Nic Jones: Path To The NFL Draft

By Simon Carroll

Dreaming of playing in the NFL is a common aspiration for millions of young children across the United States. Stepping out onto the field in front of thousands of fans, and participating in the greatest sport in the world – what’s not to love? For most, that’s all it will ever be – a dream. But for a select few, with hard work and dedication they have the opportunity to turn it into reality.

As far as Nic Jones is concerned, earning the job title of ‘professional football player’ was never in question. And this unwavering confidence in his own ability has led him to within touching distance of fulfilling his destiny. The former Ball State cornerback sits down with Simon Carroll to discuss his path to the NFL Draft:

"Cornerback Was Where I Was Going To Make My Money"

Detroit, Michigan. A blue collar, working class city famous for the automotive industry, Motown, square pizza, and its passion for football. Growing up as one of eight children in the Motor City, Nic Jones recollects how he first found his love of the game:

“I’ve been playing football for as long as I can remember. My big brother played, and he really got me into it. My dad used to take him to and from practice, and naturally I would tag along! And honestly, I just had a natural aptitude for it. Even back then I’d just walk out onto the field and play with those guys. I gravitated towards it – the game pulled me in right from the start.”

Enrolled at Southfield A&T High School, Jones made a beeline for the Warriors’ football team as early as possible. Possessing elite speed, he began life as a wide receiver. But it wasn’t long before people recognised he had the natural attributes to play cornerback:

“I had a growth spurt going into my junior year of high school. At that point my recruiting was kinda slow, I wasn’t a big name out there. One day we had a little football workout with some of the college coaches from division 2 schools in the area, and a couple of them commented on my frame, suggesting I’d make a good defensive back. My high school coach, who coordinated all of our recruiting, kind of agreed – and from that moment it was decided. I was a little over six foot, had long arms; it became obvious cornerback was where I was going to make my money. I switched, and I never looked back.”

Many high school football stars have defined ideas about the position they want to play. But even from such a young age, Jones demonstrated a different mindset – football was a business, and he wanted in:

“I just wanted to make it. I didn’t really care where I played. I’d be a kicker if necessary. I was willing to do anything.”

Muncie: A Home From Home

The move to defense paid immediate dividends. Jones was so effective as a long, lean cornerback he was named a three-star recruit, despite just two years playing the position. A host of Mid-West programs showed their interest, and three schools offered him a scholarship. But despite some closer destinations, Jones decided to head four hours south to Muncie, Indiana:

“It was a really quick decision. Ball State was my first offer – they had a coach out there that I really admired, his name was Alex Bailey. I wasn’t one of those guys who was blessed to be able to take lots of visits, or go to those super college camps, they were too expensive and too time consuming. So the few visits I did take, I focused on those local MAC schools, and Ball State was where I visited the most. I just like it there – there was a lot of stability, and I liked the way they structured the program. I was never about history or championships and that kinda stuff. I would be concerned about winning once I got there. Ball State had a plan for me, a course I was interested in for my degree, and my mom liked it. It was a no brainer; I got the offer in April, and I was committed by June.”

Quite often, interviews with draft prospects can follow a certain script. But I’m learning that Jones is built different. Relaxed and thoughtful, he’s not afraid to answer questions frankly; where others would display humility, Jones shows conviction. As a freshman at Ball State, Nic earns the confidence of his coaches and earns playing time quickly. When I asked him what it was that allowed him to be productive early in his college career, he was forthright with his opinion:

“I had the confidence. I knew I was good enough to play at Ball State, and play early. I had no worries about how old I was, or how long my teammates had been on campus; I was convinced I could carve out a role on this team. So I took that mindset into work every day, the way I trained, how I prepared – and when they called my name, I was ready to contribute.”

Balling Out At Ball State

2020 was a tough year for most people on the planet. But it was a season to remember for Ball State, who reel off seven wins in a row and win the MAC Championship game at Ford Field – in Nic Jones’ home city of Detroit. It was a bittersweet moment for the sophomore, who had really begun to be a playmaker on this football team:

“It was definitely cool for me to win a MAC Championship in my hometown. None of my friends or family could attend because of the pandemic, which was an obvious disappointment. But to know that they were all watching me do my thing, to be successful, it was a proud moment.”

