Kevin Jones (American football)

Football

Jones was born in Chester, Pennsylvania. With his natural ability and his father's training regimen, he became a highly conditioned athlete by the time he reached high school. Jones' undeniable talent forced his coach, George Stratts to reluctantly play him as a freshman at Cardinal O'Hara High School, located in Springfield, PA. Jones had immediate success on the field and was a four-year starter, breaking many school records. As a senior, he led his team to a Philadelphia Catholic League Championship and became the Catholic League's all-time leading rusher.

Jones is the inaugural winner of the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award, named the Hall Trophy, which is presented to the best high school football player in the country. Other notable recipients of the award include: Adrian Peterson, Jimmy Clausen, and Terrelle Pryor.

Track and field

Jones was an outstanding track and field athlete at Cardinal O'Hara High School. Jones excelled in the 60 meters and 100 meters, posting personal bests of 6.79 seconds and 10.59 seconds, respectively. In field events Jones recorded a personal best long jump of 6.92 meters, and 14.57 meters in the triple jump.

College reveal

In 2000, Jones was the No.1 overall recruit in the nation. Courted by many colleges, Kevin narrowed his choices to Penn State and Virginia Tech. To the surprise of many, Jones chose to become a Hokie, making his decision the day after a home visit from Virginia Tech Head Coach, Frank Beamer.

Jones said of his decision, "If you're a blue-chipper from Pennsylvania, you go to Penn State. But I've always been a little contrary. On the day of my press conference, I still hadn't decided between Virginia Tech and PSU. As I sat down in front of everybody, I had both jerseys with me. I pulled the Penn State jersey out of a bag and said, "I will ... not be attending Penn State." Then I ripped off my sweater and had a Mike Vick jersey on underneath. The entire room was flabbergasted."

Jones' college reveal was so highly anticipated that it was covered by several local news stations and was the top story of the day. Jones was the very first recruit ever to reveal his college choice using props. Since then, the use of props (hats, shirts, gear, music etc.) by recruits to announce their college choice has become a staple of the recruiting experience. The phenomenon can be credited to Jones, who was the first to ever do so with his reveal in 2000.

College career

Jones attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and played for coach Frank Beamer's, Virginia Tech Hokies football team from 2000 to 2003. He was the highest rated recruit to ever commit to the Virginia Tech football program. During his freshman season, Jones assumed the starting job, after an injury to starter, Lee Suggs. Jones set a school record for rushing yards from a freshman. In 2002, Suggs and Jones split time at tailback, and were together called "The Untouchables" as a result of a fan contest for giving the duo a nickname.

Kevin finished his college career with 3,475 yards and 35 touchdowns on 616 carries (an average of 5.6 yards per carry), and 24 receptions for 229 yards (an average of 9.5 yards per reception). His 3,475 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns both rank second on the school's career-record list.

Stats

Detroit Lions

Jones had a successful rookie season with the Lions and became only the third running back in franchise history to rush for 1,000+ yards in his rookie season, joining the ranks of Billy Sims and Hall of Famer, Barry Sanders. He was sidelined at the end of the 2006 season with a foot injury.

Jones, looked impressive early in the 2007 season in a backup role. Jones became the starter in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown in a Week 8 victory over the division rival Chicago Bears. But had another season-ending injury, creating concern about his durability.

On March 13, 2008, the Lions released Jones.

Chicago Bears

On July 14, 2008, it was reported that Jones would sign with either the Chicago Bears or the Pittsburgh Steelers. On July 15, 2008, he signed a one-year, $605,000 contract with the Bears.

On March 6, 2009, the Chicago Bears agreed to terms with Kevin Jones on a two-year contract worth approximately $3.5 million. The deal includes a $1 million bonus and $2 million in the first season. He was intended to be the primary backup to Matt Forte.

On September 3, 2009, Jones was injured during a preseason football game when he was hit out of bounds by Cleveland Browns linebacker Marcus Benard. He was out for the 2009 season with torn ligaments in his left ankle.

Jones was released on March 9, 2010 after the Bears signed Chester Taylor during the free agency period.

Hartford Colonials

On September 27, 2010 Jones signed with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL. In his only season with the Colonials, Jones played in 2 games where he rushed for 41 yards on 16 carries before being place on injured reserve on October 21, 2010.

Career after football

Jones returned to Virginia Tech as a student in 2011, to study Industrial design in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. While interning at a furniture design company in Switzerland, Kevin's boss asked him if he wanted to "go sailing". Jones obliged, expecting "a glass of wine in St. Tropez"; Kevin instead found himself assigned to the position of 'grinder' and the only American among the 22-man crew aboard the 68-foot racing yacht, "Caol ila R." By summer 2014, Jones had worked five races. Jones graduated with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Design in 2014.

In 2014, Virginia Tech hired Jones as "Special Assistant to the Athletic Director". Jones stepped down from the position on June 12, 2016.

In 2015, Jones co-founded a design firm in Blacksburg, VA named 'Void Design Haus'. The firm named changed to "JoBa" in 2016.