The extremely experienced right tackle will look to find a home during the NFL Draft.
Texas Longhorns right tackle Christian Jones, a sixth-year senior from Cypress Woods, has accumulated 48 starts in burnt orange and white and is set to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jones signed with the Longhorns after beginning his football career during his junior year of high school. Primarily a soccer player during his youth, he continued playing the sport during his first two years of high school before being persuaded to the gridiron. In just two years, the athleticism and potential from Jones caught the eyes of Texas as a late addition in the 2018 recruiting class as a consensus three-star prospect who was originally pledged to SMU before his senior season.
As one of the more raw prospects in his class, Jones did not see much playing time in his first two years on the Forty Acres. However, as a sophomore, Jones was an anchor of the line. he started all 10 games including a brief one-game stint at left tackle. During the 2020 season, Jones helped quarterback Sam Ehlinger and others to the second-best scoring average in school history at 42.7 ppg.
Following that campaign, Jones was cemented as a key figure of the offensive line. The following year, he started all 12 games at left tackle. As a protector of the blind spot, Jones not only ensured the pocket remained clean but also that holes were created for the run game. He helped block for career high in rushing yards for both Bijan Robinson and Keilan Robinson.
The remaining two years for Jones were back at right tackle, where he started all 26 games in which he appeared. This stretch included the Doak Walker Award and All-American selection for Bijan Robinson and the Doak Walker Award semifinalist campaign of Jonathon Brooks in conjunction with Texas’ first College Football Playoff appearance.
Jones leaves Texas with 61 appearances and 48 starts. He demonstrated an ability to block both the run and pass at either tackle position for some of the best individual and team performances Texas has seen in decades, improving steadily until he became a plus player over his last two seasons, cementing his status as a draftable player in 2023, potentially in the mid rounds thanks to a strong performance in the Senior Bowl.
Surprised Christian Jones isn’t getting talked about more this draft cycle. He’s got NFL level strength, very experienced player and I think some of the quickness/agility concerns are a bit overblown.
pic.twitter.com/c7uCFsgRDD— ~Z~ (@TrxppeZ) April 11, 2024
I have great feet. That comes first and foremost. I’m an intelligent player that’s a quick learner. I have 36-inch arms. I can play in space. I’m a mauler in the run game. That’s how I’d write my own scouting report,” Jones told the Draft Network in Mobile.
NFL coaching staffs will value his elite size and stout center of gravity. Jones utilizes his long and muscular arms to latch onto opposing defenders which has proved very successful for him. His ability to demonstrate an improved lateral quickness and lower body twitch during the combine and preseason training will be critical to his success at the next level.