Vi Jones accepts invitation to NFL Draft showcase Hula Bowl
It appears that the final tally of NC State football players leaving with eligibility remaining to go to the NFL will be five after redshirt junior linebacker Vi Jones looks set to move ahead with a post-college career.
Jones has not made an official declaration, but the Hula Bowl announced that Jones has agreed to participate in its annual NFL Draft showcase. The game will be played Saturday, Jan. 15 in Orlando, Fla.
Jones transferred to NC State from Southern Cal after the 2018 season. He was a ballyhooed recruit in the 2017 class, considered an On3 Consensus four-star.
During his redshirt year for the Pack, Jones was named the team’s Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year and the Special Teams Scout Player of the Year.
In 2020, Jones played in all 12 games for the Wolfpack, starting four. He made 35 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks. He also forced a fumble, tallied two quarterback hurries and most impressively blocked three kicks.
His punt block vs. Duke was returned for a touchdown, and he swatted away Liberty’s attempt for a game-winning field goal in Raleigh to preserve a one-point Wolfpack win.
Jones has NFL genes. His father Robert was a starting linebacker who helped the Dallas Cowboys win three Super Bowls. Both his older brothers Isaiah and Cayleb both played in the pros. Jones’ uncle Jeff Blake was a quarterback in the NFL after starring at East Carolina.
Jones started the final five games of this past season and tied for a team-high six sacks while also finishing third on the team in tackles for loss with eight. His 12 quarterback hurries were the most on the defense, and he also blocked yet another kick. Jones’ 45 tackles were fourth most on the squad.
Jones had the option of using a Super Senior season like eight others have done for NC State football.
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