CHICAGO — Cardale Jones, the former third-string Ohio State quarterback who led the Buckeyes to a national championship title, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills Saturday afternoon with pick No. 139, the final selection of the fourth round.
Regarded as one of the more intriguing prospects available in this year’s draft, Jones flirted with the idea of declaring himself NFL-eligible last year after his impressive title run. However, he opted to remain at Ohio State for his junior season, and won the starting job outright.
As mentioned previously, he began the championship season as Ohio State’s third-string quarterback, and was thrust into the spotlight after injuries to Braxton Miller and backup J.T. Barrett. He made his first start during the Big Ten Championship Game, and never looked back.
In that game, he led the Buckeyes to a 59-0 butchering of Wisconsin and was named the game’s MVP. Next, he helped his squad upset the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl, and defeated Oregon in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Last season, he stormed out of the gate, leading the Buckeyes to a 7-0 record before ultimately being relinquished the starting job to Barrett after struggling under new quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Tim Beck.
At February’s NFL Scouting Combine, Jones spoke briefly on how losing the starting job effected him personally, and the goals he had for himself.
“To me, it was a disappointment for the personal goals and things I wanted to accomplish,” Jones said. “But everything that happened was for the betterment of the team. My goals that I wanted to accomplish as the quarterback of the team, they don’t outweigh the team’s success.”
Overall, he played in 23 games for the Buckeyes, and went 11-0 as a starting quarterback. Jones finished the 2015 season 110 of 176 (62.5 percent) for 1,460 yards, 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. For his career, Jones was 167 of 270 (61.9 percent) for 2,323 yards, 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Regardless of the stats, the traits Bills fans are likely to appreciate most are Jones’ physicality — he stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 253, and can throw the football 74 yards. Have a look.
Oh, just Cardale Jones slinging a ball 74 yards: pic.twitter.com/Pdvi48ZP6M
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) April 18, 2015
More stories you might like
