Jones Named AFCA NAIA Second-Team All-American
WACO, Texas – Linebacker Aven Jones was named a 2024 AFCA NAIA Second-Team All-American, as announced Wednesday by the American Football Coaches Association.
Jones' All-American honor is the Taylor football program's first since 2015, when TU Hall-of-Fame defensive back Adam Sauder was named to the first team. Jones' selection marks the program's 38th total NAIA All-American honor, seven of which have now been Second-Team All-American picks.
The 2024 AFCA All-Americans are split into First- and Second-Team Offense, Defense and Special Teams honorees for a total of 54 NAIA All-Americans, with Jones selected as one of 22 players on the defensive side of the ball.
Jones, a senior hailing from New Palestine, Indiana, leads the NAIA in total tackles with 132.0 stops heading into FCS Semifinals play. The linebacker also produced 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 sacks and a team-best three forced fumbles in 2024 en route to being awarded the MSFA Mideast League Defensive Player of the Week four times and the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week once.
The linebacker concludes his five-season career at 22nd-ranked Taylor with 402.0 total tackles, 25.0 of which have gone for a loss, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Taylor athletics has now combined to pick up five NAIA All-Americans during the 2024-2025 year.