NFL Draft Profile: Mike Jones Jr., Linebacker, LSU Tigers
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Pos: LB
Ht: 5116
Wt: 220
40: 4.63
DOB: 12/19/1998
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: IMG Academy
Eligibility: 2023
Mike Jones Jr.
LSU Tigers
One-Liner:
Gifted athlete who lined up in a number of different positions at Clemson. Fails to make an impact in the run game and does not have a clear NFL role.
Evaluation:
Displayed his versatility at Clemson, lining up as an overhang defender, WILL and even as a deep safety. Jones is a very good athlete, showing his speed to get sideline to sideline when he trusts his eyes and carrying opponents vertically. He is very quick laterally, avoiding blockers. Timing his blitz excellently, he often takes the first step right before the snap. Jones possesses the length and effort required to extend and get off blocks in space. Jones fails to play downhill as a run defender, waiting patiently and cleaning up instead of getting involved. He is a bad tackler, stopping his feet, coming in too high and letting runners make him miss. Lacking physicality, blocking backs stop him on the blitz. Jones does not possess spatial awareness to be an impact player in zone, failing to locate receivers or losing them on extended plays. Twitched up wideouts separate against his man coverage quickly and decisively. Gifted athlete with the speed required to succeed at the second level in today’s game. Jones displayed his versatility, lining up in multiple spots at Clemson. He does not make an impact as a run defender and lacks the physicality to play downhill. Jones projects as a developmental linebacker who does not offer much beyond his athleticism and will have a difficult time sticking on a practice squad without improvements as a run defender and better processing. Athleticism makes him an intriguing CFL prospect.
Grade:
7th Round
Background:
Mike Jones Jr. is coming into his second season for the Tigers coming from Clemson the other two seasons, in 2020 and 2019. In his first season at LSU, he started five games at outside linebacker and had thirty four tackles on the season. He was also a contributor for the Clemson Tigers as well where he started in seven games in 2020. He is originally from Nashville, but attended IMG Academy. And was the tenth best outside linebacker in the nation by ESPN during his high school career. Jones Jr will be looking to make an impact for the Tigers in his second season with the team.
Quotes:
"I believe I can go out and play at a high level and be anywhere you need me to be at on the field. I got a lot more reps playing inside throughout the spring, now that’s my job. It’s not like I have to learn how to do this, or this is something different from me. Every day, when I go out on that field, I’m expecting myself and I am going to demand myself to execute to my coach’s level every day, and that’s playing inside the box." -- LSU LB Mike Jones Jr. on his versatility
