Malachi Jones (gridiron football)

Last updated

Malachi Jones
Personal information
Born: (1994-03-22) March 22, 1994 (age 30)
Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: Central Gwinnett
(Lawrenceville, Georgia)
College: Appalachian State
Position: Wide receiver
Undrafted: 2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career Arena statistics
Receptions:173
Receiving yards:2,596
Receiving touchdowns:54
Rushing touchdowns:6
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Malachi Fitzgerald Jones (born March 22, 1994) is an American gridiron football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Appalachian State.

Contents

Early life

Jones attended Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com & a three-star by Scout.com. Led Gwinnett County with 82 receptions, 1,059 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns & 12.9 yards per catch in 2011. Received second-team all-state and first-team all-county recognition in 2011. Participated in the 2010 RisingSeniors.com Georgia Junior Bowl. Broke school and county records for receptions (15) & receiving yards (276) in a game & receptions in a season (82). Coached by Todd Wofford.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40‡Commit date
Malachi Jones
WR 		Lawrenceville, Georgia Central Gwinnett High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)182 lb (83 kg)4.5Jan 22, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 2 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 90 (WR)   Rivals: -- (WR), -- (GA)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Appalachian State Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  • "2012 Appalachian State Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  • "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 28, 2018.

Jones committed to Appalachian State University on January 22, 2012. [1] Jones chose Appalachian State over football scholarships from Chattanooga, Georgia Southern, Louisiana–Monroe & Presbyterian.

College career

Jones played four seasons for the Appalachian State Mountaineers of Appalachian State University.

Jones caught 124 passes for 1,711 yards and eight touchdowns in four seasons at Appalachian State. Appeared in all 49 games during his Mountaineer career and made 35 starts at wide receiver.

Earned Freshman All-America recognition from College Sports Journal & named to Southern Conference’s All-Freshman team in 2012.

College statistics

Source: [2]

NCAA Collegiate Career statistics
Appalachian State Mountaineers
SeasonReceiving
RecYardsAvgYds/GTD
20123237011.630.82
2013312939.524.40
20143658516.248.83
20152546318.535.63
NCAA Career Totals1241,71113.834.98

Professional career

Jones was rated the 83rd best wide receiver in the 2016 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com. [3]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		211 lb
(96 kg)		4.53 s1.51 s2.57 s4.30 s6.90 s37+1⁄2 in
(0.95 m)		10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		14 reps
All values from Pro Day [3]

Atlanta Falcons

Jones signed a free agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) following the 2016 NFL Draft, but was waived after rookie mini camp.

High Country Grizzlies

Jones signed with the High Country Grizzlies of the National Arena League (NAL). Jones caught 66 passes for 685 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games, and was awarded the 2017 National Arena League Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Atlanta Havoc

For 2018, Jones signed with the Atlanta Havoc (now the Carolina Havoc) of the newly formed American Arena League, [4] but departed after one game to join the AFL. [5]

Albany Empire

Jones was assigned to the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League (AFL) for 2018. In 12 regular season games, Jones had 77 receptions for 1,156 yards and 29 touchdowns along with 5 rushing touchdowns. Jones scored at least once in every game played, and passed the 100 yards receiving mark in a game on four occasions during the regular season. He won the 2018 Arena Football League Rookie of the Year Award and Wide Receiver of the Year, becoming the only rookie in league history to win both awards in the same season. Jones was also recognized with First-team All Arena honors for 2018. For the postseason, Albany played in two playoff games, where Jones surpassed the century mark in each of these, and caught 7 more touchdowns. Jones left his day job in marketing to play in the AFL. [6]

Chicago Bears

On July 26, 2018, Jones signed with the Chicago Bears. He was waived on September 1, 2018. [7]

Atlanta Legends

In October 2018, Jones signed with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). [8]

Jones finished the 2019 season with 22 receptions for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns through 8 games. This was good enough to be ranked 10th in AAF's receiving yards and tied for 6th in touchdown catches. Jones also had two carries for 16 yards.

