Jarvis Jones
refer to caption
Jones with the Steelers in 2013
No. 95, 93
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1989-10-13) October 13, 1989
Lumpkin, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:George Washington Carver (Columbus, Georgia)
College:
NFL Draft:2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:128
Sacks:6
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:3
Interceptions:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Jarvis Jerrell Jones (born October 13, 1989) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for the University of Georgia, and was recognized as a consensus All-American twice. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, playing for them for four seasons before retiring following a short stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017.

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.[1] In addition to playing football, he was an all-state basketball player.[2] He was ranked the 59th best high school prospect by ESPN.[3] He played in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[4][5]

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.[6]

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.[7] 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.[2] He posted 70 total tackles including 19.5 for a loss, 13.5 sacks (which led the SEC),[8] 2 forced fumbles and 26 quarterback hurries.[9]

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.[10]

2012 season

On January 13, 2012, head coach Mark Richt announced that Jones would return for his senior year.[11] In 12 games, Jones recorded 85 tackles (52 solo), 24.5 tackles-for-loss (best in NCAA), 14.5 sacks, one interception, seven forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.[12] He missed the games against Kentucky and Florida Atlantic,[13][14] but played an integral role in wins over Missouri and Florida.[15][16] Jones was 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.[17] On January 4, 2013, Jones declared for the NFL Draft.[18]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in
(1.89 m)		 245 lb
(111 kg)		 33 in
(0.84 m)		 9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.88 s1.66 s2.79 s4.71 s7.46 s30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine and the Georgia Bulldog's pro day.[19][20]

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Jones in the first round (17th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft.[21][22] Sports Illustrated analyst Andy Benoit praised the pick in The Fifth Down blog.[23] He signed a four-year deal worth $8.705 million with a $4.7 million signing bonus.[24]

2013

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 of Worilds and racked up a total of 8 tackles. The next four games he started in place of Worilds until Week 7.[25] On October 29, 2013, head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Jones would be benched following the team's Week 8 loss against the Oakland Raiders.[26]

On November 10, 2013, he got his first career sack in a 23–10 victory over the Buffalo Bills.[27] Jones came in 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.[28]

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.[29] Jones underwent wrist surgery the very next day and was placed on the injured/designated for return list.[30] To replace Jones, the Steelers signed James Harrison on September 23.[31]

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.[28]

2015

Jones played in 15 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.[28]

2016

On May 2, 2016, the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on Jones, making him a free agent after the 2016 season.[32] He played in 14 games, had 42 combined tackles, 29 solo tackles, 13 tackle assists, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles.[28]

In week 10, after the Steelers 35-30 loss to the Cowboys, he was replaced by James Harrison in the starting lineup for Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns.[33]

Jones has recorded 6 sacks throughout his career with the Steelers. However, he has struggled to develop into an effective pass rusher and live up to expectations as a first-round draft pick. He has been labeled as a "bust" by fans and other media outlets following his performance with the team.[34] The selection of Jones has been labeled as the Steelers worst draft pick by Pro Football Focus dating back to 2006.[35]

Arizona Cardinals

On March 14, 2017, Jones signed with the Arizona Cardinals.[36][37] On September 2, 2017, the Cardinals released Jones with an injury settlement.[38]

Personal life

His older brother, Darcell Kitchens, was murdered outside of a bar in Richland, Georgia, on January 9, 2005.[39] Jones signed an endorsement deal for Subway just days before he was drafted.[40] He later unveiled a statue bust of himself along with other Subway sandwiches, following in the footsteps of quarterback Robert Griffin III.[41] In 2019, he returned to the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in Human Development and Family Science.[42]

