FSU football: Jarrian Jones will play in the Orange Bowl vs UGA

FSU football has had a difficult month of December filled with many obstacles of adversity. The Seminoles were snubbed by the College Football Playoff where they received the No. 5 ranking, could potentially lose five-star defensive end prospect Armondo Blount to the Miami Hurricanes, and redshirt junior wide receiver Johnny Wilson announced that he was skipping the Orange Bowl versus Georgia, and declaring for the NFL Draft.

On Friday afternoon, Florida State redshirt senior cornerback Jarrian Jones announced that he would play in the Orange Bowl versus the Bulldogs on Saturday, December 30th at 4:00 PM EST before he heads to the NFL.

I am surprised that we have not heard more announcements where they are deciding to play in the Orange Bowl from key players with high draft stocks such as Keon Coleman and Jared Verse.

It is a bittersweet moment for the former Mississippi State transfer. Jones has been through the highs and the lows during his playing career with the Seminoles. During a press conference during the 2022 season, he discussed about proving the doubters wrong.

It seemed like the talented defensive back could never catch a break with injuries. However, the veteran exemplified the term "response" that head football coach Mike Norvell preaches and went out there and competed at the highest level.

In the 2023 season, Jones competed for playing time against redshirt junior Greedy Vance Jr. at the nickel cornerback position. The coaching staff raved about Vance Jr.'s performance during the spring, but Jones started to find his rhythm in the fall, leading to him taking the starting position.

He did not disappoint the coaching staff's decision to name him the starter as he recorded 25 total tackles and three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown).

It was amazing to see Jarrian thrive through the challenging times and see the light at the end of the tunnel. We at ChopChat want to wish him nothing but the best as he enters this next chapter of his life.