He stands at 5-foot-10, but throughout his career Cyrus Jones has defined himself by playing bigger than what he is.
The former Alabama cornerback became the team’s most consistent defender since making a transition to defense in 2013. Jones entered this week of Senior Bowl practice with a determination to show both his coverage skills and physicality.
Cyrus Jones at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/UsxANE4mWJ
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) January 26, 2016
Cyrus Jones showing off his footwork #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/HpWkvMgSUz
— Sanjay Kirpalani (@SanjayKirpalani) January 26, 2016
He has impressed in both aspects, yet Jones carries a third trait that will make him indispensable in the National Football League. He led the nation in 2015 with five punt return touchdowns.
Jones became the first Alabama player to return two punts for scores in the same game and the first FBS player in 20 years to record both a punt return touchdown and an interception in the same bowl game (Michigan State, Cotton Bowl).
He finished 2015 with 37 total tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
