Space. That one word is the most important part of a wide receiver’s job. It matters at every part of the play: creating space with your route running and speed to get open, creating space at the catch point to haul in the ball, and creating space after the ball is in your hands to gain yards after the catch. DeVuan Jones is so good at creating space at all three phases of the play that he practically has his own zip code on the football field.
Before the Catch
The main skill that drives DeVuan’s game is his acceleration, which is an elite trait. He’s plenty fast (4.49 40), but the acceleration is what specifically stands out. I’m going to talk about his acceleration a lot throughout this because it is genuinely that unbelievable. It is hard to put into words just how impressive it is, but I will try.
His feet are lightning quick, giving him a good release and an even better ability to break on his routes. His change of direction and cutting ability within his routes is really impressive, which is his main way to generate separation. When he makes that cut, he seems to always be open. That gives him a good amount of work in the short and intermediate area of the field, but he is a deep threat as well just because of his raw speed. You have to respect the speed and give him cushion to not get burned over the top, but then he feasts in the short game and after the catch.
During the Catch
DeVuan’s biggest hurdle to overcome is his size – he’s only 5’9″ 170 lbs. Despite that, he can still win contested catches at a high level. How does he do this? By getting to a higher level than his opponent. Literally. The explosivity that his legs generate to give him his acceleration also gives him a great vertical. He knows how to time up his jump perfectly to high point the ball and win at the catch point. He doesn’t out-muscle people at the catch point, but he doesn’t need to – he just gets there before anyone else and hauls in the catch. This also allows him to have a much wider catch radius than his frame would otherwise indicate, since he can go up and catch the ball even if it is seemingly way over his head. There is some real spectacular catch upside with DeVuan that can help him find himself on many highlight reels in the future.
After the Catch
DeVuan’s ability to get open and to reel in any throw that comes his way all helps to fuel his greatest strength: what he can do once the ball is in his hands. This is the place where his space creation skills are best on display. It’s like a magic trick – one juke move and the defender who was closing in on him is suddenly 5 yards away and hopelessly far from making the play. He’s also been gaining muscle as of late, allowing him to throw off the occasional tackle even if someone does somehow manage to get hands on him. He also has great vision with the ball in his hands, an instinctive awareness of the right cut to make to find a running lane. Then, with that aforementioned speed and acceleration, he bursts through the running lane and gashes the defense for a big gain.
All of his skills after the catch combine to create a player with one particular elite trait: the ability to effectively reverse field. Now, at the next level, this could prove to be much riskier, but the potential he has to create beautiful art on the football field with this trait is too much to pass up. Because he’s quicker than everyone else, and because he sees the field better than everyone else, some of his best plays come from him reversing field on a short reception or kick return. Unsurprisingly, this makes him a great option to return kicks as well. That, more than anything else, is what makes his game a sight to behold.
It’s his creativity with the ball in his hands and his willingness to make any play needed no matter how seemingly impossible that makes DeVuan Jones a terrifying wide receiver to face. He already has multiple offers, including one FBS offer from UAB, so the colleges that have looked into him already believe in what he can bring. However, he’s still looking for the right home, and whatever team he ends up on will be lucky to have him.
Check out DeVuan’s highlights here!
What was your first experience with football? What got you into the game?
I got into football from watching my older brothers play – I saw them having fun and enjoying playing football.
What is your favorite football memory?
Playing this year, being able to play football with my younger brother.
What is your biggest strength on the field?
My biggest strength is either my speed or my ability to go up and get the ball out of the air
Which NFL player do you try to model your game after?
I get compared to Tank Dell, so probably him.
What has been your biggest improvement to your game over the past year?
My strength – I can break tackles now and not get tackled as easily.
What has the recruiting process been like for you?
It’s been good, I’m staying patient with it. I have offers from UAB, Lincoln Missouri, Kentucky St, and Fairmount.
What have you been doing outside of practice to improve your game?
I’ve been training outside of practice – working on my routes and perfecting my craft.
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