Second stint with Empire

After the AAF suspended football operations, Jones re-signed with the Albany Empire of the AFL on April 10, 2019. For the first game of the year, Jones contributed to the win with 11 catches for 94 yards and a score. [9] After recording back to back games with over 100 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, Jones was suspended so that he could work out with the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. [10] Jones did not miss a game, having been reinstated in time for a 10 catch, 179 yard and 3 touchdown performance in week 4 to keep Albany undefeated. It was not until Jones' streak of 5 games with 100 yards receiving was broken that the Empire had their first loss of the season. In 12 regular season games, Jones had 9 games with at least 100 yards receiving, and continued his streak of scoring at least once in every game of the regular season. He finished with 1,440 yards and 25 touchdown catches; Jones was the only AFL receiver with at least 1,000 yards in 2019, a year which culminated in Jones and the Empire winning ArenaBowl XXXII.

Montreal Alouettes

In October 2019, Jones was selected in the 10th round (74th overall) by the Seattle Dragons in the Skills Portion of the 2020 XFL Draft. [11]

Jones did not sign with the XFL, and instead signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on December 4, 2019. [12] He was placed on the retired list by the team on June 22, 2021, [13] after receiving a job offer from Lululemon. [14]

Third stint with Empire

Jones signed with the relaunched Albany Empire of the National Arena League on June 17, 2021. [15]

Carolina Cobras

On July 14, 2022, Jones signed with the Carolina Cobras of the National Arena League (NAL). [16]

Career statistics

National Arena League

YearTeam
RecYdsTD
2017 High Country 6668516
Career6668516

Arena Football League

YearTeamGPReceivingRushing
RecYdsAvgTDRushYdsAvgTD
2018 Albany 12771,15615.02921401.95
2019 Albany 12961,44015.0256172.81
Total241732,59615.05427572.16

Playoffs

YearTeamGPReceivingRushing
RecYdsAvgTDRushYdsAvgTD
2018 Albany 21728316.67263.00
2019 Albany 2813617.012-6-3.00
Total42541916.884000

Alliance of American Football

YearTeamGPReceivingRushing
RecYdsAvgTDRushYdsAvgTD
2019 ATL 82231214.222168.00
Total82231214.222168.00

Personal life

His father, Andre Jones, was a starting defensive end on the 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. He was drafted in the 7th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also played for the Detroit Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). [17]

His older brother, T. J. Jones, a former Notre Dame football player, was drafted by the Detroit Lions during the 2014 NFL draft. His other younger brother, Jahmai Jones, who was drafted by the Angels as the 70th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2015 MLB Draft, [18] played for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Jones’s godfather, Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, finished second in voting for the 1990 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame and recorded over 5,000 receiving yards in nine NFL seasons.

Related Research Articles

Christopher Jackson is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for The University of Texas. During the 2022 season, he was the wide receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears.

Marcus DeLando Nash is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Denver Broncos 30th overall in the 1998 NFL draft. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Dallas Leon Baker is a former American football wide receiver. Baker played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL), the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the Jacksonville Sharks and San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League (AFL). As a member of the Steelers, he won Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals. He is currently the wide receivers coach at Baylor University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio Jones</span> American football player (born 1989)

Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. He is regarded as one of the greatest receivers of the 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Carr (gridiron football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1985)

Greg Carr is a former professional arena football wide receiver. After playing college football at Florida State, Carr was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Carr has also been a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Calgary Stampeders, Orlando Predators, and Washington Valor. In June of 2020, Carr was hired as the Head Football Coach at North Marion High School in Citra, FL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Rodgers (gridiron football)</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1988)

James Rodgers Jr. is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, earning second-team All-American honors in 2009. Rodgers signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, earning second-team All-American honors in 2009. He has also played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). As a coach, he served as the outside linebackers coach for the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mardy Gilyard</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

