Derrick Jones attempts to intercept a pass intended for LSU wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) during the game earlier this season.
TYLER JACKSON | The Daily Mississippian
True freshman defensive back Derrick Jones has found himself in an interesting spot. The Eupora native was a three-star wide receiver, according to all major recruiting services coming out of high school, and was named first team All-State his senior season. But now, Jones sits on his own island at cornerback for Ole Miss and has most likely found a permanent home.
At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Jones is easily the tallest cornerback on the team, and that is exactly why Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff made the transition. However, the Rebels had already planned during his recruitment to use Jones on the defensive ball, but at safety.
“I was hoping he would be a safety,” Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said. “Glad to have him as a corner. I didn’t realize he had the hips that he has and the speed. A lot of times, long guys like that struggle with change of direction, but he’s got all those things. He will make a bunch of money some day.”
Although the future appears bright for Jones, he still has a ways to go as far as getting adjusted to college football, learning everything about the position and, of course, getting game action under his belt.
“Derrick is doing a good job,” co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Jason Jones said. “He’s coming along. He’s still young and learning the position, but he is very athletic and he is a hard worker and competitor. He’s making tremendous strides, and I think he is going to have a bright future at corner.”
Jones didn’t have long to prepare for his move to corner and was thrown into live action with his first start in Ole Miss’ 41-38 loss to Texas A&M six weeks ago. However, he has become a critical piece of the Rebels’ secondary in that short amount of time. In the six games Jones has played this season, he has racked up 22 total tackles, one of which went for a loss. Although the time has been short and the experience isn’t much, the Ole Miss staff said they have only seem improvement from him.
“I love his progress,” Freeze said. “I love his attitude. I love his skill set. I think he’s a special talent. He still makes a lot of mistakes, but he’s going to have to play a lot of snaps for us Saturday.”
Although Jones has lined up against some of the best the Southeastern Conference has to offer in Texas A&M and LSU, it is in this weekend’s matchup against No. 8 Missouri that he will be called upon to do the most.
The Tigers’ top three receivers stand 6-foot-5 (Marcus Lucas), 6-foot-6 (Dorial Green-Beckham) and 6-foot-4 (L’Damian Washington), which creates one of the biggest mismatches the Rebels will face this season. However, at 6-foot-3, Jones could be part of the answer in stopping the talented Missouri receiving core.
“His size is definitely a plus,” Jones said. “He can line up and play with those guys. Having big corners is always a plus, so he is going to be a guy that is going to help us out.”
True freshmen may be expected to make an impact right away, but Jones’ name was never next to the likes of Robert Nkemdiche, Laquon Treadwell, Tony Conner or Laremy Tunsil. But in the end, it could be Jones who ends up easily exceeding expectations and stealing some limelight.
“I’ve got a lot more out of him then I ever expected this year,” Wommack said. “He’s just gotten better and better each and every week. He’s still a baby, but I’m just very pleased with him and excited about it.”
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-Matt Sigler
mcsigler@go.olemiss.edu
