Grassfield alum Jones declares for draft
Grassfield High graduate Patrick Jones II, a defensive end who is one of college football’s top pass-rushers, announced this weekend that he would skip a possible bowl game with the Pittsburgh Panthers and prepare for the NFL draft on April 29.
Jones released a statement on his Twitter timeline (@P_jones9) thanking God, his parents and two sisters, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi and his assistants, his coaches and trainers since high school, and his teammates, among others.
“Since I was a kid I’ve dreamed of playing in the NFL and God has blessed me with the opportunity to do that. So, after many hours of prayer and conversations with my parents and coaches, I’ve decided to forgo the bowl game and declare for the 2021 NFL draft,” Jones’ statement reads. “Panther Nation you will forever be in my heart and never be forgotten. 91...out.”
Jones ranked second nationally with nine sacks entering the weekend and has made 13 tackles for losses. He had 8.5 sacks and 12 TFLs last season.
According to cardiachill.com, CBS Sports ranks Jones as the No. 26 overall college prospect and the No. 2 edge rusher in the draft. JESPN ranks Jones lower, as the No. 5 prospect at his position.
Saturday’s games:
No. 24 Buffalo 56, Akron 7
AMHERST, N.Y. — On a historic day for teammate Jaret Patterson, Norview High graduate Kevin Marks Jr. led the Bulls with a career-high 175 yards and two touchdowns. Marks went over 100 yards and scored twice in the first half as Buffalo (5-0) built a 35-0 lead against Akron (1-5).
Patterson ran for 105 yards and matched a major-college record by reaching 1,000 yards for the season in five games as
Buffalo won a tune-up for the Mid-American Conference championship game.
Patterson scored two touchdowns before halftime, bringing his season totals to 1,025 yards and 18 rushing TDs for the Bulls. He is the 12th player in FBS history to surpass 1,000 yards in as many games.
Penn State 39, Mich. State 24
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. —
Sean Clifford completed 17 of 27 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns to lead Penn State over Michigan State.
Clifford added 48 yards and another touchdown on the ground while Parker Washington hauled in a pair of touchdown passes for the Nittany Lions (3-5), who trailed 21-10 at halftime.
Backup quarterback Will Levis added a rushing touchdown and receiver Jahan Dotson returned a punt 81 yards for a score for the Nittany Lions, who won their third straight.
Payton Thorne made his first start at quarterback and completed 22 of 39 passes for 325 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for the Spartans (2-6).
Louisville 45, Wake Forest 21
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Malik Cunningham threw for 195 yards and accounted for three scores for the Cardinals (4-7, 3-7 ACC), who overcame a sluggish start to rally for a victory in their regular-season finale. After gaining just 7 yards in the first quarter, they finished with 453. Louisville gained 254 of those on the ground.
Cunningham completed 16 of 22 passes, threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. He went without an interception for the first time in five games.
The Demon Deacons (4-4, 3-4) amassed 351 yards, but they only had the ball for 23:04 to Louisville’s 36:56.