Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia Bulldogs: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Nov 3, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) in the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 245 pounds

Position Rank: 1

Drafted By: Pittsburgh Steelers (1st round, 17th overall)

40 Yard Dash:  DNP

Bench Press:  DNP

Vertical Jump:  DNP

Broad Jump:  121

2012 Statistics

Career Highlights

2012: Named Defensive Co-MVP at the conclusion of spring practice.

2011: Finalist for the Butkus Award and winner of the CFPA Elite Linebacker Trophy.
*First Team All-American by Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA, Walter Camp, ESPN.com, Phil Steele and Sports Illustratedand Second Team All-American by Yahoo Sports and Rivals.com.
*First Team All-SEC by Associated Press, ESPN.com, Phil Steele and SEC Coaches.
*Named Atlanta Sports Awards Collegiate Player of the Year.
*Elected one of the team’s defensive captains.
*Recipient of the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
*Started all 14 games recording 70 tackles including 19.5 TFL and 13.5 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles, two PBUs and 49 QBPs.
*Ranked first in the SEC and tied fifth in NCAA in sacks (0.96 per game) and first in the SEC and tied-16th NCAA in TFL (1.39 per game).
*Eight tackles, including a sack, at No. 21 Ga. Tech.
*Recorded seven tackles, including 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass break-up vs. Kentucky.
*Five tackles, including two sacks, vs. No. 24 Auburn.
*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 to Phil Steele’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.
*Against No. 5 Boise St., had a career-high 11 tackles, including 2.5 TFL.
*Named to the Nagurski Award Watch List.
*Recorded a tackle for loss in G-Day game.
*Recipient of the Ken & Jody Jackson Family Football Scholarship.

2010: Redshirted after transferring from USC.
*Member of the scout team.
*Recipient of the Paul and June Martin Football Scholarship.

2009: Saw significant action as a backup strong side linebacker and key special teamer…Appeared in the first eight games recording 13 tackles, including 1.5 for losses…Suffered a neck sprain at Oregon and was sidelined for USC’s last five games….Season-high five tackles against San Jose State.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Jarvis Jones comes into the 2013 NFL Draft with some injury/health concerns, but he’s still a phenomenal prospect. It was widely expected that he would be a top 15 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft if he came out, but he decided to return for a senior season and was one of the best players in the entire country, regardless of position. He forced seven fumbles to go along with an astounding 14.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss. He is a defensive playmaker and the only thing potentially holding him back is his health.

2011 Notes

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

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.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)