Name: Bryce Jones
Position: Defensive Back
Number: #17
Year: Junior
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 174 lbs.
Hometown: University Heights, OH
High School: Cleveland Heights
2013 Stats: As a sophomore, Jones started all 13 games for the Eagles. In all, he finished eighth on the team's total tackles list with 61 (44 solo) for a 4.69 tackle/game average. In addition, Jones recorded 5.0 tackles for loss (nine yards), two interceptions (23 yards) and three fumble recoveries. Recorded a career-high seven tackles against Florida State on September 28. Oh, and returned two punts for one yard and one kickoff for 20 yards. Bryce did a bit of everything in 2013.
2014 Projections: With Don Brown installing his new pressure schemes, the Eagles jumped from DFL in sacks to tied for 19th nationally over the span of a single season. Though the Eagles front four was able to generate more pressure on opposing QBs, the pass defense took a big step back -- from 77th nationally to 113th -- when the line failed to get to the QB. Brown has been able to turn around the D at both of his previous stops, so I'm not terribly worried about the much maligned defensive unit quite yet. But if the secondary is going to take a step forward in 2014, Jones will figure prominently in that turnaround at the starting RC position.
How'd He Get Here: Considered a dual-threat QB, Jones garnered two-stars coming out of high school. The 5-foot-11, 160 pound QB chose Boston College over claimed offers from Air Force, Army, UMass and Northern Illinois. Jones also drew interest from Cincinnati, Michigan State and North Carolina. Recruited by Ben Sirmans.
Twitter Feed: You can follow Bryce on Twitter @Bryce_Jones17. The Eagles corner is actually one of the more prolific Twitterers (Tweeters?) on the team.
Tweetable:
Number 1 song of the 1990s?
— Bryce Jones (@Bryce_Jones17) May 18, 2014
Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. Am I wrong?
Uniform History: The #17 jersey was most recently worn by Missouri City, Texas wide out Clyde Lee from 2009-10. Three different team captains -- QB Frank Harris (1968-70), QB Gary Marangi (1971-73) and CB Mike Reed (1991-94) all donned the #17. Arguably the most famous #17 in school history was defensive back Tony Thurman. A consensus All-America defensive back in 1984, Thurman led the nation with 12 INTs and played a key role as the Eagles finished the year with a 10-2 record and a #4 national ranking.
Linkage:
Boston College Football Recruiting: Bryce Jones Commits To Boston College (BC Interruption)
101 Days of BC Football: Bryce Jones, #17 (Soaring To Glory)
BC's Bryce Jones just rolls with it (ESPN Boston)
BC's Bryce Jones turns the corner (Boston Herald)
What Does Addazio Think Of Him: You may remember Jones as the guy who got burned over the middle by WR Michael Campanaro early in the Wake game. Fortunately for BC, Jones made up for it by recovering a fumble, recording a TFL and making an interception to spark the Eagles victory. Following BC's win, Jones and Addazio spoke to the aggressive mentality new DC Don Brown has brought to the unit.
"One thing we talk about is organized chaos," Jones said. "We're moving fast and we're all buying into it, so it all works out. We're a lot more aggressive, as you can see with these games."
"Our program, we have a philosophy," Addazio said. "We start with defense, we try to put our best players on defense, and that is the starting point of the peg of our program. And then we build it. ... That's our philosophy. It's by design."
Highlights: Jones played both CB and QB for Cleveland Heights HS in University Heights, Ohio. Here, he shows his overall athleticism slinging the ball, running the zone-read and even lining up as a wide receiver.
And here's Bryce following his big night vs. Wake Forest. (Miss you, Andre!)