In game No.5 of the 2016 season, it looked as though Rutgers senior linebacker Greg Jones had played his final down of college football when he was carted off the field against Ohio State. A neck injury ended his season, but the fifth-year senior was not willing to give up on football.
He remained with Rutgers and supported his teammates throughout the rest of the season while also healing up from injury.
Jones started five games last season and was arguably Rutgers’ most productive linebacker during that stint, which was highlighted by an eight-tackle performance against New Mexico.
Jones could pursue a sixth year at Rutgers, although he provided the reasoning as to why he is looking for other options.
“They don’t have any more scholarships and the roster is looking a little full,” Jones said. “I could become a walk-on and they would definitely take me back that way. But being a walk-on with school and money, that is really hard for me. So I am trying to find a place that has a scholarship.
“I was talking to the coaches at Rutgers and they were trying to help me get my year back. The program that you are actually going to be with for that sixth year has to help you fill out that waiver form. So Rutgers has all my information and whichever school I go to, they are going to send them all my information.”
Jones performed at Rutgers Pro Day in March and registered a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash, 26 reps on the 225-pound bench press, a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.42 and an 11.70 time in the 60-yard shuttle. He also recorded a 32-inch vertical jump along with a 9-foot-6 broad jump.
That was all before he was medically cleared to play football, which came last week.
“When I first went to the doctor, he told me my plates were herniated and they were bulging discs,” Jones said. “So what naturally happens is if you don’t get surgery, the plates will naturally go back into place and the body heals itself. So we wanted to get more MRIs and x-rays and tests done. It turned out that my plates were growing in the right direction. Everything is normal now.”
Since shortly after his injury, Jones has continued to train for one more season of football and brings with him a lot of position versatility.
He began his college football career at East Stroudsburg, where he collected 72 tackles in one season as an outside linebacker. Then, it was off to Middlesex County College for one year before Jones landed at Monroe College where he rushed for 444 yards at against junior college competition.
“I am always training and on the field. I am doing everything from defensive back work to offensive work as a running back,” Jones said. “There is no one position I have to limit myself too. I have really been working hard for it.”
With injury issues and hardships factoring in over Jones’ long journey through college, he is confident in being granted a sixth year of eligibility.
“I have two hardships that I have been through with my family and myself, so it is very likely I get that year back. Someone just has to be willing to give me that opportunity. I just want to play football and show that I can be healthy and 100% on the field. I honestly don’t have a preference of where I go, I just want to be somewhere I am wanted.”
