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Mississippi State

State cornerback Kelley Jones embraces challenge that awaits Saturday

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones09/02/25PaulJonesOn3
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Mississippi State CB Kelley Jones (Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily)

Mississippi State’s Kelley Jones has seen his share of big-time receivers inside the SEC. This weekend the sophomore cornerback will face another challenge with Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, a projected NFL first-round selection next spring.

For Jones and State’s defense, it is a challenge that they will face often this season, especially when SEC play begins. Jones and his position group got off to a fast start last weekend in the opener at Southern Miss as Jones collected a pair of PBUs.

On Monday afternoon, Jones met with the media to discuss this week’s opponent among other topics:

Q: You had a couple of PBUs in the opener that prevented touchdowns. What’s going through your mind in those 1 on 1 opportunities?


Jones: I would say the ball is always coming to my man. That is something our coach preaches on. Every play the ball is coming to your man. So to me, it was just another play, another down, and just playing the play.

Q: You get one of the top receivers in the nation this weekend in Jordyn Tyson. Do you see that as an opportunity?


Jones: Yes sir. I look at it as a dream come true. It’s good going against good. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to go out there and play the best? So it is a challenge for me and I look forward to it each and every day.

Q: What sticks out to you about Jordyn Tyson and that matchup?

Jones: I would say how many targets he gets, how consistent he is. The style of play and how much he runs to the ball and how much he stays involved. So it’s a big challenge for me going up against him and I look forward to it.

Q: You are still just a sophomore but expected to be the leader in that room. How are you adjusting to that?


Jones: Just being coachable. Just doing the things I am supposed to do, leading by example. I would say just going and doing everything to the best of my ability each and every day. Just doing what I do best.

Q: How do you think the cornerbacks performed as a whole in the opener without having Jet Jefferson?

Jones: I feel like we practice that each and every day. If one of us were to go down, we never leave one behind. It hurts to have him down and we want him back. But he is healing and doing great, and we will see him back in no time.

Q: Arizona State also has a talented backfield. How are the preparations for that group?

Jones: I would say learning from last year and being able to capitalize off of that. We’ve got a bigger, stronger, faster team so we just have to go out there, do what our coaches tell us and play how we play.

Q: Sam Leavitt made plays in last year’s game. What challenges does he present?

Jones: He is a very good ballplayer. He gets his team going and they rally off of him. I feel like he is a very good ballplayer. We just got to stick to doing what we’re doing and I feel like he has to come play us.

Q: What kind of atmosphere do you expect on Saturday?

Jones: I expect all of our fans to come out. We’ve been preparing for moments like this, especially after the season we had last year and how it went. We’ve got so much confidence, so much ability to go do the things I think we are going to do and try to win. I feel like everyone needs to come out and support.

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