Jones Named NAIA and MSFA Defensive Player of the Week

NAIA Release | MSFA Release | TU Honors Page

UPLAND, Ind. – Following a career-night in Taylor's overtime instant-classic and near-upset of No. 7 Marian, Aven Jones was named the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week, as well as the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Defensive Player of the Week.

Jones made play after play in Taylor's 35-34 loss to the visiting Knights, posting a career-high 19 tackles in the game, with 12 coming via solo sticks. The senior linebacker added one sack, 2.5 hits behind the line of scrimmage for negative 14 yards and also recovered a fumble.

With the 19 tackles, Jones closed week-five ranked third in the NAIA with 59 tackles, just two off the national lead. Jones also ranks second in the nation with 37 solo tackles.

The NAIA national honor is the first for Jones, while the weekly MSFA nod is the third of the season for the linebacker and the fourth of his career with the Trojans.

With the honor, Taylor now boasts two NAIA National Athlete-of-the-Week awards and 12 weekly league honors for the 2024-2025 year.

Jones and the Trojans (4-1, 1-0 MSFA) will resume play on Saturday, October 5 at 1:00 pm with a showdown against Saint Francis (3-1) inside Turner Stadium.