Cash Jones seeing dreams come true with even more opportunities ahead
ATHENS, Ga. — Cash Jones knew what he was getting into when he decided to come to Georgia. A commit of New Mexico State at the time, the Texas standout chose to walk-on with the Bulldogs rather than take a scholarship offer with the Aggies. He thought it was the best decision for him to reach his full potential, and boy was he right.
“It’s definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Jones said. “I couldn’t be more blessed than to be in this situation.”
“Coach McGee, he did a good job throughout my recruitment process. He called me quite a bit. He said that the scholarship spots were full. I felt like I had the best opportunity to really grow more and into my full potential here.”
Jones certainly has had that opportunity in Athens. He saw action in one game his freshman season in 2021 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. However, when he came back in 2022, Jones was a big enough piece of the Bulldog puzzle to see action on special teams, and occasionally as a reserve running back. Jones totaled two carries for 44 yards on the season including a 36-yard touchdown versus Vanderbilt. He also proved himself as a pass catcher with two receptions for 11 yards.
“It was a dream come true,” Jones said of the score against the Commodores. “Growing up you always have dreams about scoring in a collegiate football game at a school like Georgia. I actually could not stop smiling after that. Until I went to sleep, I was smiling. I smiled for the entire day after that.”
This season has given Jones even more reason to smile. With the Bulldogs banged up in their running back room, he’s more than just a blowout running back this season. Instead, he’s a major contributor to the UGA offense.
Jones has received multiple carries in each of Georgia’s three games up to this point. He also has at least one reception in each outing. Totaling 14 touches for nearly 100 yards, Jones has made two trips to the end zone so far this season.
“I’ve always had dreams growing up like scoring a big touchdown in a close game like that,” Jones said about his 13-yard scoring scamper against South Carolina this past Saturday. “The linemen, I think they’re one of the best in the nation. They just blocked it perfectly, and I came untouched into the corner of the end zone.”
Jones will likely continue to get opportunities in the backfield. Not only has he earned it with the way he’s played, but also Georgia’s running back room is getting thin. Branson Robinson was lost for the season during fall camp. Both Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton have suffered MCL sprains since the start of preseason practice. Then there’s the youngsters, Andrew Paul and Roderick Robinson – both of whom also have some sort of a mention of injury when their name gets mentioned as Paul continues to get comfortable after tearing his ACL last year and Robinson battles a high ankle sprain suffered this past Saturday.
“I just try to control the controllables,” Jones said about the opportunity ahead of him. “I hate it for them, so I’m just trying to do the best for me and the team and just try to help us win whichever way possible.”
Top-ranked Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) takes on UAB (1-2, 0-0 American) this Saturday at Sanford Stadium. Kickoff time is set for under the lights at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2.
