Nic Jones, CB Ball State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Jones was a three-star recruit from Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology in Southfield, Mich. in the class of 2019

Ball State cornerback Nic Jones is one of many small-school prospects who will be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. He will begin his career as a special teams ace before potentially seeing work as a rotational defensive back taking snaps out wide and in the slot.

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Nic Jones, CB Ball State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fourth year junior outside corner from Detroit, Mich.

Background: Jones was a three-star recruit from Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology in Southfield, Mich. in the class of 2019. He was the No. 1,642 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,583 for On3.com. Jones was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals. He was an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN and didn’t receive a grade out of 100. Jones committed to Ball State over offers from Akron and Western Michigan. In high school, Jones earned Second-Team All-League honors. As a senior, he totaled three interceptions, four passes defensed, and three forced fumbles.

2022 Production: 11 games, 23 tackles, 2 interceptions, 12 passes defensed

2021 Production: 6 games, 17 tackles, 1 interception, 3 passes defensed

2020 Production: 8 games, 6 tackles

2019 Production: 12 games, 18 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 4 passes defensed

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed seven games in 2021 with a season-ending injury, went back to speak with young students at Bates Academy in Detroit after the 2022 season

Awards: 2019 Ball State John Hodge Award, 2022 Second-Team All-MAC

Pros: Special teams experience on the kick return, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units, some upside as a kick returner, legitimate threat to block punts, experience playing outside and in the slot, arm length, hips are fluid with little to no tightness, adequate foot speed, above-average ball skills, displays instincts and a strong feel for his role in zone coverage, impressive understanding of leverage and putting himself in position to deter or break up passes, reads the quarterback’s eyes to jump routes, patient in press to avoid losing early in the rep, willing to mix it up with receivers early in the route, compresses outside releases along the sideline, anticipates and fights through blocks to counter WR screens

Cons: Only one season with more than 300 defensive snaps, five penalties committed in 2022, lean frame, doesn’t appear to have ideal deep speed, lacks recovery speed, competition level, missed tackles, dives low for tackles and doesn’t wrap up, slides off tackle attempts, takes questionable angles to the ball, struggles to disengage from WR blocks, loses the size battle at the catch point, can be physically outmatched at the catch point, punches in press need to be firmer and more accurate, gives a significant cushion in off man, bites on double moves and gets turned around, struggles to stay attached to crossing routes, doesn’t get his head around for the ball, quick to open his hips and allow wide receivers to cross his face

Overview: Jones took official measurements at the Shrine Bowl. He’s 5116 and weighs 191 lbs. He has 9 7/8-inch hands, 32 1/4-inch arms, and a 77 5/8-inch wingspan. Jones primarily aligned to the left side of Ball State’s defense, regardless of whether it was the boundary or field side. He gained significant experience in press coverage with the Cardinals while almost evenly splitting his coverage reps between man and zone concepts. Jones has significant special teams experience on the kick return, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units. If he sees the field early in his NFL career, it will likely come as a special teamer. He has some experience and upside returning kicks and is a legitimate threat to block punts. Jones primarily played outside corner over the past three years, but he gained significant experience as a slot corner during his freshman season. Physically, Jones has long arms, fairly fluid hips, and adequate foot speed. He displays above-average ball skills at the catch point. Jones showcases instincts in zone coverage and has a strong understanding of his responsibility in these concepts. He has an impressive understanding of leverage and knows how to put himself in position to deter or break up passes. Jones reads the quarterback’s eyes to jump routes. The All-MAC cornerback is patient in press to avoid losing early in the rep but is also willing to be physical with receivers early in the route. He compresses outside releases along the sideline. Jones anticipates and fights through blocks to counter wide receiver screens. Unfortunately, the Michigan native only has one season with more than 300 defensive snaps under his belt. He committed five penalties in 2022. The former three-star recruit battles some physical limitations. He has a lean frame and lacks deep speed and recovery speed to handle burners. Jones’ combination of speed and strength looked much more dominant against MAC competition than against Tennessee in 2022. The Volunteers employ a lot of plays and principles that put defenses at a disadvantage. Even looking beyond the benefits of Tennessee’s scheme, it was clear some Volunteer receivers possessed significant speed and strength advantages over Jones. Even at a lower competition level, Jones struggled with missed tackles. He dives low on ball carriers instead of wrapping up and sometimes slides off tackles because of his limited play strength. The fourth-year junior takes questionable angles to the football as a run defender. He struggles to fight through or disengage from wide receiver blocks. Jones can be physically outmatched at the catch point by larger receivers, especially in the red zone. His punches in press coverage need to be firmer and more accurate. Jones gives receivers a significant cushion in off man, sometimes surrendering the first down without a fight. He bites on double moves and gets turned around. Jones’ speed prevents him from consistently staying attached to crossing routes. He frequently doesn’t get his head around for the ball. Jones is quick to open his hips, which allows wide receivers to cross his face and turn him around.

Overall, Jones was a highly productive corner in his one season with significant snaps for Ball State, but he lacks the speed and strength to contribute on an NFL defense immediately. Jones currently projects as a mid to late Day 3 pick who sees action early in his career as a versatile special teamer and reserve hybrid nickel/field corner.

Role & Scheme Fit: Field corner in a zone-heavy scheme with some reps in press

Round Projection: Mid Sixth to Early Seventh

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 02-23-23