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Syracuse forfeited its final chance of earning bowl eligibility when it faced Pitt in its season finale. After striking first, the Orange lost 31-14 after quarterback Kenny Pickett led the Panthers to 28 straight points. 

Despite SU allowing more than 30 points for the third straight game, linebacker Mikel Jones stood out in his usual spot in the middle of the 3-3-5 defense, recording a career-high 16 total tackles. After the game Jones said he was “50/50” on coming back to Syracuse or declaring for the NFL Draft. But on Dec. 16, he announced that he would be returning to SU in 2022. 

“He wants to be one of the great all-time leaders at Syracuse,” said Jeff Pond, Jones’ head coach at Mater Academy (Florida). “He wants to leave it better than he found it.”

Jones saw limited time as a backup linebacker in 2020 before eventually earning a starting role toward the end of the season. By the end of 2021, Jones earned first team All-ACC honors, and according to ESPN Advanced Stats, he ranked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference among linebackers in tackling percentage (92.9). Jones was projected to be a mid-round selection in rounds 3-5 of the upcoming NFL Draft, Sports Illustrated assistant scouting director Jack Borowsky said, but the decision to return to Syracuse could improve his stock for next year’s draft. 

The linebacker was vital in the Orange’s defensive success this year with a team-high 110 total tackles, including 60 on his own. He led the ACC in solo tackles and finished with the second-most total tackles. Head coach Dino Babers said Jones was essential as the “quarterback” of the 3-3-5 defense, playing the middle or “Mike” linebacker role. 

“He really matured to me,” Jones’ mom Emma Griffin said. “He really had people looking up to him and trusting him to motivate them (this season).” 

This leadership role is one that Jones has held his entire football career, starting in pee-wee football despite playing in an age group two years ahead of him. He was a defensive end at the time, switching to linebacker when he played in IMG Academy’s (Florida) 3-3-5 system after two seasons at Mater Academy. 

Borowsky said that Jones’ presence as a leader in the middle of the defense is something that’s present in his film from this year. Specifically against teams like Clemson, Boston College and Pittsburgh, Jones’ demonstrated his “rangy” and athletic ability that allows him to cover a lot of ground. 

“He really showed he was one of the best tacklers in the country this season,” Borowsky said. 

An extra year would also “slow down” the game for Jones, Borowsky said. He compared Jones’ potential ascension to that of Pickett, who averaged 12.7 passing touchdowns for three seasons before recording 42 in 2021. And since Syracuse isn’t one of the top 5-10 teams in the country, Jones could add “good tape” against ACC teams. 

Unlike Southeastern Conference schools like Alabama, SU isn’t an NFL factory churning out professional-level players who stay for the minimum three seasons. Borowsky said that even at bigger schools, three years isn’t enough for linebackers mainly because of the “mental” difference of facing college offenses compared to more complex NFL systems. 

“We see so many linebackers come out early and they can’t make the transition,” Borowsky said. “Defensively, it’s the hardest position to play.”

Pond said another factor that went into Jones’ decision was the Orange’s schedule for 2022 as well as the “name recognition” that Jones has now, something he didn’t have before this season. SU hosts Notre Dame in the Carrier Dome and travels to play Clemson next fall.

“I told him next year is the last guaranteed season of 12 games you have in your life, so just have fun,” Pond said.

Syracuse’s 3-3-5 has to fill holes on its defensive line after losing two starters. But at the linebacker level, SU returns Jones, Stefon Thompson and Marlowe Wax, the Orange’s top three players in both solo and total tackles this season.

Griffin said Jones wants to leave a foundation for future seasons after next year, leaving players like Wax and Thompson with the tools to succeed after he leaves SU. 

“When he leaves, he wants to be able to say that there are still five or six guys that have the same capability as (him), and the leadership skills like he has,” Griffin said.

With the amount of returners on the team, Jones expects next season to be more successful than any one he’s been a part of, Pond said. His former coach added the biggest difference is Jones is heading into his third season in the 3-3-5 under defensive coordinator Tony White, leaving “no negatives” for another year at Syracuse.

“He’s got two years in the scheme now, so just giving him another year to perfect his craft, better technique and read his keys better,” Pond said. “Another year won’t hurt.”

Published on January 12, 2022 at 7:44 pm

Contact Anish: asvasude@syr.edu | @anish_vasu