Is this a confidence booster for DE Marvin Jones Jr. for the rest of 2024?

Florida State's defensive line had seven sacks and twelve tackles for loss in their 14-9 victory versus California. It has been an uphill battle for the position unit as the team has struggled with losses to Georgia Tech, Boston College, and Memphis.

However, they finally looked like a group that could be vying for one of the better units in the country. ESPN's Pete Thamel stated in the offseason that he heard from scouts that the Seminoles' defensive line was one of the best defensive lines in the entire country.

That was huge praise for the group that lost major contributors from last season, such as Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, and Fabien Lovett Sr. to the NFL.

Florida State added pieces like Marvin Jones Jr., Sione Lolohea, Tomiwa Durojaiye, and Grady Kelly via the transfer portal this offseason. The Seminoles also returned Patrick Payton, Joshua Farmer, Darrell Jackson Jr., and Daniel Lyons.

It was obvious that Jones Jr. was the talk of the offseason since his father, Marvin "Shade Tree" Jones Sr., was a legendary linebacker who played for the Seminoles in the 1990s. The junior previously played with the Georgia Bulldogs, where he recorded 16 total tackles (six for loss) and two sacks in his two seasons in Athens.

Florida State has had a track record of getting defensive ends to produce from the transfer portal with previous players such as Jermaine Johnson II, Keir Thomas, and Jared Verse. However, the likelihood of continuing to connect on 100% of its pass rushers is unrealistic.

It was a difficult start for Marvin Jones Jr., who came into the California game with five total tackles (0.5 for loss) and zero sacks. However, it seemed like the former Georgia transfer looked to prove the doubters wrong as he accumulated four total tackles (two for loss) and two sacks against the Golden Bears.

I think that this is the confidence booster that Jones Jr. needs to be productive for the rest of the 2024 season. I hope that he produces at a high level versus SMU this upcoming Saturday.