The North Carolina Tar Heels‘ football program has been spoiled at wide receiver over the past couple seasons.
In the COVID-altered 2020 season, Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown tore up opposing defenses.Two years ago, Josh Downs and Antoine Green shined in Carolina Blue. Last season, Devontez Walker made an immediate impact after being ruled ineligible for UNC’s first five games, leading North Carolina with seven touchdowns.
For the first time since before COVID, the Tar Heels enter their upcoming season without any of the above guys. Normally, this would create issues for a young team, but UNC won’t have that issue.
There’s another top receiver in town now – his name is J.J. Jones, the senior wideout who will be a main part of North Carolina’s new-look offense when August rolls around.
Jones held down the number one wide receiver spot to start 2023. He only caught two passes in the Tar Heels’ season-opening win over South Carolina, then nearly got 100 yards the following week against App State.
Walker’s return would mean less production from Jones, right? Jones did average less targets, but he still averaged around 40 yards per game.
When the season was over, Jones topped UNC with 711 receiving yards. With no Walker this year, I expect Jones’ 2023 yardage and touchdown (three) total to grow.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Tar Heels’ new number one pass-catcher:
Player biography
Sep 16, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) catches the ball in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Hometown: Myrtle Beach, SC
High School: Myrtle Beach
Height: 6’2.5″
Weight: 210 lbs.
Class: Senior
Jones’ UNC stats
Dec 27, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (11) tackles North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2023: Started all 13 games he appeared in, catching 46 passes for 711 yards (54.7 YPG) and three touchdowns.
2022: Started 12 of 14 games he appeared in, catching 24 passes for 434 yards (31 YPG) and two touchdowns.
2021: Appeared in just eight games, catching four passes for 67 yards.
Jones’ fit on UNC’s depth chart?
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) signals first down in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
I know we’ve alluded to it earlier, but Jones has to be atop the Tar Heels’ depth chart, especially with no more Walker.
The only possible challenger I could see to Jones’ spot is Nate McCollum, the former Georgia Tech transfer who recorded a pair of 100-yard games.
I foresee North Carolina’s top three receivers being Jones, McCollum and incoming freshman Jordan Shipp. With how much UNC likes to spread the ball around, though, Jones won’t be the only guy producing in the pass-catching game.
Potential fears for Jones
Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) celebrates with wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) after making a touchdown catch against Clemson Tigers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
If I’m being completely honest, I have no fears for Jones. He showcased WR2 numbers two seasons ago, WR1 numbers last year and is poised to take an even bigger step in 2024.
IF I had a fear, though, Jones only has five touchdowns through two seasons as a starter. Jones can get you down the field, but UNC has so many scoring options, so that may be why Jones does not have a ton of scores.
Realistic expectations for 2024
North Carolina Tar Heels J.J. Jones (5) hauls in a pass during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 23, 2023.
With North Carolina yet to name a starting quarterback, Jones will be a reliable target for whomever head coach Mack Brown chooses.
I think Jones will have a big game early, settle in a little bit, then break out again as we get deeper into ACC play. If I had to predict a final stat-line, Jones finishes his year with over 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Looking back at Jones as a recruit
Wren’s Nick Morgan (16) and Myrtle Beach’s J.J. Jones (5) compete for a pass during the first half of the Class AAAA state championship at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.
Ss States 2019 12 07 1481
According to Jones’ 247Sports recruiting profile, he was a 4-star recruit, the Class of 2021’s third-ranked player in South Carolina and 44th-ranked wide receiver in the country. Jones received 19 offers in high school, but ended up choosing UNC over the likes of 2024 National Champion Michigan and longtime ACC archrival Duke.
Jones on social media
Sep 16, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) catches the ball as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tre’Von Jones (2) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
X (formerly Twitter): @jjjones_5
Instagram: @thejjjones
J.J. Jones making a crazy catch against Duke
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) catches the ball as Duke Blue Devils cornerback Al Blades Jr. (7) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Jones (5) celebrating with his teammates
Nov 4, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Chris Culliver (3) celebrates with wide receivers Christian Hamilton (7) and wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) and tight end Cort Halsey (87) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Jones toe-tapping the sidelines
Sep 16, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) catches the ball before going out of bounds as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Justin Walley (5) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Jones in 2022 Holiday Bowl
Dec 28, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) attempts to make a catch over Oregon Ducks defensive back Dontae Manning (8) during the first quarter of the 2022 Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Source link : https://tarheelswire.usatoday.com/lists/2024-unc-football-season-player-profile-j-j-jones/
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Publish date : 2024-07-16 20:52:00
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