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BREAKING: Colts Select Texas A&M CB Jaylon Jones At No. 221 Overall

Jaylon Jones proved himself as one of the Aggies' top secondary defenders, and now, his talents will take him to the Indianapolis Colts for his rookie season next year.

Matt Guzman

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Three years under one of college football's all-time great coaches is a strong recipe for success for just about any player. 

During his three in Aggieland, junior cornerback Jaylon Jones had that with Jimbo Fisher, getting a chance to play against high-powered SEC offenses for the Texas A&M Aggies, and he did not disappoint. 

The 21-year-old was just two tackles short of 100 on his college career, also adding three interceptions and a fumble recovery to his resume with the Aggies. His ability to read plays as they happen made him one of Texas A&M's top secondary defenders, and now, that ability has officially taken him to the next level: 

Jones is headed to the Indianapolis Colts next season as the No. 221 overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. 

The former Aggie cornerback becomes the third player from Texas A&M to be drafted, which also marks its final prospect of 2023. While Jones will have his chance to prove his talent in front of NFL-caliber receivers and quarterbacks, he credits his time in College Station as a primary stepping stone to his professional career.

"I definitely feel like I'm prepared," Jones said. "[It's] due to coming to [Texas A&M] with Jimbo Fisher ... they definitely prepared us for the next level. Coming out here every day; blood, sweat and tears ... that's real. You have to be a real dude to be in this program, so I'm thankful for my coaches and my brothers for allowing this to happen."

Jones made physical play after physical play on the field, and his game stood apart from his teammates in more ways than one. In the latter two years of college, Jones was even awarded the Aggie Team Defense Attitude Award, though that positive "attitude" started long before he even stepped on the field on game days.

"I'm a smart player," Jones said. "I have a high [football] IQ. When it comes to the playbook and being in the film room, I'm like a geek for it. That's all I do."

And while that aspect of his game is apparent, Jones is not done improving yet, hoping to continue to make strides with coach Shane Steichen and the Colts. 

"I'm going to keep honing in on technique," Jones said. "I'm gonna work to take those angles where I can get to the ball and get an interception. [I'm] definitely [going to] just keep being aggressive."

Standing at 6-2, 205 pounds, Jones brings size to Indianapolis, and will serve as a strong asset for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's unit, and if his time in the league is anything like his college career, Jones will only get better with time, honed by his teammates and newfound brotherhood. 

"We pushed each other every day," Jones said. "I credit our brotherhood ... I love those guys. I pray for their blessing as we're all here trying to get the same goal."

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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