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Could UCLA defensive end Datone Jones work his way into the first round of the NFL Draft, well it would not be the first time.
Last year, North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples had a rough senior year. Coples saw his production go down from 10 sacks to seven and he was being labeled as lazy and undetermined. There were rumors that Coples did not play hard all the time and Coples had a stage to display his talents at the 2012 Senior Bowl.
Couples used the stage to shed off all negative stigmas and launch his draft status into hyper speed. Coples impressed the New York Jets so much that they drafted him in the first round with the 16th pick.
Who could be this years Coples? One possibility is Jones. Jones had a broken foot and was sidelined in 2010 . Jones struggled after making his return, before finishing the season strong and went into his senior campaign with high hopes.
Unlike Coples, Jones did not struggle during his season season but he did have an obstacle. Position wise where does he fit in, with a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense. Jones continued to improve during his senior year under Jim Mora Jr.’s 3-4 scheme where he constantly moved Jones up and down the Bruins defensive line.
Jones was not too high on the draft boards at the beginning of the Senior Bowl week but how things can change. Jones has had a very solid week of practice and is impressing NFL scouts. During practice, he has shown his quickness to get off the ball and rush the passer that compliments his strong bull rush making him very versatile. Jones is a few months away but if he continues to work
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