Texas defensive end Jacoby Jones announces his return for 2021

Senior defensive end Jacoby Jones ended the speculation on Tuesday when he announced he would forgo the NFL Draft and return in 2021.

With the loss of Joseph Ossai to the NFL Draft, a major question mark rises on who will handle edge duties in the 2021 season.

The defense will be undergoing a makeover once again as Chris Ash is headed to Jacksonville to join Urban Meyer’s staff and Pete Kwiatkowski will join Steve Sarkisian’s staff at Texas. Kwiatkowski was formerly the defensive coordinator at Washington before taking over the same role for the Longhorns.

It will be quite interesting to see how the defense plays out as the Huskies ran a 2-4-5 defense that used both outside linebackers as pass rushers. Who will occupy those outside positions for the Longhorns? One option could be Jacoby Jones. On Tuesday, Jones announced that he would be returning for the 2021 season and take advantage of the extra year of eligibility due to the coronavirus pandemic.

I would first like to thank coach Herman for giving me the opportunity to play for one of the top programs in America. I also have to thank coach Giles and coach Ash for helping me to become a better athlete on the field and an even better man off the field. To the rest of the defensive staff and player personnel staff, than you for all the guidance since I enrolled from Juco.

With that being said, I have some unfinished business, and there is still a lot for me to accomplish as a student-athlete at the University of Texas. After much prayer and talking to my family, I have decided to forgo the 2021 NFL draft, take my extra year of eligibility and return to the 40 acres to graduate in May and play my last football season as a Longhorn! Let’s Get Active!

#Longlivetete

J. Jones