The work ethic has allowed him to appear in 54 career games for the Scarlet Knights – good for third most amongst his teammates and sixth overall in school history.
“I just try to lead by example,” Jones said. “I just try to put in the hard work each day to show others the right way to go about things.”
It has not been a linear path to success on the field for Jones, who suffered a knee injury during his senior year of high school at Cardinal Hayes in the Bronx. Jones used a redshirt season in 2017 before making his way into RU’s starting lineup.
“No matter what kind of adversity comes in front of you, you just have to prove to yourself you can do it,” Jones said.
Jones’ perseverance has paid off.
Since that redshirt season, Jones has started 33 games and has made a strong impact both on and off the field. Jones needs one more reception for 100 for his career and has tallied more than 1,100 yards receiving and five touchdowns.
Jones’ talent has been put on display on a number of fall Saturdays, including a banner outing two seasons ago at Purdue. Jones hauled in two first-quarter touchdowns against the Boilermakers to help RU to a 37-30 victory on the road in West Lafayette.
This season, Jones has recorded at least one reception in seven games. Last weekend at Michigan State, Jones hauled in a 31-yard touchdown pass from QB Gavin Wimsatt late in the fourth quarter to make it a one-possession game against the Spartans. It was Jones’ second career touchdown in East Lansing, as he also had one in 2020.
“That play meant a lot to me,” Jones said. “My first touchdown in 2020 was in the exact same spot. It was kind of a full-circle moment. I’m just blessed to be able to contribute the way I did even though we didn’t get the result we wanted [last week].”
Jones is one of six captains on this year’s team. It’s a role that he embraces, especially when it comes to mentoring his teammates in the wide receiver room. That unit features a group of younger players who have looked to Jones for guidance.
“When it comes to leadership, I just try to take it one day at a time,” Jones said. “I try my best to help everyone in that room and help everyone get prepared for each game.”
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