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Marvin Jones Jr. plays with confidence for Florida State football, his dream school
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- Marvin Jones Jr. plays with confidence for Florida State football, his dream school
Florida State football's Spring Showcase Saturday was the first time edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. was in an FSU uniform.
It didn't take too long for Jones to feel at home.
Because FSU is home for the Georgia transfer.
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Jones Jr. is the son of former FSU great and 10-year NFL veteran Marvin Jones Sr. He shared many childhood memories at Doak Campbell , including meeting one of his favorite NFL players and running back Davin Cook.
"Really, my first few days out here in January kind of hit me. It's where I grew up," Jones said. "But I will also say that meeting Dalvin was the coolest (memory)."
While Jones Jr. cherished the old memories at FSU, he wants to create new memories with the Seminoles.
"It was an unbelievable feeling, actually," Jones said.
"Growing up, it's always been my dream school, so to be able to run out there in the garnet and gold was unbelievable for sure."
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More: Running backs, defense highlight FSU football's Spring Showcase | Takeaways
Physicality, high confidence part of Jones' game
After transferring from Georgia in January, Jones made his presence known throughout the offseason.
Saturday's showcase was no different.
He was the leader in pressure for the Seminoles' defensive front, recorded two sacks, and almost got a turnover during 11-on-11 drills.
Jones stresses about playing physically. It is part of his mindset, especially now he is likely to lead FSU's defensive front.
"I think the biggest thing is being physical," Jones said.
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"That goes for any play, and not just playing for the run. You got guys who are 300 pounds who are trying to kill you. So you have to have that killer mindset and try to be physical that will help us against the run game."
Jones mentioned he sees no difference between his transition as an outside linebacker to defensive end.
However, from a schematic standpoint, he knows there are further adjustments that need to be made to his game.
But for the 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound junior, football is still football.
"At the end of the day, it's still football no matter what," Jones said.
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"Outside linebacker and D-end are kind of the same thing. I feel like we just got to be physical, get off the ball."
"Obviously the playcalling and things like that, it's going to take some time to get used to, but we're just football at the end of the day."
One thing that Jones does not shy away from is confidence.
As he explained following the Showcase, his level of confidence makes him a better player, if not the best player on the field.
"That's always been my biggest thing, coming to college and playing with confidence," Jones said.
"I feel like when I'm always as confident as I can be, I play my best. I think every day, I'm the best player on the field whenever I touch the field. I think my confidence just gives me a little boost every play, for sure."
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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Playing at Doak Campbell Stadium a dream come true for Marvin Jones Jr.
