NC State’s Bradley Chubb, Josh Jones consider NFL draft options

Junior safety Josh Jones and junior defensive end Bradley Chubb have submitted their names to the NFL’s college advisory committee for draft feedback, N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said Thursday.

Jones led the Wolfpack in tackles (106) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (two). Chubb tied for the ACC lead with 21 tackles for loss and had a team-best 9.5 sacks.

They were the backbone of an improved Wolfpack defensive unit which ranked No. 5 in the country against the run and in the top 35 in scoring and total defense.

Doeren doesn’t expect a decision from either player before the Wolfpack’s date with Vanderbilt in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 26.

“We submitted their information, and we’re just waiting for it to come back,” Doeren said. “They’re focused on winning this bowl game. Once we get the information back, we’ll sit down.”

Chubb, whose brother Brandon is a rookie on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, said he would talk with his family and take time after the bowl to make a decision.

“I’m still talking to everybody I can,” Chubb said. “I’m nowhere near close to a decision.”

Jones said he hasn’t had time to think about what he will do next season. He said his primary focus has been preparing for the Commodores (6-6).

“Everything after that will take care of itself,” Jones said. “I haven’t even put much thought into it, to be honest.”

Both Chubb (6 feet 4, 284 pounds) and Jones (6-2, 210 pounds) have NFL size and both have the natural athletic talent to test well in a combine setting.

Both are also coming off terrific seasons. Jones, in particular, had a major bounce back from his 2015 season. His improvement, to go with what was timed as a sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash, will boost his draft potential.

Doeren also said that Jones was a better tackler this season and a better teammate. Chubb was the Wolfpack’s primary pass rusher and emerged as one of the best defensive ends in the ACC.

Doeren said he would talk more with the players after the bowl game. They have until Jan. 16 to submit their names for the April draft.

N.C. State has had mixed results with early entrants in the draft. Tight end David Grinnage left last season and went undrafted. Cornerback David Amerson came out as a junior and was a second-round pick in 2013, linebacker Terrell Manning was a fifth-round pick the year before.

If both Jones and Chubb come back, the Wolfpack could have as many as nine starters back from this year’s group which jumped from No. 51 to No. 33 in scoring defense this season.

Doeren said there’s only one way for the players to make the important decision.

“You go through the pros and cons with them … and you let them make a great decision,” Doeren said.

This story was originally published December 15, 2016 at 5:43 PM with the headline "NC State’s Bradley Chubb, Josh Jones consider NFL draft options."