Cyrus Jones
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Cyrus Jones
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Cyrus with the Patriots 2016
| current_team =
| number = 24, 41, 27
| position = Cornerback
Return specialist
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|29}}
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 195
| high_school = Gilman School
(Baltimore, Maryland)
| college = Alabama (2012–2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 60
| pastteams =
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2019}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (LI)
- CFP national champion (2016)
- BCS national champion (2013)
- 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic Defensive MVP
- Second-team All-SEC (2014)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 19
| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue2 = 2
| statlabel3 = Total return yards
| statvalue3 = 655
| statlabel4 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue4 = 1
| pfr = JoneCy00
}}
Cyrus Diego Jones Jr. (born November 29, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.
Early life
Jones was born in Baltimore and attended elementary school at the Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School in northeast Baltimore. He played football and baseball in the Northwood neighborhood, also in northeast Baltimore.{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2017 |title=Baltimore native Cyrus Jones visits his childhood school |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/nfl/92600155-132.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406132542/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/nfl/92600155-132.html |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |access-date=December 21, 2018 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}
Jones attended Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland. He played cornerback, wide receiver, and running back for the Greyhounds. As a senior, he had 2,365 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns on offense and five interceptions on defense. Jones committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Katherine |date=January 5, 2012 |title=Gilman football star Cyrus Jones Jr. commits to Alabama |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/01/05/gilman-football-star-cyrus-jones-jr-commits-to-alabama/ |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=May 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507044128/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-01-05/sports/bal-cyrus-jones-commits-to-alabama-20120105_1_cyrus-jones-quarterback-and-returner-alabama |url-status=live }}
College career
Jones played at Alabama from 2012 to 2015.{{Cite web |title=Cyrus Jones College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cyrus-jones-1.html |access-date=December 21, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723074334/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cyrus-jones-1.html |url-status=live }} Jones played wide receiver as a freshman in 2012, catching four passes for 51 yards. Prior to his sophomore year in 2013, he moved to cornerback. He played in 11 games with five starts that season and had 25 tackles, two interceptions and one sack. As a junior in 2014, he played in all 14 games and had 46 tackles and three interceptions.{{Cite web |last=Zenitz |first=Matt |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Alabama DB Cyrus Jones feels overlooked nationally, ready to 'show people what I'm all about' |url=http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2015/08/alabama_db_cyrus_jones_feels_o.html |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=AL.com |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153436/https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2015/08/alabama_db_cyrus_jones_feels_o.html |url-status=live }} As a senior, he played in all 15 games and had 37 tackles and two interceptions.{{Cite web |last=Talty |first=John |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Alabama CB Cyrus Jones ready and eager to prove doubters wrong |url=http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/01/cyrus_jones_ready_and_eager_to.html |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=AL.com |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153302/https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/01/cyrus_jones_ready_and_eager_to.html |url-status=live }} He also was Alabama's punt returner, returning 42 punts for 530 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Zrebiec |first=Jeff |date=April 1, 2016 |title=Former Gilman standout Cyrus Jones working out with Ravens |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-cyrus-jones-working-out-for-ravens-20160401-story.html |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624112314/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-cyrus-jones-working-out-for-ravens-20160401-story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Casagrande |first=Michael |date=January 9, 2016 |title=Cyrus Jones lists one simple reason for Alabama's recent punt return success |url=http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/01/cyrus_jones_lists_one_simple_r.html |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=AL.com |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153414/https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/01/cyrus_jones_lists_one_simple_r.html |url-status=live }} Jones was the Defensive MVP of the 2015 Cotton Bowl after intercepting a redzone pass from Connor Cook with 18 seconds left in the second half to halt Michigan State's momentum and preserve Alabama's eventual 38–0 shutout of the Spartans. In addition, he returned a punt for a touchdown in the victory.{{Cite web |last=Zenitz |first=Matt |date=January 2016 |title=Jake Coker, Cyrus Jones named Cotton Bowl Offensive, Defensive MVPs following Alabama win |url=http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/01/jake_coker_cyrus_jones_named_c.html |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=AL.com |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153403/https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/01/jake_coker_cyrus_jones_named_c.html |url-status=live }}
