The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Jones drafted by Miami Dolphins
04.24.2020 | Football
Texas DB Brandon Jones was selected in the third round with the 70th overall pick.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas defensive back Brandon Jones was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Friday.
"It's a dream come true for sure," Jones said. "I can't put it into words how grateful I am, not only for the Dolphins organization for taking a chance on me, but for The University of Texas for molding me and making me the player I am today. Shout out to Coach Herman, Coach Naivar, Yancy McKnight, all those guys in the facility, Kevin Washington for really reminding me of not only being a football player, but the man I am today. Of course, most importantly, my family, I owe them everything and love them so much."
With Jones' selection, it marks the seventh time in the last 11 NFL Drafts that a Texas defensive back has been picked. He is also the 25th Longhorn DB to be selected in the last 30 NFL Drafts. Jones is the fifth Longhorn selected by the Miami Dolphins all time (Kheeston Randall, 2012; Rod Wright, 2006; John Stuart, 1986; Glenn Blackwood, 1979).
"In Brandon, they're getting a remarkable young man who has a heart of gold and is very smart and instinctual," Texas head coach Tom Herman said. "He is the best open-field tackler that I've ever coached. He gets them on the ground one way or another. He can come downhill and hit you in the run game, but can also roam center field and is extremely fast. I think in one play a couple years ago, we tracked him right at 23 miles-per-hour on a play where he knocked the running back out of bounds on a 4th & Goal from the 2-yard line. He's very versatile at safety. He can play center field and can play in the box. He's physical and will hit you. He's one of our captains, and is a great leader.
"He's a consummate pro. He studies his craft and studies not just himself and techniques, he studies the great ones in the NFL and the great ones in college, as well, some of his peers. He's always studying and always trying to make himself better. He really enjoys that part of the game – the scheme and X's and O's part of the game."
Jones played in 46 career games with 35 starts during his career on the Forty Acres. He recorded 233 tackles (175 solo), 14 tackles for loss, defended 11 passes and intercepted four as a Longhorn. Jones was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2018 and a watch list candidate for both the Lott IMPACT and Bronko Nagurski trophies entering 2019. During the 2019 season, he went on to become a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year Award, leading the Longhorns with 86 tackles, including 64 solo stops. Jones also recorded 70 tackles as a junior in 2018, making him the first Longhorn to post consecutive 70-tackle seasons since Steve Edmond did so from 2012-14.
The Nacogdoches, Texas native was a Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll member in the spring of 2019 and graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in sports management and a minor in education.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
ESPN Analyst Mel Kiper, Jr.
"I love the versatility of Brandon Jones. He's done a lot during his career at Texas. You think about this past season, he had 64 solo of his 86 tackles, which led that Longhorn defense. That's impressive. Four-and-a-half tackles for loss, broke up four passes, had a couple of interceptions, and forced a fumble, but what I really like is he can play high and he can play in the slot. That's what really got my attention this past year – his ability to cover as a slot, that's critical in the NFL. Defensive coordinators love safeties that can do that and provide that type of versatility. At Texas, he was arguably, if not their best defensive player, certainly one of their top two. I thought overall this year he was an outstanding football player. That's a really nice pick at that point in the third round for the Miami Dolphins. I've watched a lot of games this year, and he looked like a mid-second rounder, so you're getting pretty good value here with a really versatile safety and an athletic safety in Brandon Jones."
Brandon Jones
On the moment:
"I literally had just gone upstairs to use the restroom, and I was halfway up the staircase. I didn't know who was on the board at the time and I got a call from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I answered it and talked to the coach and the GM, and I was legit speechless. I was shocked. Everybody downstairs thought it was a prank call. They thought I went upstairs and prank called myself. They didn't believe I was on the phone. I told them it was the Dolphins and everyone froze and then got hyped and started screaming, so I could barely hear. It was an experience I'll remember forever."
On the Miami Dolphins:
"I know it's going to be really fun. They're an organization that's building, and it's going to be really exciting to be around those guys. Everybody on that team has the same goals and same dreams and aspirations that I have, so I thought it was a really great fit for me. I definitely know the DB room is going to be competitive and that those guys will take me under their wing. I'm really excited to learn and take in as much as I can, and hopefully, whether it's on defense or special teams, just earn my way on the field as soon as possible."
On having been to the city of Miami:
"I haven't. For the Under Armour game I went to Florida, but I haven't been to Miami before. I know it's awesome and the weather will be amazing. I'm excited for sure. I really don't know what to expect, but I'm just excited to get started."
On former teammates he's talked to:
"DeShon (Elliott) literally drove over as soon as he saw me get drafted. Kenny Vaccaro texted me, Quandre Diggs texted me, a whole bunch of guys have. I honestly haven't gotten a chance to look through all my text messages. I was getting FaceTime after FaceTime while I was on my Zoom meeting, so I definitely have to get back with those guys. I think the whole Texas family has been great. I saw Kris Boyd had a video and shouted me out, you just see the love and tradition. With Texas Football, it's something that lasts for a lifetime and everybody is so supportive."
On having former Longhorns to lean on as he enters the league:
"It's awesome. Just having guys with experience and getting a head start and jump into things when it comes to learning the ins and outs of the NFL and how it is – how to dress, what I need to take in and what's going to get me on the field the quickest."
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
ATX ➡️South Beach. @BlessedJones33 is now a member of the @MiamiDolphins. 🤘#ThisIsTexas #HookEm #TexasMade #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/gv94zjf1jq
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2020
.@BlessedJones33 got it covered 💪
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 25, 2020
Welcome to Miami! pic.twitter.com/y1zSJaf9aP
The moment @BlessedJones33 was selected by the @MiamiDolphins in the 2020 #NFLDraft. April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC.#ThisIsTexas #HookEm TexasMade pic.twitter.com/c3aQNyWCnu
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2020
Big congrats to Captain @BlessedJones33 from @CoachTomHerman. 🤘#ThisIsTexas #HookEm #NFLDraft #TexasMade @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/kpaFu48tw2
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2020
What's up Miami? I'm ready! @MiamiDolphins @TexasFootball#NFLDraft #TexasMade pic.twitter.com/n6SyxwvKEh
— Brandon Jones (@BlessedJones33) April 25, 2020
