Buckeyes OL Matthew Jones reportedly signing with Miami Dolphins as undrafted free agent
COLUMBUS — Ohio State relied on offensive lineman Matthew Jones to play in games across five seasons and start games across four seasons.
Now after six years in the Buckeyes program, Jones is off to the NFL. He is signing a free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins after going undrafted, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Now the work begins as Jones attempts to crack an NFL roster to begin his pro football career.
The former highly-ranked four-star prospect had plenty of success during his time with the Buckeyes, winning three Big Ten titles, a Sugar Bowl in which he played an important role, a Rose Bowl in which he started and plenty more moments.
He did suffer through some injuries during his time at Ohio State, dampening his prospects of getting drafted. Although he wasn’t picked in the seven rounds of the draft this weekend, he has landed a rookie deal with the Miami Dolphins.
Ohio State had four former Buckeyes players selected in the NFL Draft. Those players are wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was selected No. 4 overall by the Arizona Cardinals; defensive tackle Mike Hall, who was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 54 overall pick; tight end Cade Stover, who was selected No. 123 overall by the Houston Texans; and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, who was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 154th pick.
Recruiting background from Matthew Jones
From Lettermen Row’s Andy Backstrom:
Matthew Jones was a two-way lineman for Erasmus Hall, which he helped reached the PSAL title game as a senior. He left Brooklyn as a four-star prospect — who was, notably, selected for the Under Armour All-America game — and joined the Buckeyes ahead of the 2018 season.
Jones also held scholarship offers from Georgia, Penn State, Clemson, Alabama, LSU, Miami, Florida, Nebraska, South Carolina, Michigan, Tennessee, Maryland, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Rutgers, Boston College, UConn and UMass. Jones committed to Ohio State before his senior season. The Buckeyes were the frontrunner in his recruitment and got the job done.