They weren’t done there either, as the Cardinals won the Arizona Bowl and finished the season ranked by the Associated Press. Jones blocked a punt in that bowl game which helped the program achieve something they had never done before – win a postseason game. I suggest that this was the moment he knew he had the ability to play in the NFL, but Jones’ self-belief is infectious:

“I’d say that moment came in my freshman year. Even before my first start, before the big plays in the pivotal games, I felt ready. They knew I would be one of ‘the guys’, and I knew it too. I had professional ambitions from day one, and whilst I never got too big headed or rested on my laurels, I played with that swagger and confidence. But I needed that freshman year, playing behind guys, playing the slot, playing special teams. Earning your stripes isn’t easy, and it showed the value of hard work. But that sophomore year, taking a bigger role and having that unprecedented success, it was special.”

Polishing The Product

2021 was probably the first time that Nic Jones encountered serious adversity in his football career. As a junior, he was now an established leader in the Cardinals’ secondary. But an injury saw him miss the last seven games of the season. Jones opts to avoid a pity-party, instead going into detail about how the experience helped him in ways he never knew he needed:

“I would never say that I ‘needed’ to get hurt, but I definitely needed to slow down my thoughts. I felt like I was progressing quickly and maybe getting ahead of myself, and missing some of the small details that I was able to add to my game through my rehab. It changed my perspective a little bit, and allowed me to admire some mental aspects of the game a little more. I began to appreciate the time and preparation that went into training and game-planning; I had like eight months from when I got hurt to when the next season began, whereas previously it was seven days between games. I learned a lot, not only about my health and being prepared personally, but about the bigger team picture too.”

No injury was going to derail this journey. Whilst a lot of student-athletes wrestle with the decision to leave school or stick around for an extra year (redshirt or COVID), Jones was even more steadfast in his focus on the NFL. After three seasons, he was ready to use his senior year to polish his product and bring down the curtain on an impressive college career:

“Once I got healthy, I had an idea that 2022 would be my last year in Ball State. I kept a good eye on it throughout the season, gathering information about the draft process and my standing in the class. But once I hit that middle stretch of games, how well my game had developed and how I was playing, I knew I wasn’t coming back. I just made sure I finished the job individually how I wanted to, and I’m proud of my college career.”

Special Teams, Special Coaches

Nic Jones might just be the most confident draft prospect I have ever interviewed. But that’s not to say he’s cocky, or quick to forget those that have helped him become the player he is today. Reminiscing about his time at Muncie, Jones tells me about some of the coaches who have helped him on his football journey:

“(Head) Coach Neu, he definitely set the standard and culture at Ball State. He’s big on sticking to our principles; who we are, building the foundations and getting better every day. On defense, I saw a variety position coaches during my time at Ball State, a different guy each of the first three years as the staff moved around a bit. That helped me learn different things, but I think my biggest jump came from my junior to senior year, when Coach (Tyler) Stockton was permanent defensive coordinator. That guy is a fiery dude you know! He can get anybody to play for him. And at that same time, I had continuity with Coach (Vic) Hall as my position coach too. I had learned a lot, the tools were all there, but I needed somebody to help me put it all together. Coach Hall helped me to grow mentally and refine my game. He was also a big presence in my rehab from injury too. He was always in my corner, and it wasn’t just football too – I made a real personal connection with him. And that makes a big difference – you’ll always play harder for a guy like that.”

Jones’ single dedication to achieving his football dream has allowed him to appreciate any opportunity he gets to prove himself. He played special teams every year he was at Ball State, something he mentions more than once during our time together. He’s fully aware that versatility, value, and a willingness to do things others aren’t will make him stand out amongst the crowd. Special Teams is the gateway to an NFL career, and Jones takes those duties as seriously as he does being a cornerback:

“At Ball State, they don’t play around on special teams. Everyone thinks that’s the job you do whilst you’re waiting to move up the depth chart. But it’s not; you gotta earn a spot on those units. It doesn’t matter what situation – walking out on that field is a privilege that isn’t just handed to you. I played special teams with pride.”

