From Harvard, to Kansas City and now, Foxborough.

Truman Jones’ brief NFL career has landed him with two of the most successful NFL franchises in the last two decades. Last year, Jones was a late addition to the Patriots in the final few weeks of the regular season. So far, he’s done enough in Mike Vrabel’s eyes to stick around.

“Yeah, he was an off-season award winner and worked extremely hard,” Vrabel said last Friday night prior to the in-stadium practice when asked about Jones. “Knows both spots, outside linebacker. He’s improved, I think, special teams. I think his special teams has improved. Looking forward to seeing that tonight, hopefully, and see some of that stuff tonight. But he’s a smart player and who I think physically has changed his body and is on par with what those outside linebackers look like.”

On Tuesday following a walkthrough before Washington rolls in for a joint practice on Wednesday, Jones was one of the players at a microphone meeting with the media for the first time. Here’s everything he had to say:

On playing in Foxborough after being at Harvard

“It’s great being close to where I went to school. The Harvard coaches were out here (Monday), so just being able to hang out with them and practice and put on a good show…but, just being closer to that community, being closer to that network, it’s been nice.”

On the transition from the Ivy League to the NFL

“It’s definitely a jump, but what I expected. The size and just…overall, people are a lot more skilled. Technique is better. Fundamentals are better, So, that’s something that you have to overcome. You can’t just run off of athleticism anymore. So, going into my third year, it’s something I’ve adjusted to, but still always growing and building on that.”

On feedback he received from the staff after repping with first team defense in a prior practice

“I think the feedback has just been pretty consistent of, you know, trying to build that consistency day in and day out. I have good days. I have bad days. I want to have more good days than bad days and making sure that I know my assignment, can play fast and play physical so I can hopefully get into that top group, yeah.”

On what the biggest surprise has been this spring and summer with the Patriots

“I think the biggest surprise has just been getting to know my teammates. Getting here late in the season last year in December, I didn’t get a chance to meet everybody in those four weeks that I was here. So, now I feel like I’ve really had a full offseason with the team, know most of my guys, know mostly everybody’s name and a little bit of their story. So, been surprising to just kind of see how well I can fit in here.”

On being an offseason award winner and if it had been a goal of his 

“I should have said that was the biggest surprise. I just showed up every day, wanted to give my best effort and my best work every day. So, if I could bring the energy, bring a little enthusiasm, even just bring a smile to the guys, it’s something that I tried to do. It’s something that came from Harvard, but comes from even before, just knowing how to work hard.”

On his relationship with Mike Vrabel

“I think it’s a good boss and person relationship. You know? Like, that’s the head guy and obviously, he played my position so he’s more critical and has a lot of feedback, but it’s been good. It’s been a solid relationship.”

On any advice he’s gotten about joint practices

“Yeah, the advice on joint practices are to treat them like games. Another team is coming into our stadium, our facility, so to take that very seriously. This is my first joint practice after three years, so that is just a new element that’s coming in. But, yeah, just preparing for it like I would a game or like any preseason game.”

On wearing No. 54 in New England

“Yeah. I mean, it’s definitely a legacy to live up to and I’m just doing the best I can with that. I was given this number, didn’t necessarily choose it. So, now that I have it, I have to try and earn it and try to keep it.”

On Terrell Williams being back at practice after having to leave on Monday 

“It’s just been great to have him back in the building. You know, his health is something that everyone knows about . We’re just constantly keeping him in our prayers and keeping him in our thoughts and know that he’s doing whatever he can to be back…I was in practice and didn’t know too much. I was worried and kind of just had to put it away while we were practicing.”