While the Nebraska football program was recently stiff-armed by Donovan Jones' brother Darion, the Husker defensive back is very busy this camp, showing that the team still got the better player in the family. In fact, the freshman DB is currently smack dab in the middle of showing position coach Addison Williams and head coach Matt Rhule that he deserves significant playing time after redshirting in 2024.
Jones has reportedly been showing out in fall camp so far, getting praise from Williams last week and then getting a callout by Rhule during his press conference on Friday.
Nebraska football DB battle: Donovan Jones draws praise from Addison Williams and Matt Rhule
One reason why the elder Jones brother is making such an impact is that he's shown that he can help the Nebraska football team at both safety and corner. "He's a big, strong, fast, physical guy, and Donnie, he's one where safety is his natural position, and corner is one he's learned over the last year," Williams said after one practice. "He's a guy that really we can use at both, He's one of our better players on defense we feel like. As long as he continues to progress the way that he is, he'll definitely continue to play both spots. He's doing a good job with that right now."
On Friday, Rhule said that veteran corners Ceyair Wright and Andrew Marshall were "a little tight," which allowed younger players to get more of a look. He then went on to say that Donovan Jones is in the mix at corner, especially.
A spot on the depth chart also opened up on Friday when Rhule announced that defensive back Blye Hill tore a ligament in his knee and is out for the season. That injury alone could help the redshirt freshman see the field for the Nebraska football team. However, it looks like he was playing his way onto the field even before that blow to the secondary.