Former Gamecock Ernest Jones reflects on rookie year, preparing for Super Bowl moment
Ernest Jones couldn’t have drawn up a better script for his rookie season in the NFL.
The former Gamecock standout was taken in the third round by one of the league’s top teams in the Los Angeles Rams and will play in Super Bowl 56 on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I never imagined this. It is unbelievable. It is a blessing. I am glad the Rams decided to draft me,” Jones said Thursday during his availability with reporters. “... It’s crazy, that is all I have been saying and can say about this moment. Just coming in and learning from those guys (Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey) and seeing how they are motivated to win this championship. It made me follow right along and followed their lead.”
Jones said he has been ready to play in the game since last week but has been able to enjoy everything that goes on with playing in one of the biggest annual sporting events. He has friends and family coming to Los Angeles either for the game or festivities that follow it.
The rookie linebacker’s phone was filled with messages from former Gamecock teammates, coaches and other friends and family after the Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 20-17, in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 30.
The NFC Championship game was Jones’ first game back since suffering an ankle injury in Week 16 against Minnesota. He missed three games including the playoff opener against the Cardinals but was hopeful to be back if the Rams made a deep playoff run.
Jones had two tackles and played in 43 percent of the team’s snaps in the win over the 49ers.
“Just coming back, my mindset the whole time was to get myself ready and better,” Jones said. “I trusted in my team that they were mission oriented and wanted to get to this Super Bowl. I attacked the rehab and it felt great getting a few reps under my belt. I’m just excited about this opportunity going forward.”
Before the injury, Jones settled into the Rams’ lineup after a rough start. Through the first five games, he played just 19 snaps. But his role increased after the team traded Kenny Young to Denver.
Jones earned his first start against the Houston Texans and earned a game ball for his nine-tackle, one-interception performance. That was his first NFL interception. For the season, he has 29 tackles, two interceptions and one sack.
“Ernest is a special player. He’s a quick study. He learns from his mistakes so quickly,” Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said in December “I thought you felt his range and his length yesterday. He had some great ability to diagnose some things early on in the downs where he’s playing sideline to sideline. I thought he really did a great job using his hands in the run fits and then he ended up with a sack.
“He’s an impressive young player that’s only going to get better. I think he’s going to be a cornerstone for our team.”
Jones was a cornerstone for South Carolina defense for his two years as a starter. He had 97 tackles in 2018 and then had 94 in a COVID-shortened nine-game season in 2020. Against LSU, Jones recorded 19 tackles, the most by a Gamecock defender since 1987. He followed that up with an 18-tackle performance against Ole Miss and finished the year tied for ninth in the SEC in total stops.
Jones now appears to be on track for a productive NFL career which might begin with a Super Bowl title to his name.
“I’m so ready to play,” Jones said. “My teammates (who have played in the Super Bowl before) have been giving me tips to control aggression up until it is time to go play.”
SC CONNECTIONS IN SUPER BOWL 56
USC: Ernest Jones (Rams), running backs coach Thomas Brown (Rams), Elliott Fry (Bengals).
Clemson: Tee Higgins (Bengals), DJ Reader (Bengals), Jackson Carman (Bengals), Tremayne Anchrum (Rams).
Other: Irmo native Auden Tate (Bengals).
This story was originally published February 12, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
