ATHENS – Chatting with several reporters for about 15 minutes between practices Tuesday, Georgia junior linebacker Jarvis Jones mentioned that he is on pace to graduate next summer.
He smiled as he realized that comment invited the sure-to-be-often-asked question: Will he stick around campus that long or leave early for the 2013 NFL draft?
“Man, we’ve got a long season ahead of us,” Jones said. “A prediction or anything in that sense -– I’m just going to let it play out. I know where you’re trying to get me to go there, but if I’m blessed to have the opportunity, I think our coaches and the Bulldog Nation will realize. But as far as now, we’re in training … and that’s what I’m focused on, making myself and my teammates better.
“The next move, man, is going to be down the road, which I don’t know what it is yet. I’m just trying to take it all in stride. You know, carpe diem and just seize the moment I have right now.”
Jones also was eligible for this year’s NFL draft (because of his redshirt season in 2010 after transferring from USC), but he never considered the option despite a splendid 2011 season in which he was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and a half-dozen other organizations.
“I think [people] know I stayed to get better, stayed to mature and become a better person outside of football,” Jones said today. “You get some people that are, like, ‘Well, I would have taken the money’, or ‘I would have [done] this.’ It ain’t all about the money. A lot of guys could have left and made money. But they … came back here here to get better, to become legends of the university. Because once football is over here, you’ll never step between the hedges again and play.
“You got to … leave everything here that you can. I think that’s what we want to do. … All the guys, they bought into it, and we believe in each other and want to do something great. All the guys don’t want to be just another name or another number that just came through here and went to the pros. We want to [put up] one of those [championship] plaques downstairs and be remembered as long as this university stands.”
RECENT REPORTS FROM UGA FOOTBALL PRACTICES:
103 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
August 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
Jarvis Jones is clearly the leader of this football team
He is working 1 on 1 with John Theus to get him ready
Theus is the real deal despite what the haters say.
With the recruits coming in next year, a lot of the current players will never see the field on the OL.
stacy Searles should mail UGA his paychecks back
Will Friend is getting it done and our OL will be the strength of this football team in 2013 and 2014
The 2012 version will be better than people think
Now starting at left tackle
August 7th, 2012
4:46 pm
Molly Ringwald
Bama=home of the T-bag special
August 7th, 2012
4:52 pm
@Now starting at left tackle ol Molly could pancake anyone on the Tech D.
GTBob
August 7th, 2012
4:53 pm
We want to [put up] one of those [championship] plaques downstairs and be remembered as long as this university stands.
If he wants to win championships then he probably should have stayed at USC.
Bama=home of the T-bag special
August 7th, 2012
5:00 pm
@GTBob if I remember the last ones USC got are in the same storage bin as Bug U’s ACC trophy…
buzzDawg
August 7th, 2012
5:00 pm
Jarvis Jones is a great athlete, a great football player but most of all, a fine young man. I hope he has an influence on his peers. He could be the spark to many more great seasons to come if his attitude begins to thrive among the players. He’ll not only be successful in the pros but in life. Go Dawgs!
Now starting at left tackle
August 7th, 2012
5:06 pm
I don’t know about Tech..I do know T-bag is a dumb axx…
GTBob
August 7th, 2012
5:23 pm
@GTBob if I remember the last ones USC got are in the same storage bin as Bug U’s ACC trophy…
Nope, they still have their AP championship trophy.
Dawg Haus
August 7th, 2012
5:28 pm
Jarvis is the man!
OldFan
August 7th, 2012
5:35 pm
Every time I get cynical about college football and UGA’s program, I’ll recall how impressed I am with Jarvis Jones and what he brings to the game and the university. He’s earning all the good that will come to him, and I hope every other player on this team sees him as the example of how a gifted athlete should handle his gifts.
GTBob
August 7th, 2012
5:44 pm
Every time I get cynical about college football and UGA’s program, I’ll recall how impressed I am with Jarvis Jones and what he brings to the game and the university.
don’t you think it is a little strange that he transferred in and seems to be a better person and football player then anyone else on the team?
Game Changer
August 7th, 2012
5:47 pm
J Jones is a speed player and pass rusher, plays hard sideline to sideline.
J Jones needs to practice the oklahoma drill each day and learn how to squared up on running backs because this is his only weakness, head up tackling, he gets pancaked by the running back, same goes for a offensive lineman that fires off at him on running play, has very hard time with straight head up plays.
Just pointing out what he needs to improve, this is the case for all our linebackers, head up plays is all our linebackers weakness.
Bama=home of the T-bag special
August 7th, 2012
5:56 pm
@Now starting at left tackle wow that was a heck of comeback . Who did you pay to come up with it? I tell you what when you turn 17 come back and then we will trade insults till then I think its your bedtime sweetie..sleep tight.
