Defensive Back Chris Jones Postgame Quotes

Nebraska Football
Spring Game (April 15, 2017)
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Postgame Quotes

Senior Defensive Back Chris Jones

On transitioning defensive style with Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco
“The transition was smooth. Working with a new defense is going to have its rough edges in the beginning but as it goes on it gets better and better. You start to feel comfortable, you feel the players get comfortable with it so the more comfortable we are as a unit, it’s just better for us.”

On his thoughts on the defensive backs’ improvement
“Every day we hold each other accountable. If one makes a mistake, we all get on him. We tell him you need to do this right, do that right. I felt this spring as a group, we got better and closer, just taking criticism and biting our tongues. Coach Donte (Williams) tells us, it’s not just about one person. It can be a freshman making a mistake and he’ll tell me something. I just bite my tongue and know I have to lead by example.”

On Joshua Kalu at safety
“Whatever he needs to do to help the team, he’s down for it. Everybody else is going to go for it. Whatever it takes to help this defense win a Big Ten Championship or a National Championship. If I have to change a role, I would do the same thing.

On Eric Lee and Lamar Jackson’s improvement
“Those guys [Eric Lee and Lamar Jackson] are stepping up big time. They push me, I push them every day. I tell them, go out there, give it your all and just know things are going to happen but you just have to have a short term memory and just keep playing the next play.”

On Eric Lee’s mindset this spring and how Chris influenced him
“He [Eric Lee] stepped up. He knew what was in front of him. I knew exactly what kind of player he could be once he settled down and take control of his own destiny. He really improved as spring kept going on. I’m proud of that kid.”

On defensive work with quartbacks
“You got guys like Tanner Lee and Patrick O’Brien that can fit throws in tight spots. We have a receiving corps that works on getting out of routes and all different types of receivers. Having a quarterback and having the receivers, it just helps us out a lot, knowing where we have to be at, knowing where our eyes need to be correct, know how to come out of brakes fast. It just helps us out a lot.”

On his improvement this spring
“The aspect, I’ve improved the most is just being aggressive. Just being aggressive as a corner, aggressive at tackling. Being aggressive to the ball, that’s one thing I can say I improved on that I really needed to improve on. Right now it’s just getting better.”

On his goals
“I am guy who sets high goals for myself. It’s going to make me work even harder to achieve those goals. It makes me focus on so many different things in order to be a better corner.”