References

  1. ↑ "Jarvis Jones - Yahoo! Sports". November 5, 2013. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Player Bio: Jarvis Jones". Georgia Athletics. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Football Recruiting - Jarvis Jones". ESPN. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Rivals.com - 2009 U.S. Army All-American Selection Tour". n.rivals.com.
  5. ↑ "Murray, two local stars lead East in U.S. All-American Bowl | Score Atlanta".
  6. ↑ "The Mag: Jarvis Jones tops NFL draft boards". October 4, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, David. "Jarvis Jones: What Georgia Gets in the USC Transfer". Bleacher Report.
  8. ↑ "Top 20 college players at midseason". National Football League. October 22, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  9. ↑ Frank, Vincent. "Jarvis Jones: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Georgia LB". Bleacher Report.
  10. ↑ David Ching, Another honor for Jones and Jones, ESPN.com, December 10, 2011
  11. ↑ "Jarvis Jones, All-American linebacker, to return for senior season at Georgia". al. Associated Press. January 14, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Jarvis Jones". sports-reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  13. ↑ Fowler, Jeremy (October 20, 2012). "Georgia LB Jarvis Jones out vs. Kentucky". CBSSports.
  14. ↑ "Georgia LB Jarvis Jones sitting out vs. FAU". Deseret News. Associated Press. September 15, 2012.
  15. ↑ Towers, Chip (September 8, 2012). "On historic night in Missouri, Jarvis Jones makes history for Georgia". Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  16. ↑ Smith, Loran (October 30, 2012). "Jarvis Jones' performance against Florida all-time best in series". Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  17. ↑ White, Chris (December 3, 2012). "Jarvis Jones named AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year; 5 other Bulldogs on All-SEC team". Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  18. ↑ Ching, David (January 4, 2013). "Jarvis Jones declares for draft". ESPN.com.
  19. ↑ "2013 NFL Draft Profile: Jarvis Jones". NFL.com. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  20. ↑ "*Jarvis Jones - Georgia, OLB : 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  21. ↑ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  22. ↑ Hanzus, Dan (April 25, 2013). "Jarvis Jones selected by Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 17". NFL.com. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  23. ↑ Benoit, Andy (April 29, 2013). "Why Jarvis Jones Was Perfect Pick for Steelers".
  24. ↑ "Jarvis Jones, Pittsburgh Steelers reach contract". NFL.com. June 3, 2013.
  25. ↑ Uhlhorn, Michael (October 29, 2013). "Worilds ahead of Jones on depth chart". Behind the Steel Curtain.
  26. ↑ Sanchez, Josh (October 29, 2013). "Steelers demote Jarvis Jones".
  27. ↑ Brown, Scott (November 11, 2013). "Jarvis Jones records elusive first sack". ESPN.com.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "NFL.com Player Profile:Jarvis Jones". NFL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  29. ↑ Bryan, Dave (September 21, 2014). "Jarvis Jones leaves Panthers game after wrist injury". steelersdepot.com. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  30. ↑ Schmidt, Patrick (September 22, 2014). "Jarvis Jones placed on injured reserve". fansided.com. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  31. ↑ "James Harrison signs with Steelers". ESPN.com. September 23, 2014.
  32. ↑ Jackson, Zac (May 2, 2016). "Steelers won't pick up fifth year option on Jarvis Jones". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Jason Mackey. Retrieved May 2, 2016. Source: Steelers are not picking up the fifth-year option on Jarvis Jones.
  33. ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (November 16, 2016). "James Harrison to replace Jarvis Jones in starting lineup". CBSSports. Mark Kaboly. Retrieved November 16, 2016. James Harrison is back in the Pittsburgh Steelers starting lineup. Initially reported by Mark Kaboly of DKPittsburghSports.com, Harrison will replace Jarvis Jones
  34. ↑ Patuto, Greg (April 16, 2020). "5 biggest NFL draft busts in Pittsburgh Steelers history". ClutchPoints.
  35. ↑ Zazky, Jason (July 3, 2021). "Ex-Georgia Linebacker Named Worst Steelers Draft Pick of PFF Era". Heavy.com.
  36. ↑ Urban, Darren (March 14, 2017). "Jarvis Jones Signing Adds Linebacker Depth". AZCardinals.com.
  37. ↑ Orr, Conor (March 14, 2017). "Jarvis Jones signs with Arizona Cardinals". NFL.com.
  38. ↑ Urban, Darren (September 2, 2017). "Cardinals Make Moves To Reach 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017.
  39. ↑ Achlabach, Mark (September 26, 2012). "Jones motivated by brother's murder". ESPN. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Time To Hunker Down: Subway Signs NFL Prospect Jarvis Jones To Endorsement Deal". April 24, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  41. ↑ Wilner, Barry (April 23, 2013). "Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones unveils life-size statue made of... sandwich". Toronto Star.
  42. ↑ Berger, Cale (May 13, 2021). "Former Steeler Jarvis Jones Graduates from Georgia". Steelers Now.
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