The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Texas offensive tackle Christian Jones plans on taking full advantage. Jones recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Jones also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, playing left and right tackle, using length and athleticism to his advantage, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Jones better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Christian Jones: It occurred right after practice. I was super ecstatic and happy to receive that invite, man. I felt extremely thankful at that moment. I was smiling ear-to-ear for the rest of the day (laughs).
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Christian Jones: I’m excited to receive the opportunity to compete in Mobile. I’m going to showcase my talents in front of pretty much everyone in the NFL. That’s the level I’m striving to reach. It’s a huge opportunity for me to put my best foot forward.
I can’t wait to experience the Senior Bowl. I got the Reese’s box that came with the hat, man (laughs). It’s super cool to be a part of the brotherhood that the Senior Bowl has created for itself. So many amazing NFL players have walked those Senior Bowl halls. I’m very appreciative.
JM: You deserve this. What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Christian Jones: I want to prove that I’m a great individual with a great personality. I want all 32 teams to agree I’d be a great addition to their organization. I’m a very fast learner. I still have a lot of room to grow and develop as a player. I’m ready to work every single day.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Christian Jones: I have great feet. That comes first and foremost. I’m an intelligent player that’s a quick learner. I have 36-inch arms. I can play in space. I’m a mauler in the run game. That’s how I’d write my own scouting report.
JM: You have amazing length for the position. It pops on tape, too. How do you use that to your advantage?
Christian Jones: I definitely use length to my advantage by creating space for myself in pass protection. Looking back at my tape, I can definitely improve on certain techniques. That’s why I said I still have room to grow. I’m still perfecting my craft.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL offensive tackle, who would you choose and why?
Christian Jones: That’s a great question. I’d probably say Laremy Tunsil. He’s outstanding in pass protection. He’s very effective in the run game as well. He has great feet. He’s an offensive lineman that doesn’t look like an offensive lineman. He carries his weight so well. He has long arms like me. He’s a very smart player, too.
JM: He’s a special player. You played both left and right tackle at Texas. Which position are you more comfortable with, and what’s the biggest difference between the two?
Christian Jones: I’d say I’m most comfortable at right tackle. The difference between right and left, you know I arrived on campus as a right tackle. That was the plan. I played left tackle in high school but we ran the triple option. I never really took a pass set in high school (laughs).
I got to Texas as a right tackle. I was banking reps on the right for two years before I touched the field at right tackle. I got switched to left tackle with a new staff and it definitely wasn’t my best showcase. I moved back to right tackle in 2022 and again in 2023.
This is the first time I’ve played the same position two years in a row since I started playing football. I’m getting comfortable. I’m left-foot dominant and right-eye dominant. I’m left-handed so all of that makes up the perfect trifecta for me to have the perfect makeup as a right tackle.
I like it out there at right tackle, man. I love playing on an island. It’s so much fun. I get to go up against the best pass rushers every single week.
JM: It’s crazy that this is the first time you played the same position two years in a row. We’ve seen you grow on tape as a result. What’s on Christian Jones’ pre-game playlist?
Christian Jones: That’s a fun question. I listen to a lot of Gunna, Veeze, and Babyface Ray.
JM: At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Christian Jones?
Christian Jones: A successful Senior Bowl looks like a very sharp performance from Christian Jones throughout the practices and drills. I don’t plan on having any drop-off from drill to drill. I’m going to be extremely coachable as a quick learner. If there are new techniques and new plans to be learned, I’m going to execute them flawlessly. I’m going to understand it and get it down pat.
