{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Tony Jones Jr. | image = | caption = | current_team = | number = | position = Running back | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|11|24}} | birth_place = St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 224 | high_school = IMG Academy {{nowrap|(Bradenton, Florida)}} | college = Notre Dame (2016–2019) | undraftedyear = 2020 | pastteams = * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2022}}) * Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2022}}) * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2023}})* * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2023}}) * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}}) * Arlington Renegades ({{UFL Year|2025}}) * BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2026}})* | status = | cflstatus = American | highlights = | statleague = | statweek = | statseason = | statlabel1 = Rushing yards | statvalue1 = 329 | statlabel2 = Rushing average | statvalue2 = 3.4 | statlabel3 = Receptions | statvalue3 = 17 | statlabel4 = Receiving yards | statvalue4 = 96 | statlabel5 = Total touchdowns | statvalue5 = 3 | pfr = JoneTo04 }}
'''Tony Terrell Jones Jr.''' (born November 24, 1997) is an American professional football running back. He has previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
==Early life== Jones Jr. attended St. Petersburg Catholic High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Irish |first=Bayou |date=February 3, 2016 |title=Signature Moves: Tony Jones |url=https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/02/03/signature-moves-tony-jones/ |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=Her Loyal Sons}}</ref> He played baseball and football in high school.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlage |first=Todd |date=November 21, 2019 |title=Tony Jones Jr.: A Case Study in Patience and Performance |url=https://und.com/tony-jones-patience-and-performance/ |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=UND.com}}</ref> As a senior in football, he had 78 carries for 514 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jones Jr. played in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-11-18 |title=Army All-American Tony Jones pays tribute to grandfather who served in military |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2015/army-all-american-tony-jones-pays-tribute-to-grandfather-who-served-in-military |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=USA TODAY High School Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> He committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Brendan |date=March 22, 2015 |title=2016 RB Tony Jones Jr. Commits to Notre Dame! |url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2015/3/22/8273217/2016-rb-tony-jones-jr-commits-to-notre-dame |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=OneFootDown.com}}</ref>
==College career== Jones Jr. did not see the field as a true freshman in 2016. As a redshirt freshman at Notre Dame in 2017, Jones Jr. played in 12 games and had 44 carries for 232 yards and three touchdowns. As a redshirt sophomore in 2018, he played in 13 games and had 392 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Jones Jr. took over as the starting running back his redshirt junior year in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulvena |first=Connor |date=2019-11-22 |title=Tony Jones Jr.'s time to shine at running back // The Observer |url=https://ndsmcobserver.com/2019/11/tony-jones-big/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=The Observer |language=en}}</ref> He missed a game and a half due to cartilage damage in his ribs suffered during a loss to Michigan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arend |first=Alek |date=October 31, 2019 |title=Brian Kelly Announces New Injury Update For RB Tony Jones Jr. |url=https://thespun.com/independents/notre-dame-fighting-irish/brian-kelly-announces-new-injury-update-for-rb-tony-jones-jr |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=The Spun}}</ref> Jones Jr. graduated in December and announced that he would not return to Notre Dame for his fifth year, in order to enter the 2020 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karels |first=Carter |date=December 31, 2019 |title=Tony Jones Jr. declares for the NFL Draft, leaving intrigue for Notre Dame's running back room |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2019/12/31/tony-jones-jr-declares-nfl-draft-leaving-intrigue-notre-dames-running-back-room/2788531001/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=IndyStar.com}}</ref>
In the 2019 Camping World Bowl, Jones Jr. had a 84 yard touchdown run that broke the record for longest run in Notre Dame bowl game history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vowles |first=Joshua |date=December 28, 2019 |title=WATCH Tony Jones Jr. take it 84 yards to the house to put Notre Dame up 27-6 over Iowa State |url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2019/12/28/21040513/watch-tony-jones-jr-take-it-84-yards-to-the-house-to-put-notre-dame-up-27-6-over-iowa-state-irish |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=OneFootDown.com}}</ref> Jones Jr. rushed for 857 yards and six touchdowns in his senior season.
