Ricardo Jones S Vanderbilt |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #7 ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.51 seconds (70%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #7 | |
| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.51 seconds (70%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
72.6 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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72% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 77.2 | |
| Tackling: |
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55% |
| Run Defense: |
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59% |
| Coverage: |
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79% |
| Zone: |
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76% |
| Man/Press: |
|
77% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#564
Position rank:
#77 (DB)
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| College Games: 30 College Snaps: 1283 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 93/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Green - Mississippi State |
|
86% |
| JT Woods - Baylor |
|
85% |
| Ja'Qurious Conley - North Carolina |
|
78% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Ricardo Jones was a four-star safety in the 2024 class from Georgia, where he made 18 career interceptions. He also earned region player of the year honors on the basketball court in 2023.As a Clemson freshman in 2024, Jones appeared in 12 games and recorded an interception and a sack. In 2025 he made 12 starts and tied for the national lead with six interceptions, including two against South Carolina on 29 November, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He earned second-team All-ACC honors from the Associated Press, and Dabo Swinney called him a very smart, instinctive player.
Jones moved to Vanderbilt for 2026, bringing two seasons of eligibility with him. He had nine tackles when Vanderbilt beat NC State 35-31, and had a pass breakup against Arkansas. However, he has no interceptions this season and has missed nine tackles.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Tied for the national lead with six interceptions in 2025
- Made nine tackles in the September win over NC State
- Covers plenty of ground in deep coverage thanks to good speed
- Instinctive player who reads quarterbacks well and breaks on throws
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Missed nine tackles this season, including three against Georgia
- No interceptions in eight games after six in 2025
- Gave up touchdowns against Georgia and Ole Miss in October
- Committed two penalties in the September game against NC State
- Has eligibility left and may return for another season
Scouting Report: Summary
Jones is a rangy, instinctive safety who was one of the best ball hawks in the country in 2025. He reads quarterbacks well and has good speed, and he showed his production with nine tackles against NC State.However, he has struggled to finish tackles, with nine misses this season and three against Georgia. His interceptions have also dried up since moving to Vanderbilt, and he has given up touchdowns in coverage.
Overall, Jones is a talented safety coming off a quiet season so far. He projects as a priority free agent, with a return to Vanderbilt an option.
How other scouting services rate Ricardo Jones (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
449.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
91.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.