Jarvis Jones

Jarvis Jerrell Jones (born October 13, 1989) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Georgia, and was recognized as a consensus All-American twice.^[1] Due to his penchant for bone-shattering tackles during his time at Georgia, Jones is sometimes referred to as "Dawg Bones" Jones.^[2] The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Early years

Jones was born in Columbus, Georgia, and grew up in Lumpkin and Richland, Georgia. He attended Carver High School in Columbus, where he led his high school football team to a state title in 2007, and was rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.^[3] In addition to playing football, he was an all-state basketball player.^[1] He was ranked the 59th best high school prospect by ESPN.^[4] He played in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College career

2009 season

Jones attended University of Southern California (USC) for his freshman year, during which he saw action as a special teams and backup player for the USC Trojans Football team. In the first eight games, he recorded 13 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. During the game against Oregon Jones suffered a neck injury. He was later diagnosed with spinal stenosis and the USC medical staff would not clear him to play for the team again.^[5]

2010 season

After the USC medical staff would not allow Jones to practice in the spring of 2010, Jones asked for and was granted a release to transfer. His high school coach contacted Georgia, Auburn, and Florida State to discuss the possibility with the teams' coaches. After meeting with Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, Jones underwent medical testing by the Georgia staff and was cleared to play football for the University of Georgia. He would have to redshirt during the 2010 season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules.

2011 season

Jones started every game in the 2011 season, recording a career-high 4 sacks against Florida on October 29.^[1] He posted 70 total tackles including 19.5 for a loss, 13.5 sacks (which led the SEC),^[6] 2 forced fumbles and 26 quarterback hurries.

He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, having been named to the first teams of ESPN, the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association of America, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.^[7]

2012 season

In 12 games, Jones recorded 85 tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss, 14.5 sacks, 1 interception, 7 forced fumbles, and 2 fumbles recovered.^[8] He missed games against Kentucky and Florida Atlantic.^[9] He played an integral role in wins over Missouri and Florida.^[10][11] Jones has been named an AFCA First Team All-American and the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and voted The 2012 Premier Player of College Football by sports fans.^[12]

Professional career

2013 NFL Combine

Pittsburgh Steelers

2013: Rookie year

On April 25, 2013, Jones was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2013 NFL Draft.^[15] He began competing for a position at right outside linebacker with starter Jason Worilds and Terence Garvin. At the beginning of the season he was used as a back-up and rotated with Worilds. On September 8, 2013, he played in his first career game and recorded 2 solo tackles against the Tennessee Titans. The following week on September 16, he received his first start in place on Worilds and racked up a total of 8 tackles. The next four games he started in place of Worilds until Week 7. On November 10, 2013, he got his first career sack in a 23–10 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Jones came into to replace starting left outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley for the next three games, after he went down with an injury in Week 10. When the Steelers played the Browns during the last game of the 2013 season, he had a season-high 9 total tackles, 8 solo tackles, and a pass deflection.

He finished his rookie season with 40 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, a sack, and 4 pass deflections in 14 games and 8 starts.

2014

Jones began the 2014 season as the Steelers' starting right outside linebacker after the departure of LaMarr Woodley. On September 7, 2014, during the season opener against the Cleveland Browns, he had 6 tackles and registered his first sack of the year, matching his sack total from the year before (1). Over the first 3 games he had 14 tackles and 2 sacks.

On September 21, 2014, on Sunday Night Football against the Carolina Panthers, Jones suffered a cluttered wrist after forcing Cam Newton to fumble and left the game after recording his first career forced fumble and 2 tackles. Jones underwent wrist surgery the very next day and was placed on the injured/designated for return list. In place of Jones, the Steelers signed James Harrison on September 23.

In his first game back from his injury he had 3 tackles and a solo tackle in a Week 14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. On January 3, 2015, after the Steelers finished atop the AFC North with an 11–5 record, Jones played in his first career postseason game as the Steelers' lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 17–30. He finished his second season with 18 total tackles, a career-high 2 sacks, and a forced fumble.^[16]

2015

Jones played in fifteen games, all starts, for the team during the 2015 season, totaling fifteen solo tackles, fourteen tackle assists, two sacks, three pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.^[16]

Personal

His older brother, Darcell Kitchens, was murdered outside of a bar in Richland, Georgia, on January 9, 2005.^[17]

Endorsements

Jones signed an endorsement deal for Subway during April 2013, just days before the 2013 draft.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from NFL.com • ESPN • Pro-Football-Reference
• Pittsburgh Steelers bio
• Georgia Bulldogs bio