Deion Jones, Outside Linebacker
School: LSU | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6-0 / 221 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd Round
NFL Comparison: Joe Mays
College Statistics
Player Overview
Deion Jones hails from New Orleans, Louisiana and played his high school football at Jesuit in New Orleans. The 247sports composite ranked him as the 15th best player in Louisiana and 37th best outside linebacker. He was rated as a three star recruit in the 2012 recruiting class. In his senior year, he led Jesuit to one of the best seasons in school history, finishing 12-1 and reaching the quarterfinals of the 5A playoffs. He was also named LSWA Class 5A Outstanding Defensive Player and first-team All-State in 2011 after posting 179 tackles, eight sacks, five forced fumbles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Some other accolades include becoming a member of the ESPN All-Louisiana Football Team, being ranked No. 129 in the 2012 Final Southeast Top 150, being named the New Orleans 5A Catholic League Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, named to the New Orleans Times-Picayune 2012 Blue Chip list, listed on the 2011 Jackson Clarion Herald Elite Football Team and earning the New Orleans Times-Picayune Metro Defensive Player of the Year award.
He received a host of scholarship offers from top schools in the country including: LSU, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State, Kansas, Kansas State and Tulane.
One of the highlights of Jones's college career was in his senior year. He was named a Dick Butkus award finalist, an award given to the nation's top collegiate linebacker. After rising up the ladder during his time there. he finally got a chance to start a fyull season. He was very grateful for the honor and also talked about his work on special teams during his rise according to a piece written by ESPN's David Ching.
"To tell you the truth, I’m blessed and I’m honored to be one of the finalists for the Butkus, but the most important thing for me right now is to get this sour taste out of my mouth," Jones said. "I need to taste sweet victory," he added.
In talking about his role with LSU's special teams unit, he just wanted to make an impact on the team as a defensive player and before the season, being in the mix for the Butkus award wasn't on his mind.
"I’m not a selfish person, so it’s more like if they need me to play special teams, then I will play special teams. Simple as that," Jones said. "I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help this team win. All I wanted was to be a big part of LSU’s defense, which has always been my dream, and get after it -- any way, form or fashion," said Jones.
He will be participating in the 2016 Reeses Senior Bowl January 30th at 2:30 p.m. which can be seen on NFL Network.
What Twitter Says
Scouts "buzzing" about LSU OLB Deion Jones' coverage skills & reverse foot speed Quick read to ballcarrier-3rd Round pic.twitter.com/2g8rgx1TGD
— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) January 28, 2016
Deion Jones #LSU so smooth all week. Not the biggest, but definitely the most athletic linebacker down here
— NFL Draft Geek (@NFLDraftGeek) January 28, 2016
Looks like better weather at the @seniorbowl South team practice. Excited to watch LSU LB Deion Jones...clone of Tampa Bay LB Kwon Alexander
— Charles Davis (@CFD22) January 28, 2016
#LSU LB Deion Jones rocking the '0' jersey @seniorbowl practice. pic.twitter.com/rUlddme6tf
— Jim Kleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) January 26, 2016
LSU LB Deion Jones is working w/ the ILBs this week, but he looks like he'd be great as a 4-3 WLB. Moves like a safety.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 26, 2016
How He Would Fit on the Redskins
Jones would be a great addition to the Washington Redskins as he would add more depth to the 3-4 scheme they run. He would be coming from a 4-2-5 scheme that LSU ran but making the transition would not be too difficult for him I would think. Plus he guys like Ryan Kerrigan, Junior Galette and Trent Murphy could take him under their wing and bring him along.