Jaguars 2024 NFL Draft: Top takeaways from each rookie’s media call

The 2024 NFL Draft has finally wrapped up, with the Jacksonville Jaguars walking away with LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr, LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith, FSU cornerback Jarrian Jones, Missouri offensive tackle Javon Foster, LSU nose tackle Jordan Jefferson, Ole Miss cornerback Deantre Prince, Texas running back and return specialist Keilan Robinson, Arkansas kicker Cameron Little, and Texas Tech defensive end Myles Cole.

Here's everything you need to know from their media calls.

Day 1 media call:

• Brian Thomas Jr (WR)

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 (DL)

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 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 ain’t a typo, it ain’t a typo.”

• Jarrian Jones (CB)

In his initial post-draft media availability, Jones explained what went through his mind when he saw the 904 area code pop up on his 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:

• Javon Foster (OT)

Javon first opened up his post-draft media call to offer thanks to his family and the organization. Afterward, he provided fans with some insight into who he is and his journey into football.

“I’m from the north. Basketball is a huge thing because you can play it all year round. I grew up playing basketball since I was eight. I’ve been playing that all the way up to until my junior year of high school, that’s when I got a chance to play football. My dad was always telling me once I give football a try, I’m going to fall in love with it and he wasn’t lying. It was like something I was missing my whole life. Ever since I started playing football, I quit basketball right after that because I knew exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to be."

He continued, discussing his father (former NFL lineman Jerome Foster), and his influence.

“He played a huge role in my football journey. Like I said earlier, he said once I get on that field, I’m going to fall in love with it and he wasn’t lying at all. Once I finally got on that field, I was really just picking his brain and asking him different questions about the league, asking him different questions about how can I make my game better. He was giving me all the answers he could and giving me anything he knew. I really appreciate him for that and he’s always been in my corner, coming to my games all the time. It’s just been a blessing to have him in my corner.”

He also touched on his experience playing swing tackle, but also potentially stepping in at guard for the team.

“I didn’t play serious snaps (at guard) until practice when I played inside. But I started my first two games, I started off at right tackle. Then I moved back to left. I played a few in practice, but no serious game snaps at guard.”

He does, however, have confidence that he has the ability to play all spots on the line and looks forward to showing the same to the staff and fans.

"I feel like I can play inside or out. Will just bring them my hard work and my hard effort each day, just come in and compete, to give myself a role on this team is honestly what they want me to do.”

• Jordan Jefferson (NT)

Nose tackle Jordan Jefferson was to the point in his first media call. He opened by touching on the multiple LSU connections on the staff, which should help with his transition.

“I feel like it’s going to be good. I know those guys. I played with Maason [Smith]. I feel like it’s going to be one of those things where we’re going to pick up where we left off.”

Speaking of Smith, Jordan provided a quick summary of what fans should expect from himself and Maason.

“They are getting two dominant dogs. They are getting two guys that are going to cause disruption not only in the run game but also the pass game. They are getting just all around, quality guys. They are getting some hard working guys, guys that are going to show up to work every day and put forth all their effort.”

Jefferson set the high mark for bench press reps at 225 in the 2024 NFL Combine, completing 34 reps. However, he also advised that that is not his personal best.

“I’ve done more before.”

• Deantre Prince (CB)

Prince, a cornerback from Ole Miss, was energetic, transparent, and clear in his introductory media call, showing his edge and drive to be great. Early on, he discussed what it was like to finally get the call from the 904 area code.

“I was shocked honestly, but kind of frustrated at the same time, just staying on the board that long. I’m just ready to get to work and do what I have to do to gain the respect that I feel I have to earn.”

He then provided some honest background on his college journey.

“I kind of just was immature my freshman year, off the field type of things. Not properly knowing how to be a man and communicate the way I needed to get things off my chest, going through problems and things like that. I reset myself back, took myself two steps back so I can get two steps forward and finish the journey out the right way. All about coming back was just me wanting to finish where I started and just show the youth that you don’t have to go to Georgia or anywhere out of state. If you’re from Mississippi, you can make it from Mississippi as well.”

Interestingly, Prince was previously asked who the most difficult receiver he had to guard was, during the pre-draft process. His answer felt right at home.

“Week out, Brian Thomas Jr. He’s a very good receiver when we played against him and he got me on the slot fade for a touchdown. But he’s very big, very physical, very fast as well. I think people don’t know how fast he actually is, so he’s still my top receiver and now he’s on my team.”

• Keilan Robinson (RB/RS)

Robinson, primarily a return and special teams specialist, opened his media call in discussing the new NFL kickoff rule updates.

"Yeah, I've been watching it. I know they've got that influence from the XFL or one of those leagues. I used to watch those games a little bit, so I've seen the kickoffs and I like it. It brings back the kick return in the NFL. The past few years it's been nothing but touchbacks since they've moved the ball up. It's kind of been taking the play out of the game so I like the rule change. It's more plays and that can be a game changer. Special teams can win games. It might be a big return that sets the offense up somewhere on the field or might be a touchdown. So, I like that they did something to bring back returns.”

While Robinson is a return specialist, he let it be known that he intends on showing he can be much more than that.

“I think y’all can expect for me to be a playmaker in all facets of the game. From offense, whether it be running the ball, catching the ball, lining up in the slot, doing whatever I can on offense. Then on special teams obviously making plays with the ball in my hands and without the ball in my hands. Just a playmaker that’ll love the city, and love the community. I’m there to win games. I’m happy to be a Jacksonville Jaguar.”

He continued.

"They envision for me to be me. To come in and make plays in a multitude of ways. To be that versatile weapon that I'm known to be. Just to be me.”

• Cameron Little (K)

Little, probably one of the most exciting media calls of the group expressed his excitement to come to the "state of Jacksonville."

“Man, you guys don’t even know. I’m super excited, first off. Florida is actually one of my favorite spots to visit. I know me and a lot of my buddies have gone down to Seaside area and I’ve been to Orlando, all of Florida really, growing up. I’m super excited about that and I actually was in contact with [Special Teams Coordinator] Heath Farwell throughout the process and he had called me one day. We just had brief conversations and he said, ‘Well, I’m going to be out there next week and I’m going to work you out.’ So I was like, alright, awesome. We went to dinner the night before, got to know my personality a little bit and I got to know his. I smashed the workout, did what I needed to do and they took a chance on me in the draft today. I promise you that they will not regret that. The state of Jacksonville will not regret that pick.”

Little will turn 21 years old in August of this year, which makes him the youngest kicker ever drafted.

"To think when I’m 16, 17 years old, just starting football and now I’m 20 years old, won’t turn 21 until August and I’m a draft pick. The youngest kicker ever, it’s insane to me. It’s something that I’m excited about, it’s something that I put a lot of hard work into."

He continued:

“Our media guys at Arkansas did the research. They had looked through some other guys that had gone after three years in college, but they’ve been 21. I’m August 17, 2003, and they were just looking through some records and I’m one of the youngest players to ever be drafted, but obviously kicker, I take the cake on that. I think that’s pretty cool obviously, it has no comparing on how good I can be in the NFL. But I just thought that was a pretty cool little thing.”

• Myles Cole (DE)

No media call was completed with Myles Cole, so here is his NFL pre-draft prospect breakdown!