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Commitment Spotlight: Jacoby Jones

Daniel Seahorn

On the 40
Joined
Oct 15, 2015
Messages
8,458
You have to love it when a plan comes together. Just like last cycle, many worried about Texas’ recruiting efforts in the trenches and just like last cycle things are falling into place. The Longhorns recently added another Louisianimal in Many (LA) defensive end Myron Warren after he de-committed from TCU and now they have added another versatile piece that recently de-committed from another regional rival in Oklahoma.

Jacoby Jones was offered by Texas months ago, but opted to shut it down in favor of the Sooners. With defensive efforts appearing to be optional these days in Norman, Jones decided to take an official to Austin and re-open his recruitment. Jones was on hand to witness the Longhorn defense put on one of their best performances of the season against a ranked Iowa State squad and on top of that they were able to show him where he fit within the defense in the immediate future.

With Breckyn Hager, Charles Omenihu, and Chris Nelson all graduating after this season, the Texas staff needed to find a way to replenish the depth chart and they found a very capable player in Jones.

Film Analysis

Player Information

Name: Jacoby Jones

Position: DE, DT

Junior College: Butler Community College

City & State: El Dorado, KS

 Measurables

Height: 6’4

Weight:  250

40-yard: N/A

Shuttle: N/A

Vertical: N/A

 Statistics

2017:  21 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3.5 sacks

 2018: 55 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 1 FR

 Film

https://www.hudl.com/profile/9622278/Jacoby-Jones





Pros:

§  At 6’4, 250 pounds Jones possesses good size and athleticism that will allow him to be a versatile piece along the defensive line.

§  Lines up everywhere from a head up nose out to the 5 outside the tackle on tape. That kind of versatility is a big plus with how Todd Orlando likes to deploy his defensive lineman.

§  His box score stats don’t do him justice. Very disruptive player, who can do from several spots along the defensive front.

§  Doesn’t disappear when he kicks inside between the guards. Still able to stack bodies and get penetration despite giving up some size to his opponents.

§  Flashes a good get off and a nice speed to power move that includes a long arm.

§  Shows good quickness vertically and laterally on rushes and stunts. Shows the ability to get back underneath tackles when lined up outside and cause problems in the backfield.

§  Active with his hands and doesn’t rely on doesn’t rely on brute strength.

§  Shows a good motor on film and is constantly hustling to get involved plays down the field.



Cons:

·         Tends to lean on power moves as a pass rusher. Will need to do a better job of diversifying as a rusher with the step up in competition.

·         Jumps inside at times during rushes a bit prematurely at times. While that works at times, it can open rush lanes for the quarterback to escape.

·         Needs to improve on how he takes on pulling offensive linemen.

 





 
Summary

 Jacoby Jones is a 2-year junior college starter out of Butler Community College via McCluer North high school in St. Louis, MO. At 6’4, 250 pounds Jones has been a versatile defensive chess piece that has lined up at several spots along the defensive front at Butler. Jones lines up everywhere from a head up nose over the center out to the 5 tech on tape and he was active and disruptive from every single spot.  That versatility is one of the biggest positives I took away from my film review on him due to how Texas likes to deploy and use their defensive linemen in odd fronts. Jones’ quickness on stunts has potentially to be problematic for interior offensive linemen and could be a real weapon on passing downs. Along with his quickness, Jones does a good job of using his hands and does a nice job of converting speed to power in his rushes and has enough play strength to drive offensive linemen back into the pocket. Jones has the production that shows up in the box score (14 sacks) and he also has the kind that won’t, as he logs a lot of pressures and hits on the quarterback. Jones is going to make his fair share of hustle plays due to the effort he plays with consistently, as you see him often hustling down the field to get in on plays and making tackles. At this point in development I only have a few knocks on Jones given the tape I’ve seen on him. One of my critiques is that he seems to lean a little heavy on the power rushes on tape rather than fully utilizing his skillset more. I think as he continues to develop and unlocks his full potential as a rusher that he has a chance to be a real problem. On top of that, I would like to see him attack pulling offensive lineman more aggressively, which is something that is relatively minor and can be coached up in time. It’s just something worth mentioning since it could prove to be problematic if not corrected in time.​



Final Verdict

With Jones now in the boat, Texas has a rock solid defensive line group for this recruiting cycle, and just like last year things came together down the home stretch despite the hand wringing that took place from those who follow recruiting closely. At this point the staff has earned the benefit of the doubt with how they operate on the trail and they’ve certainly shown they are capable of filling out their recruiting classes with capable bodies when things aren’t looking so rosy in-state at particular positions.

With several players graduating at the position after this season, I’d expect that Jones will immediately push for playing time and even though he still has a redshirt available, he probably won’t be needing it going forward unless an injury occurs. Jones versatility will give the staff flexibility in different packages as they try to optimize their different groupings and is something that makes him such an appealing prospect . The staff has shown that they like to go with the smaller, quicker defensive linemen for their odd fronts so that they can put them on the move and create negative plays, and Jones fits that bill exactly.

With the recruiting cycle hitting the home stretch, spots are now at a premium, but Texas has a chance to net a second consecutive Top 5 recruiting class if they can close with a bang.

 
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Daniel, at that weight, is he too light to play in the middle at this level?

Otherwise, great get and someone who will contribute immediately. #1 player at his position in the nation (JUCO).