At the end of the season, Jones Jr. was selected to play in the 2020 East-West Shrine Game in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Torello |first=Chris |date=January 16, 2020 |title=St. Pete Native Begins NFL Journey at East-West Shrine Bowl |url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/sports/2020/01/16/st--pete-native-begins-nfl-journey-at-east-west-shrine-bowl |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=BayNews9.com}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 10 1/2 | weight = 220 | dash = 4.68 | ten split = 1.58 | twenty split = 2.72 | shuttle = 4.21 | cone drill = 7.18 | vertical = 32.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 11 | bench = 13 | arm span = 30 5/8 | hand span = 9 1/2 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 2 1/8 | wonderlic = | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tony-jones/32004a4f-4e76-4018-3eec-a5a491649382 |title=Tony Jones Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=September 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1017939&DraftYear=2020 |title=2020 Draft Scout Tony Jones Jr, Notre Dame NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}</ref> }}
===New Orleans Saints (first stint)=== Jones Jr. signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Saints add 13 undrafted free agents |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-add-13-undrafted-free-agents-2020 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |date=April 27, 2020 |accessdate=September 16, 2020}}</ref> He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saints announce 53-man roster reductions for 2020|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-roster-2020-nfl-roster-cuts-53-man|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=September 5, 2020|accessdate=September 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce practice squad additions|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-practice-squad-additions-2020-roster|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=September 6, 2020|accessdate=September 16, 2020}}</ref> He was elevated to the active roster on January 2, 2021, for the team's Week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-01022021 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |date=January 2, 2021 |access-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303015744/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-01022021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On January 18, 2021, Jones Jr. signed a reserve/futures contract with the Saints.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bouda, Nate |title=Saints Sign 13 Players To Futures Deals, Release WR Jake Kumerow From PS |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/saints-sign-13-players-to-futures-deals-release-wr-jake-kumerow-from-ps/ |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> On September 2, 2021, Jones Jr. made the 53-man roster for the Saints after rushing 106 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown, along with 42 receiving yards on six receptions in two preseason games.<ref>{{cite news |author=Vitovitch, Frank |title=38 Former Notre Dame Football Players Make NFL Rosters |url=https://www.uhnd.com/football/2021/09/02/38-former-notre-dame-football-players-make-nfl-rosters/ |website=UHND.com |date=September 2, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> He suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve on October 6, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ryquell Armstead signed to Saints practice squad, Tony Jones Jr. to I.R.|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/06/saints-tony-jones-injured-reserve-ryquell-armstead-nfl-news/|work=Saints Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=October 6, 2021}}</ref> He was activated on November 20.
