Jordon Jones has love for the grind
Everything has always started with family for Nerria and Eric Jones’ son, Jordon. Troy's fifth-year offensive tackle highlights the support he received as a student-athlete, especially from his mother.
“She is the reason why I do all this in the first place,” Jones said. “She’s a big reason why I even got into college.”
Jones excelled playing high school ball at Paul G. Blazer High School in Ashland, Kentucky, helping his team go undefeated and capture a state championship while earning all-state recognition. Despite that success, the future Trojan did not attract the attention one might expect.
“I had no stars or offers,” Jones said. “Ohio University was the only DI school that showed serious interest, so I took it and ran with it.”
Ohio granted him a walk-on spot, but two years passed before he saw real game action or earned a scholarship. During his first years, Jones remained committed to working hard and learning as much as possible while he redshirted, appearing in just one game.
“I had a lot of good people around me, so I was a little sponge, waiting for an opportunity,” Jones said.
In his third season at Ohio, Jones notched playing time in 11 games with two starts, not allowing a single sack while splitting time between left and right tackle. That experience set him up for a breakout fourth season, when he earned the full-time starting job and Second Team All-Mid-American Conference honors for his role in the Bobcats’ conference-leading rushing attack.
Being a part of such a successful offense taught Jones the importance of consistency.
“You have to give it your all every single day, or you are going to lose it,” Jones said. “Attacking every day with the mindset of trying to be the best.”
In his final season of collegiate football, No. 55 chose to come to Troy to start at right tackle. The offensive line was a weak point for the Trojans in 2025, but fellow transfer and team captain Luke Petit joins Jones to help rejuvenate it.
“We are not going to be the reason why we are not successful,” Jones said. “We want to be an offensive line-led team.”
The trenches are brutal, but they often determine a football game's outcome. Success requires dedication and passion. Jones spoke to the character of Troy’s offensive line, which will be an asset this season.
“We’re a bunch of tough guys who want to get it done by any means possible,” Jones said. “We are always learning and playing for each other.”
One might expect an athlete's favorite part to be the games or travel, but Jones looks forward to something different.
“The work we put in is what I am a sucker for, especially the hard things in football like the workouts,” Jones said. “I would definitely say my favorite part is the grind.”
This mentality helped Jones become a state champion, a starter on a team that won four consecutive bowl games and an all-conference player. His mindset and drive have not changed as Troy begins Sun Belt Conference play. He sets lofty goals for himself and his team because of the proven results hard work can bring.
“Our focus is to win every game, one by one, by coming ready to work every day and winning the day,” Jones said. “I want to leave a championship here at Troy, and that takes daily effort and building a bond with everyone.”
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