ISU cornerback Brian Peavy half-jokingly called to Jay Jones during practices last season, calling him to the outside of the defense. 

“Come play corner[back],” Peavy would yell.

At the time, Jones was playing the nickelback position for former coach Paul Rhoads’ 3-4 defense. He was too long and not quick enough for the cornerback position.

But Peavy would persist.

“I would tell him all the time,” Peavy said. “I feel like that’s what corners are transforming to — big corners.”

A new season and a new coaching staff later, Jones finds himself exactly where Peavy predicted he would end up. But that doesn’t mean the switch to cornerback has been an easy process for Jones.

“I’m excited about it,” Jones said. “It’s a challenge and I’ve got guys … all those guys around me. It’s a challenge because I see those guys play the position so well and play it so easy. I’m over there struggling. I’m the big one, the clown, you know.”

Jones was informed he would be switching over to cornerback during Winter Break. As he learned the Cyclones were switching to the 4-2-5 defense, he thought he would move to safety since he was too “frail” to be one of the two linebackers. 

So when he was told he would play cornerback, his initial reaction was shock, but thanks to the help of cornerback coach D.K. McDonald, Jones warmed up to the prospect.  

“Initially, I was like, ‘Corner?’ I was thinking like safety or something,” Jones said. “Coach D.K. kind of influenced me. He just told me to work with it and you’ve got to believe in yourself. If you compete, we’ll see where you’re at. Just hearing that, that gave me motivation to go and try the position.”

The coaching staff said they like Jones’ length on the outside. Since Jones is slower than most Big 12 cornerbacks, he will be valuable in short-yardage and goal-line situations. 

He is also trying to adjust to his role in open space. When Jones played nickelback, which is similar to a drop-back linebacker, he played primarily in zone. As a cornerback, his role includes zone defense along with playing man-to-man, which can be tough for a guy who isn’t used to the speed on the outside.

“It’s a learning curve, but I’m getting better every day,” Jones said. “Last year, I was so accustomed to playing zone coverage. Now I’m playing man and you have zones, so [I’m] adjusting to the new coverages and adapting to the space out there.” 

Jones isn’t exactly behind the curve when compared to the rest of the team, though. The rest of the defense is attempting to gain a hold on its third new defense in three seasons. 

To Jones’ credit, he seems to want to learn the new position, saying the idea of reinventing himself “excites” him. The coaching staff has praised Jones for his work ethic as well. 

“He takes a lot of his own time and stays after practice,” McDonald said. “And it pays off. You know the guys who do that and it shows up on the field when it’s time for him to play.”

Jones said the group of cornerbacks have welcomed him with open arms and that it’s a “brotherhood.” Combining the camaraderie with the work ethic, Jones has made some significant strides heading into the backend of the spring season. 

“He’s a guy who I’ve seen improve and get some confidence heading into practice No. 11 and 12 for us,” said ISU coach Matt Campbell.