DeAndre Square signs UDFA deal with Rams; Jacquez Jones receives Falcons invite
While they didn’t hear their names called during the draft, linebackers DeAndre Square and Jacquez Jones have still earned a chance to make it in the NFL.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday, it didn’t take long for the pair of former Kentucky Wildcats to hear from one of the league’s 32 franchises. Ryan Talbot of Syrcause.com reports that Square was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent while Jones received a rookie minicamp invite from the Atlanta Falcons, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC Houston.
Square spent five seasons as a Wildcat and four years as a full-time starter while Jones finished his final two college seasons in Lexington after starting his career with Ole Miss.
DeAndre Square was a three-time team captain at Kentucky, just the second in school history. He also wore three different numbers during his UK tenure: 43, 17, and 5. An SEC All-Freshman selection in 2018, Square developed into a starting inside linebacker after only two seasons. His best season came in 2021 as a true senior, tallying a career-high 81 tackles and securing the game-winning interception against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. An injury during his final season forced him to miss five games, including the Music City Bowl loss to Iowa.
The 6-foot-1 linebacker from Detroit’s Cass Tech High School returned for a Super Senior season in 2022. Stuck on 299 career tackles for much of the second half of the season, he entered the 300-tackle club against Louisville. He is the 20th Wildcat to join the illustrious club and just the second player coached by Mark Stoops, joining defensive back Mike Edwards.
As for Jacquez Jones, the 6-foot linebacker out of Tuscaloosa’s Hillcrest High School finished his college career with 52 games played and 38 starts. He also entered the 300-tackle this past season, finishing his playing career with 305 tackles (182 at Ole Miss and 123 at UK) in addition to 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Jones started in all 19 games he appeared in as a Wildcat.
Jones, who graduated in Dec. 2022, was a regular playmaker at Ole Miss for three seasons before transferring to Kentucky for his final two. He was one of seven team captains this past season and was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.
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