While attending the Senior Bowl, Brandon Howard had the opportunity to sit down with Cal wide receiver Marvin Jones, and ask him a few questions.

 

Brandon Howard: If you don’t mind Marvin could you, talk a little bit about your upbringing and how you came up?

 

Marvin Jones: Well as far as football is concerned, I always loved it. I went from playing in the back yard with my cousins, to playing tackle football when I was seven. I recall always being the youngest on my team. I think always playing with the older kids gave me a bit of an edge. I took a break to travel with basketball, but hopped back into football in High School. Since then I haven’t stopped which leads me to where I am now.

 

Brandon Howard: It’s funny how playing with the older kids in the neighborhood often times leads to success when you finally go up against kids your age. Now you’re this 6’3” target jumping up in the air snatching, the ball off the top of Corner-back’s heads.

 

Marvin Jones: When you’re that little, you just think that’s the competitive norm. I felt as though having success going up against older kids in my neighborhood was normal. I never thought it would be something that helped me as I continued to develop as an athlete.

 

Brandon Howard: At home, were both parents in your life?

 

Marvin Jones: Yes they were. They ended up divorcing when I was in High School, but football in my life was well established by then.

 

Brandon Howard: What’s been your favorite part of being here at the Senior Bowl?

 

Marvin Jones: Just being around all the elite players. A lot of guys here you see on TV; many of them are the headliners for their respective programs. Being here with them, and being coached by experienced NFL coaches means a lot to me being that the NFL is ultimately where we all of us want to be.

 

Brandon Howard: What’s one thing you feel you’ve done well, or proven to scouts this week?

 

Marvin Jones: The same thing I’ve shown throughout my career and that’s being consistent, having good routes, getting in and out of breaks, creating separation and most of all going up and catching the ball. I feel that wherever the ball is, or whoever is on me, I’m going to catch the ball and make big plays.

 

Brandon Howard: That’s one thing I witnessed for myself, as well as hear scouts talk about is how quick you’ve been in and out of breaks, especially to be a taller WR.

 

 

Brandon Howard: What’s something valuable that the coaches have taught you this week?

Marvin Jones: Being that this is one of the biggest interviews in our lives, Coach Frazier made certain we realized that everything we do this week is being evaluated. Anything you do, both good and bad is being evaluated, even when you don’t know.

 

Brandon Howard: There is absolutely a lot on the line. Anything you do can either be used against you, or can help propel your status. With that said, I’ve heard nothing but good things about you. Keep up the good work.

 

Marvin Jones: I’m just happy that I’ve got this opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it.

 

 

Brandon Howard: What do you feel is your greatest strength as a WR?

 

Marvin Jones: I’d have to say my aggressiveness going up and catching the football. I think that when the ball is in the air I can make the play. Even when it appears impossible to make the catch, I feel as if it’s possible for me.

 

Brandon Howard: What is something you need to continue to work on to strengthen your game?

 

 

Marvin Jones: I need to work on continuing through my route when a defender is at my break.

 

Brandon Howard: What do you feel can help you in this area?

 

Marvin Jones: I need to trust myself and continue being aggressive even when a defender might be squatting on my route.

 

Brandon Howard: What WRs have you modeled your game after?

 

Marvin Jones: I like watching guys like Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. I like watching WRs that can go up and snatch the football off the top of people’s heads.

 

Brandon Howard: So you feel you can go up and play in the “5th dimension” like a Larry Fitzgerald?

 

Marvin Jones: Yes I do!

 

Brandon Howard: Wow! That’s big talk.

 

Marvin Jones: I know but I believe I’m capable.

Brandon Howard: Can you describe a time when you’ve exhibited outstanding work ethic?

 

Marvin Jones: I prepare the same every week, but I’ll take it back to my Sophomore year getting ready to play UCLA. Some weeks you’re just feeling it. I was going back to play in my hometown and I had 20 friends and family members in attendance. Going up against Alterraun Verner, I wound up catching 2 TDs that day.

 

Brandon Howard: That’s awesome!

 

 

Brandon Howard: Where will you be training for the combine?

 

Marvin Jones: I’m over at Fischer Sports where guys like Revis and Fitzgerald train. It’s not the biggest place, but you go there, work hard and get results.

 

Brandon Howard: You got any expectations for the combine?

 

Marvin Jones: I expect to go in there and perform well. As far as the 40 is concerned, I’m looking to run in the high 4.4- low 4.5 range.

 

Brandon Howard: Well, we’ll be cheering for you to hit that 4.4.

 

Marvin Jones: I listen to R&B and some rap occasionally, but I’m more of an R&B guy. I’m a singer myself actually.

 

Brandon Howard: Really? So did you grow up singing in the church? How did that come about?

 

Marvin Jones: I’ve actually been singing since I was 3 years old. I sang in the church as well.

 

Brandon Howard: Did you ever hit up the studio to record anything?

 

Marvin Jones: I did a little when I was in High School, but not so much anymore.

 

Brandon Howard: What is one thing you would like the world to know about Marvin Jones?

 

Marvin Jones: What you see is what you get. I want people to know that I’m very direct and that I’m a bright guy.

 

Brandon Howard: Well I’m sure once you begin to interview with teams, they’ll absolutely appreciate the fact that what they see is what they’re going to get with you. They’ll also see rather quickly that you’re certainly a bright guy.

 

Brandon Howard: For instance, me, I’m a Sci-Fi geek. What would you say is one of your guilty pleasures?

 

Marvin Jones: Cartoons man! All the old school cartoons like Popeye, Tom & Jerry. All those old school cartoons. If my television isn’t on ESPN, it’s on Boomerang.

 

Brandon Howard: There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  I really appreciate you taking the time out to sit with me; it really means a lot to me and the rest of the team over at NFL Draft Monsters.

 

Marvin Jones: Definitely man! Give me a ring and we’ll do it again.

 

…

 

 

While making my exit from the hotel, I had an opportunity to speak further with Marvin. I came to find out that he’s a proud father of two boys.  Marvin already possesses quite the jovial personality, however I noticed the more he spoke about his children, the more he began to smile. Being a proud father of two boys myself, I can identify with Marvin and his drive to succeed. With the physical tools he possesses, as well as family being a motivating factor for him as he embarks upon an NFL career, I would certainly bet on Marvin seeing success at the next level. Marvin is a class act, and we wish him the best.