On October 8, 2022, Jones Jr. was waived by the Saints.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x1892|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=October 8, 2022}}</ref>
===Seattle Seahawks=== On October 10, 2022, Jones Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seahawks Claim RB Tony Jones Off Waivers|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-claim-rb-tony-jones-off-waivers|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> He was waived on December 21 and signed to the practice squad on December 26.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign DT Daviyon Nixon, Waive RB Tony Jones Jr.|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-dt-daviyon-nixon-waive-rb-tony-jones-jr|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=December 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign RB Godwin Igwebuike Off Practice Squad, Place S Joey Blount On Injured Reserve.|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-rb-godwin-igwebuike-off-practice-squad-place-s-joey-blount-on-inju|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=December 26, 2022}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on January 13, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign RB Tony Jones Jr. To 53-Man Roster; Elevate Cade Johnson & Alexander Johnson From Practice Squad|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-rb-tony-jones-jr-to-53-man-roster-elevate-cade-johnson-alexander-j|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=January 13, 2023}}</ref>
===Denver Broncos=== On March 23, 2023, Jones Jr. was signed by the Denver Broncos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign RB Tony Jones Jr.|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-rb-tony-jones-jr|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=March 23, 2023}}</ref> On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the Broncos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos have waived running back Tony Jones Jr.|url=https://www.milehighreport.com/2023/8/29/23850786/broncos-waived-tony-jones-jr|author=Lynch, Tim|website=MileHighReport.com|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints (second stint)=== On August 30, 2023, Jones Jr. was signed by the Saints to their practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saints bring back RB Tony Jones Jr. to their practice squad|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/saints-bring-back-rb-tony-205108637.html|author=Sliger, John|website=Yahoo.com|date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> Jones Jr. was elevated to the active roster on September 18 and ran for 34 yards on 12 carries and scored his first two NFL career touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers following an injury to Jamaal Williams late in the first half of the Saints' Week 2 game.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Saints 20-17 Carolina Panthers: Tony Jones Jr scores double as Bryce Young is swarmed by Saints defense |url=https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12118/12964589/new-orleans-saints-20-17-carolina-panthers-tony-jones-jr-scores-double-as-bryce-young-is-swarmed-by-saints-defense |website=Sky Sports |access-date=September 19, 2023}}</ref> Following the game, Jones Jr. was signed to the active roster on September 20, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sigler |first=John |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Saints promote practice squad RB Tony Jones Jr. to their 53-man roster |url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2023/09/20/saints-sign-running-back-tony-jones-jr-practice-squad-roster-moves/ |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=Saints Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> He was released on October 7.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves ahead of Sunday's game at New England|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-ahead-of-sunday-s-game-at-new-england|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=October 7, 2023}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On October 9, 2023, Jones Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardinals claim RB Tony Jones off waivers|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cards/2023/10/09/cardinals-claim-rb-tony-jones-off-waivers/71125517007/|author=Root, Jess|website=USA Today|date=October 9, 2023}}</ref> He was waived on October 19, and re-signed to the practice squad. Jones Jr. was signed to the active roster on November 2.<ref name="y700">{{cite web | last=Root | first=Jess | title=Cardinals sign RB Tony Jones Jr. to active roster | website=Cards Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2023-11-02 | url=https://cardswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/02/cardinals-sign-rb-tony-jones-jr-to-active-roster/ | access-date=2025-01-14}}</ref> He was released on November 9,<ref>{{cite web |title=Cardinals waive RB Tony Jones Jr. with James Conner nearing return, reports say |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3537865/cardinals-waive-rb-tony-jones-jr-with-james-conner-nearing-return-reports-say/ |website=Arizona Sports |access-date=10 November 2023}}</ref> but re-signed to the practice squad two days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-activate-james-conner-to-roster-from-ir|title=Cardinals Activate James Conner To Roster From IR|date=November 11, 2023|accessdate=November 11, 2023|first=Darren|last=Urban|work=AZCardinals.com}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardinals Sign Eight Players To 'Futures' Deals|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-sign-eight-players-to-futures-deals|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> He was released following an injury on August 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardinals Trim Roster To Get To 53 For Regular Season|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-trim-roster-to-get-to-53-for-2024-regular-season|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
