The North Carolina Tar Heels entered their 2024 college football season with plenty of questions, with one of their most important questions being who would replace the production of Devontez Walker as WR1?
UNC quickly found its answer in the form of J.J. Jones, a senior wide receiver from Myrtle Beach, SC.
Jones caught 34 passes for 570 yards and a career-high six touchdowns during the regular season, with his best statistical game coming in a blowout win over Virginia. Jones’ yardage total was 220 more than the next-closest receiver, Kobe Paysour.
Similar to Walker last year, Jones is fighting for an extra year of eligibility. That appears to be a battle Jones will lose, though.
On Friday, December 27, Jones told Tar Heel Illustrated’s Nick Delahanty the NCAA denied his appeal for an extra year of eligibility.
Delahanty mentioned that Jones will try one more time for an extra eligibility push, but it looks like the Fenway Bowl will be Jones’ last game at North Carolina.
JJ Jones told me the NCAA denied his appeal for another year. He was supposed to redshirt his first year but was forced into action for the game at Notre Dame. He also missed time with injuries and had quite a few games early on with just a few snaps.
He said he will try one…
— Tar Heel Illustrated (@HeelIllustrated) December 27, 2024
Jones doesn’t get a COVID year (started in 2021), so why is he asking for an extra year? Jones is arguing the 2021 season: as he was initially a redshirt, but that was removed during the Notre Dame game.
If Jones is playing his final game as a Tar Heel, we’ve enjoyed having him in Chapel Hill. I can’t think of a player who will support his teammates more than Jones: he was the first to wear Tylee Craft’s jersey in a game, plus he launched NC State’s flag into the stands after an unsuccessful plant attempt.
UNC has a 4-game losing streak in bowl games, so the Fenway Bowl would be a perfect time for Jones to deliver a career day.
If Jones IS…
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