Greg McElroy Calls Out Chris Jones
Mississippi State junior defensive tackle Chris Jones is expected to be a regular starter for the first time in 2015. That’s pretty surprising considering the former 5-star’s talent level. Being a starter or not may have been a technicality with two seniors ahead of him, but he hasn’t exactly put up gaudy stats in either of his first two years in Starkville.
SEC Network analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy weighed in on Chris Jones at SEC Media Days…
"When I put on the film and watch Mississippi State, Chris Jones as talented as he is doesn’t play every snap.He has the capability of being maybe the best defensive lineman in the SEC if he plays 100% of the time. Motor is my challenge to Chris Jones.Right now, it’s put up or shut up time when all we’ve heard about is how great he is and he has disappointed me."
Those are strong words from a former national championship winner and NFL QB. And I have to say I agree with them.
More from Mississippi State Football
- Meeting the Opponent: Week 4 – South Carolina Gamecocks
- Mississippi State football vs LSU: The good, bad, and ugly
- The Wednesday Wrap: Maybe Mississippi State Football Coach Zach Arnett shouldn’t do it his way
- Mississippi State football history vs. South Carolina: Records, streaks, and more
- Mississippi State football bowl projections after Bulldogs crushed by LSU
Chris Jones is a phenomenal athlete who has displayed just unreal power and strength over a handful of plays. But he has yet to break through and show the coaching staff he should be in the game all the time. Be a starter – be a leader.
Hopefully Jones is ready to step up. As McElroy said, it’s put up or shut up time. “The money year”. Chris Jones could probably go through the motions and get drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round next year. He’s just so talented a NFL team will invest in him despite a lack of production in college. If there’s no drive to be the best in his heart, just a contentment to ride your God-given abilities, that’s what we’ll get.
But if Chris Jones wants to be the best, he can be. And he can make himself a boatload of money by becoming a force on Mississippi State’s defensive line.
2015 is the year for Chris Jones to make his mark on the SEC. His time to shine at Mississippi State. Let’s see it.