On December 18, 2024, the Cardinals re–signed Jones Jr. to their practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Practice Window Opened For Matt Prater, Michael Palardy To Roster|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/practice-window-opened-for-matt-prater-michael-palardy-to-roster|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=December 18, 2024}}</ref>
=== Arlington Renegades === On May 7, 2025, Jones Jr. signed with the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Larsen |first1=James |title=Arlington Renegades Sign Tony Jones Jr., Lose Kalen Ballage |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/arlington-renegades-sign-tony-jones-jr-lose-kalen-ballage/ |website=PFnewsroom |access-date=8 May 2025}}</ref>
=== BC Lions === On January 26, 2026, Jones Jr. left the Renegades to sign with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).<ref>{{Cite web |title=BC Lions Transactions |url=https://www.bclions.com/transactions/ |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=BC Lions |language=en}}</ref> On May 12, 2026, Jones Jr. was released by the Lions, as part of their initial round of preseason roster cuts but was re-signed nine days later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BC Lions Transactions |url=https://www.bclions.com/transactions/ |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=BC Lions |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Heilman |first1=Michael |title=B.C. Lions re-sign running back Tony Jones Jr. |url=https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2026/05/21/b-c-lions-re-sign-running-back-tony-jones-jr/ |website=BGMSportsTrax.com |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> On May 25, he was released again following the Lions first 2026 preseason game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heilman |first1=Michael |title=B.C. Lions release RB Tony Jones Jr. and DB Donovan “D.K.” Kaufman |url=https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2026/05/25/b-c-lions-release-rb-tony-jones-jr-and-db-donovan-d-k-kaufman/ |website=BGMSportsTrax.com |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref>
== NFL career statistics == {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" ! colspan="2" |Legend |- |'''Bold''' |Career high |} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="5" |Rushing ! colspan="5" |Receiving ! colspan="5" |Returning ! colspan="2" |Fumbles |- !GP !GS !Att !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD !Rec !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD !Ret !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD !Fum !Lost |- !2020 !NO |1 |1 |3 |13 |'''4.3''' |6 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- !2021 !NO |'''11''' |'''4''' |'''54''' |'''142''' |2.6 |11 |0 |'''5''' |'''29''' |5.8 |'''19''' |0 |'''1''' |'''5''' |'''5''' |'''5''' |0 |0 |0 |- ! rowspan="2" |2022 !NO |2 |0 |2 |8 |4 |6 |0 |2 |12 |'''6''' |7 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- !SEA |4 |0 |8 |16 |2 |7 |0 |3 |18 |'''6''' |9 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- ! rowspan="2" |2023 !NO |4 |1 |21 |70 |3.3 |'''19''' |'''2''' |4 |21 |5.3 |10 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- !ARI |3 |0 |5 |25 |5.0 |13 |0 |3 |16 |5.3 |11 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JoneTo04.htm Career] !25 !6 !93 !274 !2.9 !19 !2 !17 !96 !5.6 !19 !0 !1 !5 !5 !5 !0 !0 !0 |}
==Personal life== Jones Jr.' father Tony Jones Jr. Sr. was a fullback and linebacker for Illinois State, as well as the Cleveland Thunderbolts, Tampa Bay Storm, and Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/Tony_Jones-874/|title=Tony Jones Sr. Stats|website=ArenaFan.com}}</ref>
At Notre Dame, Jones Jr. majored in Film, Television and Theatre. During the 2019 college football season, Jones Jr. filmed his first film, a short film entitled "[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12546454/ Come Together]" written and directed with classmate Conor Fitzgerald,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://room203productions.com/come-together|title=Come Together|website=Room203Productions.com}}</ref> starring football teammate Ovie Oghoufo and fellow FTT student and stage actress Teagan Earley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://f0ddbd95-38a3-4ac6-9e03-f3cc511c895a.filesusr.com/ugd/1b6e1b_8c30f13a355240028cd5991698c04011.pdf|title=Teagan Earley Performance Resume|website=TeaganEarley.com}}</ref> The short film premiered at the 2020 Sundial Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sundialfilmfestival.com/about|title=Sundial Film Festival|website=sundialfilmfestival.com}}</ref> in Redding, California.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{footballstats|yahoo=33114}} *[https://und.com/roster/tony-jones-jr/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio] *[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tony-jones-jr-1.html Sports References Statistics] *{{IMDb name|11340839}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Tony Jr.}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:American football running backs Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:Dallas Renegades players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:IMG Academy alumni Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players Category:Players of American football from St. Petersburg, Florida Category:Seattle Seahawks players Category:Canadian football running backs Category:Players of Canadian football from St. Petersburg, Florida Category:BC Lions players