Game Changer
August 7th, 2012
5:56 pm
@dawginlex
tell us what j jones majoring in?
bubba4dawgs
August 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
I’ve just found my favorite DAWG! Let the entire Bulldog Nation stand up and yell for Jarvis Jones! I certainly hope his attitude is contagious with the rest of the team and there will be no stopping them! Jarvis knows his time for fame and fortune will abound. He’s smart in readying himself for that time. Meanwhile, enjoy the moment with him!! GO JARVIS!! GO DAWGS!!
Bug Squasher
August 7th, 2012
6:00 pm
What I find strange GTBob is how we have to hear your useless two cents about the Dawgs everyday on a UGA blog. No one cares what you think loser! Doesn’t say much for your intelligence when the team you support hasn’t beaten UGA in 10 years!! You look pathetic and jealous.
Joey
August 7th, 2012
6:01 pm
Jarvis Jones will be a great NFL professional – he has been a splendid representative of UGA, on and off the field. Can’t wait to see him on Sundays – hope the Falcons snap him up so it will be win/win for us.
Thank you Jarvis for your leadership in your time in Athens, and we UGA fans wish you another healthy, Consensus-All-American season.
Go Dawgs!
Joey
August 7th, 2012
6:18 pm
GTBob, the NCAA took away USC last Titles because of CHEATING (something you know a good bit about in the last decade), so that puts the Trojans another decade behind even UGA in the “playing for championships” category . . .
At least most CHEATERS can claim an ill-begotten Title when they were CHEATING. Your team got slapped around as soon as they got out of ACC play.
Y’all should be more like some of our neighbors – IF YA GONNA CHEAT – WIN THE DAMN TITLE!!
Bad Dawg
August 7th, 2012
6:34 pm
DawgInLex, How do you know all these things? A single game has yet to be played. If I recall the reports used to be how good Marlon Brown and Caleb King were going to be and then Saturday came and the fans were dissappointed. The offensive line is still a question mark until proved otherwise. Don’t get me wrong I’d like to believe all the stuff you are saying but no point in getting my hopes up to get let down once again.
@Gamechanger
August 7th, 2012
7:01 pm
Appreciate the coaching tips. Please notify the Dogs’ coaches so they can correct these problems. Thanks again.
SamoanDawg
August 7th, 2012
7:08 pm
We need mo’ team player like JJ. I wish others would reap from him. -
Go Dawgs! GATA!
CaliDawg
August 7th, 2012
7:09 pm
That’s leadership.
GTBob
August 7th, 2012
7:41 pm
GTBob, the NCAA took away USC last Titles because of CHEATING
Actually, USC still has their 2003 and 2004 AP titles. Plus, the NCAA does not sanction or recognize FBS college football champions, therefore they have no jurisdiction over taking away titles. Im sure they will try one day though.
GTBob
August 7th, 2012
7:47 pm
Doesn’t say much for your intelligence when the team you support hasn’t beaten UGA in 10 years!!
Im pretty sure we have beaten UGA in the last 10 years.
uncledaddy
August 7th, 2012
7:58 pm
Buffalo 17 – UGA 10
Russell Hall
August 7th, 2012
8:21 pm
Proud to call Jarvis a Bulldog!
Practice notes: Focus on freshmen kickers, Theus update, and more | UGA sports blog
August 7th, 2012
8:27 pm
[...] comments about his decision not to enter this year’s NFL draft and about the future. Click here for [...]
WestOfAthens
August 7th, 2012
8:33 pm
HBTD
Continue your path to excellence UGA. I, and many others, await the end result.
Ted Striker
August 7th, 2012
9:52 pm
He impresses every time he speaks.
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
August 7th, 2012
10:07 pm
Der derp-e derp. Derp-e dur dur derp.
Patrick
August 8th, 2012
12:44 am
GT BOB….GT beat UGA in 2008 coming from behind in a wild 45-42 game. But other than that…….nothing in last 11 years. In 2008 UGA had 18 scholly players out to season ending injury by the time GT played them.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
8:18 am
This is what I don’t get about the folks who over-react when some knucklehead screws up, and makes some broad statement about the overall direction of the player development. For every one of them, there is are 5 Jarvis Jones’ and 20 other less popular but just as mature young men who are outstanding examples of our football program, and University.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
8:28 am
Actually Bad Dog, there is a point in getting your hopes up. That’s called being a fan of a particular college football team. If getting your hope up coming into the season is not the point, what IS the point? Why would you even bother otherwise?
If all a person seeks to do is limit thier disappointment, then perhaps they need to just read the final score, then figure out who they wanted to win.
RxDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:28 am
Is Jarvis the best mental Dawg of all time? Geesh what a great attitude and mindset this young man has. AND he’s from Carver? Just another case to disprove sterotyping. Good luck this year Jarvis and Go Dawgs!
