Temple's Mike Jones is prepping for the NFL draft
The graduate transfer is already a star cornerback, but will battle for playing time in crowded secondary.
Mike Jones considered entering the NFL draft but decided to attend Temple as a graduate transfer. He has learned one big lesson while going through spring practice.
"I definitely see I wasn't ready for the [NFL] this year, and there is a lot of stuff I can work on, and that is what I am getting done now," Jones said.
The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Jones was a star not only at corner but as a return man at the Football Championship Subdivision level for North Carolina Central.
He was listed as a late-round NFL prospect for this year's draft after starting 35 of 38 games and accumulating 114 tackles, 36 pass breakups and 11 interceptions.
A first-team all-MEAC at both corner and return specialist in 2014 and 2016, Jones missed most of the 2015 season because of injury and received a medical redshirt.
In a way, this spring has been a humbling experience for Jones, who was a star at his last school and is now battling for a starting spot with the Owls. Artrel Foster is one returning starter at corner, and Derrick Thomas, who saw extensive action, is a potential starter.
Plus, senior Cequan Jefferson, redshirt sophomore Kareem Ali and sophomore Linwood Crump are battling for time.
While Jones is facing competition on defense, he is going up against a talented receiving corps, among the deepest units on Temple's team. That group is led by redshirt senior Keith Kirkwood, senior Adonis Jennings and redshirt junior Ventell Bryant. They combined for 123 receptions, 2017 yards and 12 touchdowns during last year's 10-4 American Athletic Conference championship season.
"It's crazy every day because Ventell, Adonis and Keith . . . push me," Jones said. "Sometimes I lose my battles, but that is why I am here, to work and get better."
This spring has been so challenging that learning the Temple playbook hasn't been the most difficult task. Jones earned his undergraduate degree in recreational administration and is working on his master's degree in higher education.
"I am often up all night," he said. "There are a lot of papers I have to hand in and play calls I have to memorize. It is a lot."
Jones, who is from Baltimore, isn't complaining. He wanted to be challenged at a higher level. What has helped is his familiarity with new Temple cornerbacks coach Cory Robinson.
Jones and Robinson have known each other for years. Robinson was a high school assistant in the Baltimore area from 2009-2014, and he trained many athletes, including Jones.
"Mike will have a major role," Robinson said.
Jones says his familiarity with Robinson has made the transition smoother.
"I can talk to him whenever I need," Jones said. "It is a great advantage that I have a great relationship with Coach."
Jones should also play a role for the Owls as a return man. He set the North Carolina Central career punt return average, 21.0 yards, returning 31 punts for 651 yards and two touchdowns.
"I think he is a special returner," Temple head coach Geoff Collins said.
In addition to his athletic ability and veteran savvy, Collins has admired Jones' attitude.
"He was projected to be whatever round in the [NFL] draft, and he came here to kind of polish up and get an edge," Collins said. "The nice thing about Mike is he has done this very selflessly, and he hasn't come in and made it about him.
"Every single day you see him get better within the system. Playing our style of defense will be really good for him at the next level."
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