FSU football: Jarrian Jones looking to prove doubters wrong in 2022

FSU football fans can be your biggest supporters or your biggest detractors. It all depends on how the players perform between the lines.

I suppose that’s the beauty of playing at a big-time football program with a history of playing at the highest level. Former Mississippi State transfer defensive back Jarrian Jones has first-hand experience with how things work.

Jones felt the ire of FSU football fans last year when he had a mostly disappointing 2021 season. Jones played in all 12 games but wasn’t anywhere near 100 percent healthy, and that’s something the casual fans won’t know as they only tune in on game days.

However, I’m someone that knew he may not have been 100 percent, yet I still felt his play fell far below expectations. Jones finished the year with 22 tackles, one interception, two pass deflections, and .5 tackles for a loss.

He seemed to consistently get beat on plays or looked lost in coverage. However, his interview above provided some sound reasoning as to why he struggled so much and wants to use the 2022 season as proof that he’s much better than what we saw last year. Jones said he felt like he played catchup all year, missing 3-4 months and immediately having to play in the season opener against Notre Dame.

That speaks to the lack of depth the Noles had early last season before freshmen Kevin Knowles and Omarion Cooper emerged in the secondary throughout the season. Jones has been someone that’s had a strong fall camp so far and could be an important part of the secondary if he remains healthy.

The coaching staff moved him to the nickel position, but Jones has experience at field cornerback, which would be opposite of Omarion Cooper.

For all criticizing Jones for last season(including myself), he wants us to keep that same energy when he plays well in 2022. Please play well young man, please do!