Maybe it was the familiarity of the location that gave former MSU linebacker, Taiwan Jones, the much needed edge to improve his results from February’s NFL draft combine.
Or maybe it was the low top gold plated cleats. Regardless, this past Wednesday’s pro day at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building could have wiped away the disappointment that came way from Jones’ performance at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Blame it on a lack of comfort, as to why the senior’s results didn’t reflect on a productive final year while donning the green and white. The 6-foot-3, 252 pounder ran his 40-yard dash at 4.95 while recording a 32 inch vertical leap and 19 bench reps.
“Just the name,” Jones said when asked about what makes Indianapolis so intimating. “You got a lot of teams there and a lot more people there than it was here. It’s nerve wrecking because you go through a lot of things over the week and your last day is testing, so you have to deal with that.”
Flash forward two months later, an environment that has been a a part of Jones’ life for the entirety of his college career was the site of significant improvement on all major categories.
The most noteworthy of the improvements was his 40 time, improving it to 4.71 in front of scouts from all 32 NFL franchises and a few general managers and head coaches, including Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chip Kelly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I feel like coming back here and having a couple of weeks of training helped,” Jones said. “And seeing your boys cheering you on really helped a lot.”
While it may have not been the fastest time recorded among the participants, it’s an upgrade that has impressed personnel at the next level.
Jones concluded his senior year in East Lansing by recording 60 tackles, including a career-high, 12.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks at the “Mike” linebacker position.
Jones said following the drills that he has set up workouts with the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and a few others.
Projected to be a fifth round selection as the No. 9 rated linebacker in this year’s class by CBS Sports, Jones admitted that he doesn’t watch or follow along with draft boards, to avoid sorrow or distress.
“I try to not look at that too much,” Jones said. “Just trying to not put that in my head, which happens to a lot of guys, get disappointed or discouraged, so I try to stay positive all the time.”