Shining At The Shrine Bowl

Nic Jones leaves Ball State in good standing, after dedicating himself to the Cardinal cause for the past four years. 64 tackles, 19 pass breakups and three interceptions in 29 games attest to that. But make no mistake, the impressive resume he’s put together in Muncie has been designed with the NFL in mind from day one. His exploits have not gone unnoticed by the draft community, and he was delighted to be invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier this year. Jones expressed a gratitude to Eric Galko and the staff for the opportunity, as well as the coaching he received in Las Vegas:

“I probably spoke to twenty-something teams that week. But I will say this – playing under that Patriots staff in Las Vegas, the way they operate – they’re a different level. It’s one thing to act like a pro, but it’s another thing to be a Patriot; they would hammer down on the finer details. The culture was like Ball State 2.0; special teams, accountability, team-centric mentality – they would preach all the things that I already kinda valued, but it really showed me that in the NFL, it’s on a scale five times greater than college. It’s a job now – and I really appreciated the opportunity to work with them down there. Things I learned at the Shrine Bowl, I’ll be able to take with me wherever I go come April.”

It’s fair to say that Jones shined during his week at Allegiant Stadium. He was named ‘most improved player’ by the Patriots staff, and was able to record an interception in the game. Whilst Nic is confident in his own ability, he was delighted to be able to impress in front of people who will determine his destiny:

“I really enjoyed the competition out there. Playing with different dudes with similar ambitions, testing myself against the best. And I think it turned out pretty well. It was fun! I got some good exposure, and working with Bill Belichick was a privilege. He’s definitely about his business – he didn’t say many words, but when he did he commanded everyone’s attention.”

Final Auditions

After improving his draft stock at the Shrine Bowl, Nic Jones has two more opportunities to show NFL teams what he can do. First up is the Combine in Indianapolis at the end of the month, before heading back to Ball State for his pro day in March. Working out at XPE Sports in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jones knows exactly what he’s striving for when all eyes are on him:

“I was grateful to get a combine invite. It came pretty late, but I’m happy for another opportunity to showcase myself to NFL Scouts. I want to show these guys that I’m a plus athlete. I’m pretty sure teams will think I’m a good athlete, but I have the chance to show them I’m a great one. I have elite movement, and when it comes the time to show it, I’m ready to check those boxes. And after the Shrine Bowl experience, I’m ready for more one-to-ones with coaches and scouts, demonstrate to them my passion for football, my character, and my application to the game. I’m going to sell myself to them, explain why they should take a shot on me.”

Who better then, than for his hometown team to give him that opportunity? I ask Jones what it would mean to wear the Honolulu Blue:

“Whatever happens it will be a dream, but I would love to head home to Detroit. I want to play for whoever wants me most, but playing for the Lions – I can’t explain just how big that would be for me. They were my team when I was a kid, they’re still my team now watching them just miss the playoffs a few weeks ago! They might not be my team much longer, but they’ll always be special to me.”

"This Game Is Everything To Me"

NFL Draft Weekend represents the culmination of everything that Nic Jones has strived for ever since he followed his brother onto that football field sixteen years ago. So it’s no surprise to hear his plans for the occasion. Jones knows he’s within touching distance of realising his dreams, but even someone as self-assured as this talented cornerback can acknowledge that it feels a little surreal:

“I’m gonna have a relaxed party with my people, get all my friends and family together. Back up in Detroit, get some good food going. I want to enjoy that moment with the people I love, those guys who have always supported me. Because when that moment comes, they all know how much it means to me – a combination of hard work and sacrifice since I was five years old. This game is everything to me, and playing in the NFL has been the only dream. Never have I ever wavered; there was never a time that if you asked me ‘are you going to the league?’ I would have answered no. And to see it all unfold you know… – I don’t feel close to it yet though. I know I’ve given myself a real chance at it, but I’m not taking anything for granted. There’s still work to be done before I get to have that moment.”

Nic Jones: Confident? Sure. Complacent? Absolutely not.

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST.

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A huge thank you to Nic for taking the time to talk to us. Everyone at The Touchown wishes him well in his future career.