Sports can be tricky sometimes. Five-star players can turn into busts overnight, and two or three-star players can turn into superstars in the right system. Oftentimes, it's the little things that make the biggest difference in a player's success or lack thereof.
Enter FSU redshirt senior defensive end Jaden Jones. Jones came to FSU via the JUCO route before the 2023 season after suffering a knee injury.
He has always had great size for the defensive end position, but he wasn't fully ready to play that season (and FSU was loaded with talent on that defense). Jones missed all of the 2024 season with an injury and had some people in his family he was close to who passed away.
It doesn't take much for a player to lose confidence. If you've never played sports at a high level, confidence is everything. FSU switching defensive coaches, Jones getting healthy, and everyone starting with a clean slate created the perfect storm for Jaden Jones to emerge in his final season in the Garnet and Gold.
He has been one of the standout players on the defense in both scrimmages in fall camp, and looks poised to take that next step to become a contributor. All it takes is one season. I can think of countless players who battled injuries and self-doubt before getting healthy and finding the confidence to become one of the better players on the team.
Jarrian Jones and Jordan Travis are two players who I think of from recent times. Fans wanted both to sit on the bench at different points in their FSU career, but both played pivotal roles in their final year in Tallahassee.
Jaden Jones has never really gotten on the field with any consistency, but has positioned himself to become a known commodity in 2025. His interview with the media on Thursday displayed a quiet confidence, humbleness, and someone ready to prove himself. There's no better time or position for a player to emerge out of nowhere and become a contributor for the Noles in 2025. I'm rooting hard for the young man to deliver the goods.