=Statistics=
==Defensive statistics==
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| School ! rowspan="2"| Conf ! rowspan="2"| Class ! rowspan="2"| Pos ! rowspan="2"| G ! colspan="5" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Tackles ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Interceptions ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Fumbles |
| Solo
| Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | TD | PD |FR |Yds | TD | FF |
| 2012
| Alabama | SEC | FR | WR | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013
| Alabama | SEC | SO | UT | 9 | 18 | 7 | 25 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014
| Alabama | SEC | JR | DB | 14 | 36 | 8 | 44 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| 2015
| Alabama | SEC | SR | DB | 15 | 29 | 8 | 37 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cyrus-jones-1.html Career]
| Alabama | colspan="4" | | 83 | 23 | 106 | 7.5 | 1.0 | 7 | 28 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 4 |
==Return statistics==
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| School ! rowspan="2"| Conf ! rowspan="2"| Class ! rowspan="2"| Pos ! rowspan="2"| G ! colspan="3" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Kick Returns ! colspan="3" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Punt Returns |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Ret
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD | style="font-weight:bold;" | Ret | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD |
| 2012
| Alabama | SEC | FR | WR | 11 | 10 | 250 | 0 | 8 | 61 | 0 |
| 2013
| Alabama | SEC | SO | UT | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014
| Alabama | SEC | JR | DB | 14 | 4 | 77 | 0 | 4 | 82 | 0 |
| 2015
| Alabama | SEC | SR | DB | 15 | 42 | 530 | 4 | 1 | 24 | 0 |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cyrus-jones-1.html Career]
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Alabama | colspan="4" style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 56 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 857 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 4 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 13 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 167 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 0 |
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 9+7/8
| weight = 197
| dash = 4.49
| ten split = 1.55
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.21
| cone drill = 6.71
| vertical = 33
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| bench = 10
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31+3/8
| hand span = 9+1/8
| note = All values from NFL Scouting Combine.{{Cite web |title=Combine Player Profile – Cyrus Jones |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/cyrus-jones?id=2555380 |access-date=February 6, 2017 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112955/http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/cyrus-jones?id=2555380 |url-status=live }}.{{Cite web |title=Cyrus Jones Draft Profile |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=123757&draftyear=2016&genpos=CB |access-date=February 6, 2017 |website=NFLDraftScout.com |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113716/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=123757&draftyear=2016&genpos=CB |url-status=live }}.
}}
=New England Patriots (first stint)=
Jones was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round (60th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=December 21, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711080840/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |url-status=live }} Jones finished his rookie regular season with seven tackles, no pass deflections, and no interceptions. Jones was an occasional return specialist; his returns gained 180 yards, but he also fumbled five times.{{Cite web |title=Cyrus Jones 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JoneCy00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515093255/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JoneCy00/gamelog/2016/ |url-status=live }} He played in 10 games during the regular season. On February 5, 2017, Jones's Patriots appeared in Super Bowl LI. He was inactive for the game as the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – February 5th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm |access-date=September 2, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807022152/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2017 |title=Inactives: Super Bowl LI |url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/02/05/inactives-super-bowl-li |access-date=September 2, 2017 |website=New England Patriots |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909110209/http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/02/05/inactives-super-bowl-li |url-status=live }}
Prior to the 2017 season, Jones switched to jersey number 41 and gave 24 to newcomer Stephon Gilmore. In the Patriots' final preseason game of 2017, Jones suffered a torn ACL and partially torn meniscus and was ruled out for the season.{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Rich |date=September 1, 2017 |title=Patriots CB Cyrus Jones knee injury confirmed; out for the season |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2017/9/1/16240684/patriots-cb-cyrus-jones-knee-injury-confirmed-out-for-the-season |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=PatsPulpit.com |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608061423/https://www.patspulpit.com/2017/9/1/16240684/patriots-cb-cyrus-jones-knee-injury-confirmed-out-for-the-season |url-status=live }} He was officially placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2017.{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2017 |title=Patriots reach 53-man limit |url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/09/02/patriots-reach-53-man-limit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128033226/http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/09/02/patriots-reach-53-man-limit |archive-date=November 28, 2017 |website=Patriots.com}}
