Fansided

National Signing Day rewind: How No. 1 overall recruits fared through the years

By Patrick Schmidt

COLUMBIA, SC - AUGUST 29: Jadeveon Clowney #7 of the South Carolina during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on August 29, 2013 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - AUGUST 29: Jadeveon Clowney #7 of the South Carolina during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on August 29, 2013 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – NOVEMBER 15: Running back Kevin Jones #25 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball during the game against the Temple Owls on November 15, 2003 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Virginia Tech defeated Temple 24-23 in overtime. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – NOVEMBER 15: Running back Kevin Jones #25 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball during the game against the Temple Owls on November 15, 2003 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Virginia Tech defeated Temple 24-23 in overtime. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Kevin Jones

  • Year: 2001
  • High School: Cardinal O’Hara (Springfield, PA)
  • Position: RB
  • College: Virginia Tech

Kevin Jones was a four-year starter in high school and doubled as a track star. He went to Virginia Tech as the program’s highest-rated recruit of all-time and didn’t disappoint, breaking the program’s record for rushing yards by a freshman with 957 yards. Jones was pressed into early action after the injury to starting tailback Lee Suggs, but the two split time the following year when Jones ran for 877 yards and nine touchdowns.

As a junior, Jones ran for 1,647 yards and 21 touchdowns to establish himself as one of the top backs in the nation. Jones was named a consensus All-American for his efforts and was the No. 30 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.

Jones played well as a rookie, joining Billy Sims and Barry Sanders as the only rookies in franchise history to top the 1,000-yard mark. Unfortunately, Jones suffered an injury toward the end of his rookie season that ended his rookie campaign. The next year, Jones suffered another season-ending injury, shortly after winning the starting role.

The following year, Jones was released by the Lions and signed by the Chicago Bears to serve as the backup to Matt Forte. The injury bug followed him from Detroit to Chicago and Jones suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the preseason and was released in the offseason and his NFL career was over.

He tried to make a comeback in the United Football League but suffered yet another injury after two games and 16 carries with the Hartford Colonials.

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