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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Goldman

Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Indiana LB Cam Jones

An all-purpose player at Saint Benedict at Auburndale High School in Cordova, Tennessee, Jones was a four-year starter playing both linebacker and receiver. For two seasons running, he led his team in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss on the defensive side of the ball. During those same two seasons, he led the team in receptions, rushing yardage, all-purpose yardage, and touchdowns.

A three-star recruit, Jones had offers from over a half dozen schools out of high school. That group included the University of Missouri, Tennessee, Memphis and Mississippi State. He signed on with Indiana in April of 2017, before withdrawing his commitment nearly two months later. He’d finalize his decision in October of 2017, enrolling with the Hoosiers.

Stats

Bobby Goddin/IndyStar

Indiana (2018-2022): 47 games played, 202 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two interceptions, nine passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

Combine & pro day results

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6-1

Weight: 226

40-yard dash: 4.61s

Vertical: 33″

Broad: N/A

Bench: 17

3-Cone: 7.3s

Short Shuttle: 4.4s

Highlights & film

Rich Janzaruk/Herald Times

Career highlights via Big 10:

Fit with the Chiefs

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Jones is a bit undersized for what the NFL typically likes at the linebacker position, but you wouldn’t know it from watching him play. He has the tenacity of an old-school two-down linebacker and boasts some serious stopping power meeting running backs in the hole. He has the speed and athleticism to carry routes downfield in man coverage, but he also has a really nice feel for getting into throwing lanes and disrupting the passing game. That hybrid style of play is what the NFL is looking for even if you’re a few cheeseburgers shy of where they’d like you to be.

Leadership ability is obviously a factor with Jones. He was a team captain in high school and a three-time team captain at Indiana. It marked only the third time in school history that a player had been a team captain three times. His willingness to play offense and defense in high school also shows that he’s a team player.

In the NFL, Jones projects as a backup linebacker with the ability to play all three spots in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. He should be able to get on the field in Dave Toub’s special teams unit, which bodes well for his chances of making the 53-man roster or practice squad.

Jones did have a $135K guaranteed on contract with a $5,000 signing bonus. That’s the third-most in guaranteed money out of this undrafted free agent class. It could mean nothing, but it’s always worth monitoring as we approach training camp.

2023 UDFA Spotlight Series

Kyle Rivas/Getty Images
Position Player School Estimated release date
S Isaiah Norman Marshall 5/31
RB Deneric Prince Tulsa 6/2
CB Ekow Boye-Doe Kansas State 6/5
OT Jason ‘Chu’ Godrick International 6/7
LB Isaiah Moore NC State 6/12
OG Jerome Carvin Tennessee 6/19
CB Reese Taylor Purdue 6/21
WR Nikko Remigio Fresno State 6/23
S Anthony Cook Texas 6/26
CB Kahlef Hailassie Western Kentucky 6/28
C Anderson Hardy Appalachian State 6/30
EDGE Truman Jones Harvard 7/4
LB Cam Jones Indiana 7/6

 

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