Eupora's Jones taken by Jets in sixth round
The local area had one football player taken in the National Football League Draft on Saturday when Eupora native Derrick Jones of the Ole Miss Rebels was chosen in the sixth round and the 204th pick by the New York Jets.
Jones saw action as a receiver, defensive back and special teamer throughout his fouryear career with the Rebels, landing on the defensive side for most of his senior year.
He was second on the team with five passes defended and two interceptions this past season, returning one for a touchdown against Georgia. He recorded career totals of 54 tackles, two interceptions, 11 catches, 175 receiving yards and two touchdown catches.
During his time with the Eagles, Jones was chosen a three-star prospect by all the major recruiting services and was rated the 61stbest wide receiver in the country by Rivals.com and No. 89 by Scout. com. He was listed as the ninth-best recruit in Mississippi by Scout. com and ESPN.com and among the top 40 recruits in the state by The Clarion-Ledger. Jones caught a 41-yard touchdown pass in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and was selected a first team All-State receiver by The Clarion-Ledger and the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
Jones caught 44 passes for 975 yards and 15 touchdowns to help Eupora reach the Class 2A state title game as a senior. He also had 39 tackles and six interceptions on defense.