2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Adam Jones, RB, Montana State University

• Name: Adam Jones 
• Position: RB 
• College: Montana State University 
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 205 
• Twitter: AJonessy
• Instagram: adamjones322

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2027 NFL Draft?

What makes me a top prospect in the draft is my unique combination of skills that most running backs do not have all in one player. I play with an extremely high motor and can run downhill inside the box to earn tough, hard-nosed yards, while also having the home-run ability to make a big play anytime the ball is in my hands. I am an elite pass catcher and route runner out of the backfield, which allows me to impact the game in multiple ways. I also feel like one of the strongest parts of my game is my perimeter blocking and pass protection, which are extremely important at the NFL level. Most importantly, I believe I separate myself through my knowledge of the game and the way I prepare. I do not rely only on my talent. I take a lot of pride in my process, how I study film, and how I prepare for each opponent.

Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how you responded?

A time I faced adversity was during my redshirt freshman season in 2024, when I suffered a torn oblique. It happened just over halfway through the season, and I was fortunate enough to push through the pain and finish the year stronger than I ever imagined possible, especially considering how much pain I was in. However, after the heartbreaking end to that season, when we lost in the National Championship, I underwent surgery. The recovery process ended up being much longer than expected because of nerve damage and scar tissue that had built up.

It was one of the most frustrating times of my life. For the first time, I felt like I was not in a good place mentally, and it had a major effect on my happiness. I had to come to understand that, as a college football player, the game of football is extremely important to me and plays a huge role in my life. However, I also realized I had a problem with making it my entire identity.

Football is a beautiful game, and I believe there is a reason God has blessed me with the talents to play at this level. At the same time, football can take so much away from you so quickly that it is unrealistic to place all of your happiness and identity in it. I learned that through sitting out, battling back from injury, and having to look at the game from a different perspective. That experience taught me to fall in love with football again, but through a much different lens than before. Now, it is more about the process than the outcome, and that is something I learned through my struggles in 2024.

Even though I did not miss any games the following season, that experience taught me a lot about who I was as both a player and a person, and where I wanted to go. I pushed myself harder than I thought was possible physically, but even more so mentally. That adversity helped shape me, and I feel like it has served me well both as a man and as a football player.

What are your hobbies outside of football?

Golf, fly fishing, hiking, hunting, and being anywhere outdoors in MT

What role do you see yourself playing at the next level?

I see myself being every down back that can truly make an impact in the NFL on special teams and as a RB.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

Children’s cancer and mental health research. 

How do you handle coaching, especially criticism or being corrected repeatedly?

I like to be coached hard and don’t take offense when coaches are willing to push my limits. I feel like if I am having to be corrected repeatedly, then that is a problem I need to look within myself and change something or work until I figure it out. I also am a player who enjoys the coach-to-player relationship and think it is extremely important for the success of a positional room and furthermore, the offensive side of the ball. 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

Patrick Duchien

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why did you choose them?

If I could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, I would choose Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, and Theodore Roosevelt.

I chose Bill Russell because his mentality and the dynasty he helped create with the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969 were truly remarkable. After reading a book that went into much deeper detail about that team, what stood out to me most was Russell’s mindset. He was not always the leading scorer, passer, or the player who filled up every major statistical category, yet he was undoubtedly the most important figure in that team’s success. He understood winning at a level that very few athletes ever have. Bill Russell even declined his original induction into the Hall of Fame because he felt it did not honor his teammates enough. I would love to hear from him about what made that run so special and what he believes kept that team at the top for so long.

I chose Muhammad Ali because I love the sport of boxing. The idea of standing in the center of the ring, completely alone, with no one to help you but yourself, while another man is trying to knock you out, is unbelievable to me. To succeed in that environment, you have to be different mentally. I would want to ask Ali what he believed allowed him to reach that level of confidence, toughness, and greatness. Muhammad Ali also transcended the sport of boxing and became something much bigger than an athlete, and I admire people in sports history who are able to have that kind of impact.

Finally, I chose Theodore Roosevelt because I believe he was one of the greatest leaders of all time. His knowledge, toughness, and ability to lead both men and a nation were incredible. His quotes are also something I find myself coming back to often, especially because they apply so well to sports and competition. “The Man in the Arena” quote is, in my opinion, one of the greatest sets of lines to live by as a competitor, and it is something I will always carry with me.

If you were benched tomorrow, what would be the most likely reason?

If I were benched tomorrow, it would be because I wasn’t upholding or meeting the standard that I hold myself to in some area – whether it’s consistency, execution, or lack of attention to detail in certain areas. I believe you have to earn your keep every single day, and if I fail to do that, then my coach has the authority to bench me, and my response would be to fix it immediately. 

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine?

My typical pre-game routine starts when I wake up in the morning. I get in the shower, have a cup of coffee, and start getting my mind right. On the way to the facility or pre-game walkthrough, I usually listen to gospel music because it helps me stay calm, grounded, and focused.

From there, we usually have our pre-game walkthrough or pre-game meal. That time is important because it allows us to go over last-minute reminders, keys to the game, and what we need to execute in the game plan.

After that, I head to the facility, or if we are on the road, I find a space to stretch and prepare my body. I usually go through my RPR routine to activate my body and get ready. As we get closer to heading to the field, I start ramping up the energy and usually switch over to rap music.

Once we get to the field or locker room, I like to do hot and cold tub contrast before I get taped. Then I get taped, put my gear on, and head out to the field. Once I am out there, I go through my RPR routine again to wake up my nervous system and make sure my body feels ready to play.

About five minutes before we run out, I go through my mental training routine. I use visualization and positive self-talk to get my mind ready. I visualize having success, how it will feel to execute at a high level, and how I will respond if adversity shows up. I always end that time by thanking God, and then I repeat positive self-talk like, “I’m the best player on this field, and no one can stop me.” That helps put me in the right headspace.

From there, we get into our normal team pre-game routine, and at that point, I am locked in and ready to go.

What is your favorite snack food?

Any type of fruit

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in?

Outside/mid zone run game schemes. Any scheme that is creative with using the RB in the pass and moving me around to create favorable matchups, I feel like I fit well into. 

What is your degree in?

Civil Engineering 

What would be the first thing you buy with your first NFL check?

Invest in real estate. 

Describe a time in a game where you feel you made a mistake, and explain how you bounced back.

This past season, when we played our rival at their place in Missoula, Montana, I made a mistake on the first drive of the game. I took my eyes off the signalers too quickly, ended up getting the wrong signal, and ran the wrong way on one of my routes. Because of that, I messed up the concept and spacing for our receivers and quarterback. It was a loss of focus in that moment, and although it did not result in a turnover or anything major, I felt like I disrupted the flow of the drive for my quarterback.

I bounced back quickly by owning up to my mistake and not making any excuses for how or why it happened. I felt like my teammates respected the way I handled it in that moment. For the rest of the game, I put myself in a strong place mentally and made sure I did not allow one early mistake to turn into multiple mistakes.

After that, I felt like I played extremely physical and violent. I had something to prove on every play, and I was proud of the way I responded. More importantly, I was extremely proud of how that game went for our team.

Name three songs that we can expect on your playlist?

1. Prospect – Ian Dior (feat. Lil Baby)
2. Folgers Crystals – J. Cole, Dreamville 
3. Praise – Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake