BOONE, N.C. — A former Richmond Raider football player made national headlines this week after his performance in the secondary for Appalachian State University.
Steven Jones Jr., a 2017 graduate of Richmond Senior High School, broke two App State program records, and tied another two team marks, in the Mountaineers’ 48-14 win over Arkansas State this past Saturday.
On the business trip to Jonesboro, Jones intercepted three pass attempts and returned two of them for touchdowns. Those two feats tied App State’s single-game record for the most interceptions (3) and interceptions returned for a score (2).
Jones’ name was written in the record book next to Wayne Byrd (1966), David Neeld (1967) and Joel Carter (1983), who all had two interception returns in a game.
The Rockingham native also joined a list of four former players to each snag three picks in a game, most recently done by Clifton Duck and Tae Hayes, who both did it against New Mexico State in 2017.
Against Arkansas State, Jones returned a 47-yard interception for a score with 7:22 remaining in the first quarter, and added a 34-yard pick-six with 4:01 left in regulation. In between, he picked off a pass at the start of the fourth quarter near the goal line.
“It’s been great,” Jones said. “I’m just trying to stay focused, and make people and my family proud. I go out every week and try to make plays. Getting the interceptions and scoring touchdowns is showing all of my hard work is paying off.
“I’ve done a lot of film study,” he added of his success. “I focus on my man, and when plays come through, I execute. I’m aware (on the field) and focused on doing my job. If I do that, the plays are going to come.”
Following his performance against the Red Wolves, Jones received several national accolades. He was named the College Sports Madness’ and Walter Camp Football Foundation’s “National Defensive Player of the Week” on Sunday.
Tuesday brought the recognition as the Nagurski Trophy “National Defensive Player of the Week” by the Football Writers Association of America, and Jones was also awarded the Sun Belt Conference’s “Defensive Player of the Week” on Monday.
Lastly, he was awarded a “Helmet Sticker” by ESPN college football studio host Matt Barrie.
“It’s been great and very exciting,” Jones said of the recognition. “But I try not to focus on it. I just focus on my job here (at App State).
“This keeps me more focused and zeroed in. I will continue to work on my technique every week, making plays and see how my senior season ends.”
In his first year as a full-time starter at cornerback, Jones’ recent run of success started with a 14-yard pick-six against the University of Louisiana Monroe on Oct. 30.
That interception return for a touchdown, coupled with the two against Arkansas State, made Jones the App State all-time record holder with the most pick-sixes in a season (3). He surpassed seven players, including current teammate Shaun Jolly, who had two in 2019.
According to App State, Jones’ effort of three pick-sixes in two games is the first time that’s happened in FBS play since 1987. The Mountaineers also report he’s the all-team leader for the most interception returns in his career with four.
His seven career pickoffs have come in a 13-game span dating back to last season. Jones’ other pick-six, a 34-yard return, came against Troy during the 2020 season.
Through nine games this season, Jones has five total interceptions, which has him tied atop the nation’s leaderboard with Jaylan Foster of the University of South Carolina.
During his senior season at Richmond in 2016, Jones had three interceptions to lead the Raiders (122 return yards) and added 35 total tackles. Two of those interceptions came against Purnell Swett and were both returned for touchdowns.
An all-purpose player, Jones also caught 11 passes for 382 yards (34.7 yards per catch) and scored five touchdowns.
In the return game, Jones totaled 134 punt return yards and 95 kickoff return yards, and had one punt return for a score against Rocky River. He was named an All-Conference selection and was chosen to represent North Carolina in the Shrine Bowl.
“It means a lot to have my name be in the record books and it motivates me to be better,” Jones closed. “A big shout out to my hometown to everyone who is watching. I keep putting on for Richmond County.
“(At Richmond) I learned a lot of discipline, how to play my role and stay down. And now that hard work is paying off.”