On September 1, 2018, Jones was waived by the Patriots.{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Patriots Announce Roster Cutdown |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-cutdown-to-53-man-roster |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Patriots.com |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128003925/https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-cutdown-to-53-man-roster |url-status=live }}
= Baltimore Ravens (first stint)=
On September 3, 2018, Jones was signed to the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=September 3, 2018 |title=Ravens Officially Add Cyrus Jones, Complete Practice Squad |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-officially-add-cyrus-jones-complete-practice-squad |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522204914/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-officially-add-cyrus-jones-complete-practice-squad |url-status=live }}
= New England Patriots (second stint) =
On September 19, 2018, the Patriots re-signed Jones off Baltimore's practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=September 19, 2018 |title=Seeking punt returner, Patriots sign CB Cyrus Jones |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24731060/cyrus-jones-signs-new-england-patriots |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211537/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24731060/cyrus-jones-signs-new-england-patriots |url-status=live }} He was waived on October 6, 2018.{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2018 |title=Patriots release DB Cyrus Jones |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-db-cyrus-jones |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Patriots.com |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129052152/https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-db-cyrus-jones |url-status=live }}
=Baltimore Ravens (second stint)=
On October 8, 2018, Jones was claimed off waivers by the Ravens.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=October 8, 2018 |title=Ravens Bring CB/RS Cyrus Jones Home ... Again |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-bring-cb-rs-cyrus-jones-home-again |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602121004/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-bring-cb-rs-cyrus-jones-home-again |url-status=live }} In Week 12, Jones returned a punt for a 70-yard touchdown in a 34–17 win over the Oakland Raiders, earning him American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2018 |title=Philip Rivers, Amari Cooper among Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/philip-rivers-amari-cooper-among-players-of-the-week-0ap3000000993457 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222062052/https://www.nfl.com/news/philip-rivers-amari-cooper-among-players-of-the-week-0ap3000000993457 |url-status=live }} He was released on November 12, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Hensley |first=Jamison |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Ravens add veteran DT Domata Peko in series of moves |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28066783/ravens-add-veteran-dt-domata-peko-series-moves |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823140037/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28066783/ravens-add-veteran-dt-domata-peko-series-moves |url-status=live }}
=Denver Broncos=
On November 13, 2019, Jones was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Ben |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Broncos claim CB Cyrus Jones off waivers, waive CB Coty Sensabaugh |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-claim-cb-cyrus-jones-off-waivers-waive-cb-coty-sensabaugh |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608120414/https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-claim-cb-cyrus-jones-off-waivers-waive-cb-coty-sensabaugh |url-status=live }} He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on November 26, 2019.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Broncos claim DB Shakial Taylor off waivers from Colts |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-claim-db-shakial-taylor-off-waivers-from-colts |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605224120/https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-claim-db-shakial-taylor-off-waivers-from-colts |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Jones earned the nickname "Clamp Clampington", which was given for his shutdown corner abilities, while at Alabama.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Oliver |date=May 9, 2016 |title=Patriots rookie Cyrus Jones plans to clamp down on social media |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/article/patriots-rookie-cyrus-jones-plans-to-clamp-down-on-social-media-45251571/ |access-date=December 21, 2018 |website=247sports.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224204213/https://247sports.com/embed/video/?iv=0&id=677156419934&dvp=247sports&host=247sports.com&siteKey=380&siteName=newengland_patriots&name=247Sports%20Video%20Player |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{footballstats|pfr=J/JoneCy00|yahoo=29294|espn=2979849|nfl=cyrus-jones}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150416022836/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/cyrus_jones_811289.html Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
{{2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{Patriots2016DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl LI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Cyrus}}
Category:Players of American football from Baltimore
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:American football return specialists
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:New England Patriots players