Contractor
August 8th, 2012
10:17 am
I will admit that this is a good example of where dreadlocks on a man had me thinking he would be a trouble maker coming out of high school, an add that he went to USC over his hometown Bulldogs and I wrote him off big time. BUT after listening and watching him carefully for a couple years now I admit I was wrong and have given him all my respect. The guy work hard, dang sure plays hard, speaks very well, and has the heart that I feel I ha about all of the teams I have ever played for. It’s refreshing to hear a Georgia player speak like him and enjoying their time between the hedges and the real gift it is to be doing so. Good luck this year Jarvis and make yourself a two time All-American, and bring the Dawgs to the top with you.
timthebrave
August 8th, 2012
11:13 am
Jarvis will be remembered…Win a championship (SEC or national) and he can be a legend at UGA
Bulldogs getting after it in first major scrimmage of preseason | UGA sports blog
August 8th, 2012
11:21 am
[...] Jarvis Jones wants to ’seize the moment’ [...]
Eisendawg
August 8th, 2012
11:27 am
Kudos to AJC for a “positive” story. Kudos to JJ for joining the ranks of classy Dawgs, like Herschel, DJ Shockley, David Greene, Richard Samuel, and thousands of others. Also, kudos to most of the bloggers on here. (Rolling Laundry Detergent, you are excused)
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
11:57 am
Jarvis Jones is special. He is the leader that UGA has lacked from a player. Someone on here stole my thunder when they said he reminds them of Pollack. Players like Jones can make all of the difference between a good season and a great season.
PennGeorgia State
August 8th, 2012
12:30 pm
Yall sure showin’ alot of love to a rent-a-dawg. Just think, if SC wasn’t concerned about this guys health, he’d stiil be in LA. Just at UGA because they allowed him to play football. No other reason than that. Otherwise, probably could cae less about d/a dawg fans and their “love”.
doug dawgi
August 8th, 2012
12:33 pm
GTBob, frankly, you have overstayed your welcome on uga boards. somewhere, deep down, you may make a valid point or two; but your cynical bias is just too much. why would you have to dis a man like jarvis jones? if he were on your team, you’d be touting him as divine. he LOVES uga, and so do a lot more people in this state than LOVE GT. when you fill your pitiful stadium every week, when you beat us 10 of ll years, when you actually play a schedule that doesn’t include weak acc teams, when you can create a game-day like happens at uga, when, when, when. . . then come back here with your rotten and ill-informed comments. otherwise, go to the tech blogs and shout. do you see dawg fans being so asinine as to spend time dissing a good GT player; or course not. there are none in the class of jarvis jones. get lost. you are causing me to lose all respect for GT, and, believe me, i once had it.
doug dawgi
August 8th, 2012
12:38 pm
my name is ‘doug dawg.’ guess the ‘i’ came from cyberspace; more likely a typo. but i may keep it — sounds nice.
CJJScout
August 8th, 2012
12:52 pm
I hope this young man does get his degree, what an awesome testimony that would be.
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
August 8th, 2012
12:59 pm
Your team could be full of Jones’s…if Mark Richt would just recruit hard..and not blame it on oversigning.
Kerryb
August 8th, 2012
1:07 pm
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
August 8th, 2012
12:59 pm
Your team could be full of Jones’s…if Mark Richt would just recruit hard..and not blame it on oversigning.
_____________________________________________________
Do you just keep posting the same crap over and over again dumba**? You posted that same comment yesterday. I guess you didn’t think anyone would notice. Get some new material.
Blue
August 8th, 2012
2:02 pm
I’m not a UGA fan (or hater), but I have been impressed with the way he handles himself. And on the field, when he makes a play, he runs back to where the huddle is going to be rather than talking smack or making grandiose gestures. And check out the brother throwing down some Latin!! Kid is a winner…
Concerned
August 8th, 2012
2:20 pm
I see things have really changed at Georgia because players like Jarvis a being vocal in front of peers, fans, and coaches. There is a true sense of accountability happening, as well the current players are seeing change happening. The cleaning out of the roster, getting those who were bad for UGA gone, and now the true nucleus is showing up. This is how and where RESPECT comes from. The current players are seeing domonstrative things happening via the coaches i.e. HCMR, and they are now respecting him, his walk, his talk, and the big stick it takes to get unity, as well RESPECT for the work, the fans, the university, Momma, friends, and self. We have something really going now.
I have not said much positive about the lead up to all this. The last two years of all the garbage, but now as an ex player I have goose bumps again. Do we not like true leaders? Well we have plenty now, and this should result in Ws, as well a great team. Go Dawgs
Dawg in Napa
August 8th, 2012
4:48 pm
Wow, that gets me fired up. Way to go Jarvis, if we could field 22 guys with that outlook and half your talent, we’d be in the SEC championship every year. Love it baby.
UPDATED: Georgia’s Marlon Brown, Todd Gurley star in pass-happy scrimmage | UGA sports blog
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[...] Jarvis Jones wants to ’seize the moment’ [...]
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[...] Jarvis Jones wants to ’seize the moment’ [...]