For Tulane defensive back Jarius Monroe, it’s always been about proving himself at each level of football.
It happened when he started 32 games for FCS Nicholls State over three years. He then transferred to Tulane before the 2022 season. While he wasn’t a starter at first, once Monroe got into the lineup, he was a major fixture.
After this past season, he competed in the East-West Shrine game in Frisco and earned defensive MVP honors.
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Still, there would be another hurdle to clear because Monroe wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine. For the past few months, he has been preparing diligently for the NFL draft (April 25-27 in Detroit).
Whether Monroe is a Day 3 draft selection or a priority undrafted free agent, he has a quiet confidence about succeeding in the NFL.
“I have talked to a lot of teams, had private workouts and really I don’t like to put my business out there,” Monroe said in an interview with HERO Sports. “Whether I get drafted or am a free agent, I am ready to get the chance to make a 53-man roster.”
Then pausing, he added, “I can only worry about what I can control.”
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound Monroe will offer teams versatility. He played corner at Tulane but saw time at both safety and corner during the East-West Shrine game. Monroe recorded the lone interception of the game and also had a pass breakup.
He began his first season at Tulane in 2022 as the Green Wave’s third cornerback, but after an injury, Monroe was thrust into the starting role.
Monroe ended up earning First Team All-American Athletic Conference honors in each of his two seasons at Tulane.
During the 2022 season, Tulane was the AAC champion and then beat USC 46-45 in the Cotton Bowl. In that game, Monroe intercepted Caleb Williams, who is projected to be the first player selected in this year’s draft. Against USC, Monroe had seven tackles, including one tackle for loss, and a pass breakup.
“I was banged up that game and they kept testing me, but I thought I played well that game,” he said.
This year, Tulane again advanced to the AAC title game, only losing this time to SMU, 26-14. Despite the loss, Monroe had a big game, with one interception, three tackles, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups.
During his two years at Tulane, he had some of his best performances in the biggest games. He certainly followed in the footsteps of his brother Darion, who was a four-year starter in the secondary for Tulane from 2012-15.
In his final season at Tulane, Monroe had three interceptions for the second year in a row, along with 48 tackles.
Then came his strong showing in the East-West Shrine game. Monroe thought he would earn an invitation to the combine, but when it didn’t come, it was time for Monroe to again regroup.
“It was something I had to deal with my whole life, getting overlooked or not getting recognition,” Monroe said. “What I do is try to play my game and hope that people like what they see.”
He also tried to make a positive out of not being invited to the combine.
“I was riding so high on my horse after getting the MVP (in the East-West Shrine game), and not going to the combine humbled me more and made me work even harder,” he said.
Monroe said he had great experiences at both Nicholls and Tulane, and the experience he gained at both schools has helped him develop immensely.
He played in 59 career college games, 27 at Tulane and 32 at Nicholls.
Monroe has grown so much since his freshman year at Nicholls when he was a starter in the FCS playoffs in a 37-13 loss to Trey Lance and North Dakota State. Transferring to Tulane was a chance to play near his home in LaPlace, Louisiana, while also testing his skill against FBS competition.
“I got so much out of playing at Nicholls, but I wanted to play against better competition,” he said. “It was a great experience at Tulane and now I am looking forward to prove myself again.”
