When Utah State tried using a trick play this past season, several players were fooled. Not Tyreque Jones.
Boise State was leading 28-10 late in the fourth quarter of a Mountain West matchup. On fourth and 1, Utah State threw the ball out to a wide receiver on the perimeter. Instead of running for the first down, the receiver looked to pass.
Jones, a Boise State defensive back, was directing his teammates before the snap. And he wasn’t caught off guard after the play began. In fact, he darted toward the opposite sideline a moment after the snap.
Jones knew where to go. He found an open Utah State player and tracked him down right as the ball arrived. He broke the pass up, and Boise State regained possession.
Jones has a knack for frustrating opposing offenses.
Tyreque Jones Stats And Highlights
Jones was an All-Mountain West honorable mention the past two seasons. And that’s after moving to nickelback last year.
Jones finished the 2022 season with 34 tackles, 19 solo, with 4.5 tackles for loss, four passes defended, and an interception. The year before, he had 52 tackles, 40 solo, with three TFLs, eight passes defended, two picks, and a forced fumble.
For his career, Jones intercepted four passes and defended 18. He totaled 157 tackles, 110 solo, with 12 TFLs, a sack, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Jones allowed 88 catches on 149 targets in five seasons, which is a catch rate of 59%, according to Pro Football Focus.
Tyreque Jones Draft Projection
Jones might go in the fifth round of the NFL Draft because of his versatility. He’s being projected to go as high as the fourth round and as late as the seventh.
Tyreque Jones Draft Profile
Jones proved he’s as fast as some of the top defensive backs in this draft class at the NFL Combine.
Jones ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, which was tied for eighth among safeties, with a 1.61-second 10-yard split. He recorded a vertical jump of 32 inches and a broad jump of 9 feet, 11 inches, while running the 20-yard shuttle in 4.48 seconds.
Jones did get beat a few times one on one in college. But as he displayed against Utah State, he has fantastic closing speed when the ball is in the air.
Jones split his time lining up at free safety, in the box, and in the slot. And no matter where he starts a play, he can cover quite a bit of space in the secondary.
As shown by his tackle numbers, Jones is physical and willing to contribute to defending the run. He’s also smart, as he can anticipate plays ahead of time and make matters difficult for offenses.
That’s why, no matter what position Jones plays, he could be a valuable member of an NFL secondary.
