Greg Jones (linebacker, born 1988)

Greg Jones
No. 53 Toronto Argonauts
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: October 5, 1988
Place of birth: Cincinnati, Ohio
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Moeller
College: Michigan State
NFL draft: 2011 / Round: 6 / Pick: 185
Career history
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2012
Tackles: 35
Quarterback sacks: 0.0
Interceptions: 0
Stats at NFL.com

Gregory Jones II (born October 5, 1988) is an American football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for Michigan State University, and was a two-time All-American. The New York Giants selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he was a member of the Giants' Super Bowl championship team following the 2011 season. He has also played for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

Early years

Jones was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati. He was a two-time All-Greater Catholic League and PrepStar's All-Midwest Team selection for coach Bob Crable. As a junior in 2005, he had 13 tackles for losses, including three sacks. As a senior in 2006 he had 71 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

Jones was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was ranked as the 34th best outside linebacker in his class.[1] Scout.com had him ranked as the 24th best strong side linebacker.[2]

College career

Jones received an athletic scholarship to attend Michigan State University, where he played for the Michigan State Spartans football team from 2007 to 2010.

2007

As a true freshman in 2007, Jones was named a first-team Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, CollegeFootballNews.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. He led the Spartans with 78 tackles, becoming the first true freshman to lead the team in tackles since Dan Bass in 1976. The 78 tackles also ranked first among Big Ten freshmen. In his first career start, he had eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for losses against Northwestern. He also had four sacks.

2008

As a sophomore in 2008, Jones was named first-team All-Big Ten by the head coaches and second-team pick by the media. He was the first Spartan linebacker to earn All-Big ten first team since Josh Thornhill in 2001. Jones was also named to Collegefootballnews.com's all sophomore team. He was awarded Michigan State's Outstanding Underclass Back award. He started all 13 games, again leading the team in tackles with 127 and had two sacks.

2009

As a junior in 2009, Jones recorded 154 tackles and nine sacks and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.[3][4] The 154 tackles led the team for the third straight year and was most in the Big Ten. Jones was also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first Spartan to earn the honor. He earned first team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive year.

2010

As a senior in 2010 Jones had 98 tackles, a sack and two interceptions. He was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection for the third consecutive year, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.[4]

Professional career

New York Giants

The New York Giants selected Jones in the sixth round (185th overall pick) of the 2011 NFL Draft. Jones became the Giants' starting middle linebacker after a season-ending injury to Jonathan Goff. He was waived on August 31, 2012.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jones signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 12, 2012. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 24. He was released on May 6, 2013.

Tennessee Titans

On May 15, 2013, Jones signed with the Tennessee Titans. On August 26, 2013, he was waived/injured by the Titans.[5] On August 27, 2013, he cleared waivers and was placed on the Titans' reserve/injured list. On August 31, 2013, he was waived from reserve/injured with an injury settlement.

Toronto Argonauts

He signed with the Toronto Argonauts on March 27, 2014.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Greg Jones Rivals.com profile
  2. ↑ Greg Jones Scout.com profile
  3. ↑ Spartans' Jones a consensus All-American
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 12 (2011). Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Titans Waive 13 Players; Roster at 77". Titansonline.com. August 26, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ ARGONAUTS SIGN FOUR ON DEFENCE, ONE ON OFFENCE

External links