Marshawn "Mardy" Gilyard is an American former professional football wide receiver and current offensive assistant for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Jones</span> Canadian-born American football player (born 1992)

Tai-ler "T. J." Fitzgerald Jones is a former American-Canadian professional American football wide receiver. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Stafford</span> American football player (born 1990)

Kenny Stafford is a gridiron football wide receiver who is a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In the United States, he has been a member of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Pittsburgh Power (AFL) and Miami Dolphins (NFL). In the CFL, Stafford has been a member of the Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He is the nephew of former American football wide receiver and 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Hills (American football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Joseph Hills is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina from 2007 to 2008 before transferring to Tennessee State.

Carl Wayne Parker is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), World League of American Football (WLAF) and Arena Football League (AFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Sacramento Surge, Sacramento Gold Miners and the Albany Firebirds. Parker now coaches at Appling County High School in Baxley, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Ridley</span> American football player (born 1994)

Calvin Orin Ridley is an American football wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he was a part of the national championship-winning teams in 2015 and 2017. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020.

Rashaun Simonise is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He has been a member of the Chicago Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Okanagan Sun, Baltimore Brigade, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, BC Lions, Jousters, Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Lasley</span> American football player (born 1996)

Jordan Lasley is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Wieneke</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Jake Wieneke is a professional gridiron football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota State and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He was cut by the Vikings prior to the 2018 season, and then signed by the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for five seasons, for the Montreal Alouettes from 2019 to 2022 and Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2023.

Darius Prince is an American football wide receiver for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League (AFL). Before joining the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019, he played on various indoor football teams including the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks from 2016 to 2017 and the Soul from 2017 to 2018. Prince received 1st Team All-NAL team honors with the Steelhawks and the ArenaBowl MVP Award with the Soul during ArenaBowl XXX in 2017.

Fabian Guerra is an American football wide receiver for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Fairmont State. Professionally, he was a member of the Carolina Cobras of the National Arena League (NAL) before joining the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He has also been a member of the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Badet</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Jeff Badet is a former American gridiron football wide receiver. He played college football at Kentucky before transferring to Oklahoma to finish his collegiate career, and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He also played for the Washington Football Team, and Michigan Panthers. In the 2020 XFL Draft, he was selected fourth overall by the Dallas Renegades.

Juwan Green is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Albany, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Falcons on April 25, 2020. As a senior at the University at Albany, he broke team records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions, as well as helped guide the team to their first playoff win.

Josh Ali is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kentucky and was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Malachi Jones". www.rivals.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Malachi Jones". www.sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Malachi Jones". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Central Gwinnett's Malachi Jones signs with Atlanta Havoc". December 17, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Central, Wesleyan's Malachi Jones' football journey continues with Atlanta Legends". February 9, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Chicago Bears Sign App State Alum Malachi Jones". July 27, 2018.
  7. ↑ Mayer, Larry (September 1, 2018). "Bears announce 53-man roster". ChicagoBears.com.
  8. ↑ "Wide Receiver Malachi Jones Signs with Atlanta Legends". OurSports Central. October 1, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Defense carries Albany Empire to season-opening win – the Daily Gazette". April 27, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Empire's Malachi Jones works out for Titans | WNYT.com". wnyt.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019.
  11. ↑ Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News . Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Alouettes sign new deals with three players including Canadian Michael Sanelli". MontrealAlouettes.com. December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Alouettes transactions". MontrealAlouettes.com. June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Former Arena League star returns to the Empire". Times Union . June 17, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Malachi Jones returns to the Albany Empire". News10.com. June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  16. ↑ "2022 NAL Transactions". nationalarenaleague.com.
  17. ↑ Matt Fortuna (September 22, 2011). "Jones brothers live through dad's lessons". www.espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  18. ↑ Angels select Georgia HS OF Jahmai Jones with 2nd-round pick in draft
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.