Jarvis Jones Scouting Report OLB Georgia Bulldogs

This is our Jarvis Jones scouting report. Jones is a redshirt sophomore for the Georgia Bulldogs who could be the first OLB drafted in the rather weak 2012 draft (weak for 34 OLB that is). Jones has a lot of ability and a lot of potential, redshirt sophomore Aldon Smith was the first 34 OLB drafted last year as well (because Von Miller went to a 43 team: the Denver Bronc0s).

Jones originally started out as a linebacker for the USC Trojans in 2009, transferred and sat out all of 2010 and is playing his first full season as a starter with the Georgia Bulldogs.

In 2011 Jones has absolutely insane production.

For all of our other scouting reports go to our scouting report page

Measurables

6’3 225 pounds (from his bio page, seems at least a  little heavier than that)

(combine numbers will be posted when they become available, but expect them to be good)

Stats:

2011:

2010:

Sat out after transferring from USC

Pros: excellent athletic ability…serious burst off the line of scrimmage…incredible upside..an insane amount of production in 2011…plays with a lot of anger against the pass and the rush…good wrap up tackler…has a good bull rush…plays with good leverage consistently…has the athletic ability and fluidity to drop back into coverage and be effective…Lays some punishing blows…Fantastic motor…Long arms

 cons: Has some problems disengaging from blocks in the run game at times, but generally does a good job of stacking and shedding to get to the ball carrier…Needs more seasoning in his pass rushing repertoire…could stand to get bigger…inexperienced needs to continue refining his technique in pass coverage…Transferred to USC because of a neck injury in his freshman year that he couldn’t get medically cleared by the Trojans medical staff

Player comparison: James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers

In one of my weekly Q and A’s with Dan Kadar of Mocking the draft, Kadar compared him to James Harrison and I think that’s an apt comparison. I think Jones has more pure ability than Harrison does and also has longer arms. There are some differences though. Harrison plays with absolutely terrific leverage and is much more solidly built. Harrison is 6′ 242 pounds, Jones is taller and leaner. Harrison also has a fantastic work ethic and mental toughness…this remains to be seen with Jones, there aren’t any questions about his work ethic, but we’ll see how he responds to the rigors of the N.F.L. if he works hard he could be very successful in the N.F.L. It’s likely Jones draft range will also be dependent at least some on his medical evaluation.

Thoughts:

All year I’ve been wondering who is going to step up and take the reins to become the top 34 OLB, and that player has been Jarvis Jones. Jones has been extremely productive this year because of his non stop motor and pure physical abilities. Jones could use a lot of refinement and also add a little weight. When good offensive linemen get their long arms on him he has trouble getting off the blocks, but he generally does a good job of using his hands to stack and shed offensive linemen. He’s so quick off the ball when he’s rushing the passer that he is able to get his arms into the OT quickly and bull rush him, much like Von Miller. Jones drops back into coverage for the Bulldogs now and you can see his athleticism, but he needs to continue to work on his drops. Jones could be the first 34 OLB drafted in 2012 if he comes out, which means that he could be a top 15 selection.

Bio (as of 11/25/2011)

Career Highs: 11 tackles vs. No. 5 Boise State in 2011

2011: Appeared in 11 games making 11 starts.
*Recorded seven tackles, including 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass break-up vs. Kentucky.
*Had five tackles, including two sacks, vs. No. 24 Auburn.
*Had two tackles vs. New Mexico State.
*Named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Payer of the Week, Walter Camp Award Defensive Player of the Week, CFPA National Defensive Player of the Week, SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week and the Rivals.com SEC Player of the Week after he recorded five tackles, including four sacks, the second most in school history for a single game vs. Florida; also forced a fumble.
*Named one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award and to the Nagurski Award Watch List.
*Recorded six tackles, including one for a loss, at Vanderbilt.
*Named to Phil Steel’s 2011 Midseason All-SEC First Team.
*Had five tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, at Tennessee.
*Registered five tackles, including a pair of sacks, vs. Mississippi State.
*Recorded three tackles, including a sack, and had a pass break-up at Ole Miss.
*Had three tackles vs. Coastal Carolina.
*Recorded six tackles vs. No. 12 South Carolina.
*Second on the team with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, vs. No. 5 Boise State.
*Recorded a tackle for loss in spring G-Day game.
*Recipient of the Ken & Jody Jackson Family Football Scholarship.

Video

Georgia D vs South Carolina Offense (JoshMTD on youtube)

Vs Boise State (Browns or bust on youtube)