 
Daniel, at that weight, is he too light to play in the middle at this level?

Otherwise, great get and someone who will contribute immediately. #1 player at his position in the nation (JUCO).
Probably needs to add some mass so he anchors better, but he probably won’t log a ton of snaps at nose like he did at JUCO. 

 
This kid sounds almost like a clone of Malcom Roach. Roach has been banged up some this year but, is hard as heck to handle for an offensive lineman. If he’s like Roach we’ll be happy. I like that 10.5 sacks he gotten this year. Love when we get guys that can get to the QB. Good write up Daniel. It’s coming together.

 
From the film he looks like a b-backer, long and lean and can rush from the outside. I know we mostly run a odd front but he looks like the ideal 4-3 WDE/3-4 OLB. He does have some Malcolm Roach in him. Not sure what weight he was in HS and I can never tell if some can put on wt but if he is going to play with his hand in the dirt, he will need to add 10+ #s. Coming to Austin in a couple months he will have a chance to by August. Love his hudl, moves very well. Done just watch the soph mid season hudl, watch all the other game highlights, love this guys film! He will play a lot in 2019. Great analysis Daniel. 

Allows us to definitely redshirt Myron Warren and ease in Michael Williams 2018 DE(played Hs QB so imo he needs at least another year or 2 to learn DE). 

 
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From the film he looks like a b-backer, long and lean and can rush from the outside. I know we mostly run a odd front but he looks like the ideal 4-3 WDE/3-4 OLB. He does have some Malcolm Roach in him. Not sure what weight he was in HS and I can never tell if some can put on wt but if he is going to play with his hand in the dirt, he will need to add 10+ #s. Coming to Austin in a couple months he will have a chance to by August. Love his hudl, moves very well. Done just watch the soph mid season hudl, watch all the other game highlights, love this guys film! He will play a lot in 2019. Great analysis Daniel. 

Allows us to definitely redshirt Myron Warren and ease in Michael Williams 2018 DE(played Hs QB so imo he needs at least another year or 2 to learn DE). 




I am not smart enough to dispute what you say, in fact I agree mostly. I am not so sure that a guy that has not played much at a particular position in HS needs a year red shirt just to learn that position. Maybe not apples to oranges, but I remember what made the Cowboys quickly into a power house in the NFL.....They drafted(or better yet took as free agents) athletes that had not even played football in college and had them playing at All Pro level quickly....some even into the HOF....Mel Renfro, Cornell Green, Bob Hayes among them. They were light years ahead of the rest of the league when it came to scouting.

If Warren has the physical tools to play DE then I suspect he will adapt quickly. Now, getting him physically ready might take some time.

 
No idea what the cowboys did but that seems really cool, innovative. However I think that would be very hard to do these days and especially closer to the ball. As a DL you have to have technique , footwork, hand placements, learn leverages, instincts other than having a body ready to take the pounding. No impossible at all and can be learned in a relatively short time if you have the “want to.”

Mike Williams has athleticism, I haven’t seen a single college practice to know if he has any of the other things. I assume(Ass U & me) he doesn’t have any of the other things bc he didn’t play much DL in Hs. 

Myron Warren is further along than him bc he played there in Hs. But even he needs work, mostly on hand placements and technique and most importantly 240#s. 

Thays why having jucos and grad transfers are so important. To bridge the gap

 
I am not smart enough to dispute what you say, in fact I agree mostly. I am not so sure that a guy that has not played much at a particular position in HS needs a year red shirt just to learn that position. Maybe not apples to oranges, but I remember what made the Cowboys quickly into a power house in the NFL.....They drafted(or better yet took as free agents) athletes that had not even played football in college and had them playing at All Pro level quickly....some even into the HOF....Mel Renfro, Cornell Green, Bob Hayes among them. They were light years ahead of the rest of the league when it came to scouting.

If Warren has the physical tools to play DE then I suspect he will adapt quickly. Now, getting him physically ready might take some time.
Also per Wikipedia, Mel player st Oregon and was a 3 time all Pac conference player. Bob hayes started Florida A&M. Cornell Green did not play football at Utah st, did play basketball. All ran track. That’s pretty cool, like some nfl TEs recently

 
I did not know that about Hayes. I know Renfro played some at Oregon, but was a running back I think.....but he was there mostly to run hurdles.Green was indeed a BB player.

 
I just read that wikipedia article on Mel....   seems I dont remember too well....thanks for straightening me out.

 
I just read that wikipedia article on Mel....   seems I dont remember too well....thanks for straightening me out.
I didn’t know either man, just looked it up myself. They played before my time. It’s amazing for some not to play the sport and suddenly play it well at a high level. I just think it’s harder at LOS. Same thing if/when Hookfin commits. Per reports he hasn’t played much. OL/DL need seasoning for body and technique. RB(easiest, common Sanders/Cain) WR, DB are easier. 

 
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since I am a bit bored and since we were talking about early Cowboy players.....The Cowboys revolutionized the way the NFL scouted players and had quite a jump on the league until everyone else wised up....

Before Gil Brandt, NFL scouts had timed all players in 100yd dash times. Brandt reasoned that they never ran 100 yds so he timed them in the 40 yd dash. He measured vertical jumps when no one else did. The Cowboys got many,many future all pros in the late rounds of the draft.....interesting stuff...

 
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