Top takeaways from each rookie’s media call

Welcome to Duval, rookies! Here are all the best quotes from media calls with the Jaguars’ 2024 draft picks.

Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft has been completed with the Jacksonville Jaguars walking away with LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr, LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith, and FSU cornerback Jarrian Jones.

Just as they have in past years, the Jaguars will be streaming each day’s media calls with the new additions on YouTube.

This article will be updated as more picks are made and media calls are streamed.

Day 1 media call:

• Brian Thomas Jr

Introductory conference

In his initial post-draft media availability, Thomas Jr expressed his prior excitement in potentially being drafted by the team. He stated that he was first aware that he was on the team’s radar after his top 30 draft visit.

“I knew that it was a chance when I went on my Top 30 visit, I was pretty confident after I left. I knew that there was a chance that I could get selected by the Jaguars, but I didn’t know for sure that they were going to pick me or not.”

Thomas acknowledged that he didn’t know to much about Doug Pederson and his staff before the pre-draft process. However, after meeting the staff, he had great interactions with everyone.

“I didn’t really know too much about him before all of this stuff or whatever. Ever since I met him, good vibes between me and him. Just happy to be a part of the organization, they got a great organization. Hopefully come out this season and have a great season this year.”

Thomas also stated that he grew up watching and modeling his game after former Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who had a similar body type.

“Growing up, my favorite wide receiver would have to be Julio Jones, just growing up and watching him do the things that he can do. I was kind of bigger, so I was trying to model my game after somebody who had my body type. I would say Julio Jones, he was my favorite player, or one of my favorite players; my favorite wide receiver growing up.”

Day 2 media calls:

• Maason Smith

In his initial post-draft media availability, Smith expressed his excitement to be surrounded by a supportive structure here in Jacksonville.

“I feel like for me, honestly, I don’t think it could’ve ended up any better. Not too far from home, very warm, a lot of things that I’m very much so used to. I had a great visit with the defensive coordinator [Ryan Nielsen] and the defensive line [Jeremy Garrett] coach. I actually had a relationship with the defensive line coach prior when he was at Vanderbilt University, when I was coming through high school. From the jump with the conversations that we had, it was just real. For me, I just really like to have real surrounding me, just people that aren’t going to shy away from telling me what I need to hear instead of what I want to hear. A lot of guys run from that and I run to it. Just being able to get that feel from them, and them also having a lot of confidence in me and the abilities that I bring to the game. My defensive coordinator is also there, from this past year, Matt House [Inside Linebackers Coach]. That’s my guy, that’s been my guy since he got to LSU. I’m just fortunate enough to be around him. My dog, BT [WR Brian Thomas Jr.], we’re going to rock the world and we’re going to do what we got to do.”

When discussing his recovery from his 2022 season opener left knee anterior cruciate ligament injury, Smith provided this update.

“I definitely will say this is the best I’ve felt since my knee injury. I felt like through the Pro Day and the combine testing and everything like that, people being able to see me move, I felt like it showed that I didn’t miss a beat. It was tough for me coming back this year, not necessarily playing the way I know I can and up to my ability. Just being able to take the coaching and take the constructive criticism, continuing to progress and get better every single week. That’s all it was for me. With a great coach, Pete Jenkins [LSU Defensive Line Coach], he brought me along and allowed me to get back to things, get back to doing things the right way technically wise and schematically wise. At the end of it, I felt great”

As a final note, I just love Maason’s answer on why his name is spelled with two As. His parents need a podcast, because this is the truly the pinnacle of petty that I hope to achieve someday.

“I wish I could get my mom in the room with me. I honestly don’t know, I’ve asked the question because I’ve gotten the question plenty of times. I think it was just attested to my dad. So, when I was being birthed by my mother, she had a coworker that was pregnant and she was naming her son Mason as well. My pops didn’t necessarily like the other dad. My older brother’s name is Malcolm II, and my pops name is Malcolm. My dad told my mom that if she’s going to name his son Mason, then you got to change it. It can’t be spelled like him. That’s where the double A comes in, it’s very unique. I’ve never seen it in any place else. A lot of people honestly think it’s a typo when they see it. It aint a typo, it aint a typo.”

• Jarrian Jones

In his initial post-draft media availability, Jones explained what went through his mind when ge saw the 904 area code pop up onhis phone during the draft.

“Man, when I saw that number pop up I was so happy because playing for the Jaguars has been a dream of mine. Just being able to stay in Florida and play for those guys man, it’s nothing short of a blessing.”

He continued,

“Growing up I was a big Maurice Jones-Drew guy, big Maurice Jones-Drew guy. Like I was a superfan of him. I watched just about every game that he played. When Jalen [CB Jalen Ramsey] went there from Florida State, I was tuned into every game. Him playing inside, outside, just what he brought to the game. I kind of fell in love with the Jaguars while Jalen was there, especially while Maurice Jones-Drew was there. Just now me being able to continue that Florida State pipeline and come in, make plays, do what I do best, it’s a blessing man.”

Jones, one of the better press man corners in this draft is a perfect fit to man the slot for the Jaguars, as he explains.

“Me. I hear press-man coverage, I hear Jarrian Jones. That’s my type of game, I like to be up in your face playing football. I’m a physical football player, instinctive football player that loves to make plays from every position in the secondary. I just think me being able to come in and add what I can and learn from those guys in the room, being able to add my two sense whatever that may be and make plays. I just want to make plays.”

Day 3 media calls:

• TBD