WILLIAMSBURG — After establishing himself among the nation’s elite college football players, William & Mary standout cornerback Jalen Jones was selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000.
The list recognizes the nation’s top 1,000 all-star game eligible players who will be considered for the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Honored as a 2025 preseason All-American by Stats Perform and FCS Football Central, Jones enters his fourth season as a starter and one of the most accomplished players in school history.
A first-team All-America selection by numerous organizations last season, Jones was chosen a finalist for the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award for FCS national defensive player of the year. The Chesapeake, Va., native ranked first nationally in passes defended (22), passes defended per game (1.8) and pass breakups (20). Additionally, the two-time All-CAA standout ranked tied for eighth in the conference in interceptions (2) and tied for sixth in forced fumbles (2).
Jones enters his senior season ranked sixth at W&M in career passes defended (39), while he has also totaled six interceptions, a pick-six, 89 tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Jones leads a talented Tribe defensive unit that features a league-leading three preseason All-CAA standouts.
W&M enters the 2025 campaign having posted four consecutive winning seasons, marking the first time the program has accomplished the feat in the last 25 years. The Tribe opens its season at Furman on Aug. 30, while it will host Maine for its home opener on Sept. 6. Season tickets, as well as mini plans, are available at TribeAthletics.com.
