Byron Jones

BIOGRAPHY

Byron Jones was born September 26, 1992, in New Britain, Connecticut. He is a cornerback in the NFL. Jones accepted a scholarship from the University of Connecticut Huskies. As a redshirt freshman, he started 2 games at cornerback and six of the final seven games at safety. He recorded 51 tackles (sixth on the team), one fumble recovery, 2 interceptions, and 4 passes defended. He returned a fumble for a game-winning touchdown against the University of South Florida.

As a sophomore, he started 12 games at safety, tallying 88 tackles (third on the team), one interception and 2 passes defended. The next year, he was switched to cornerback, starting 11-of-12 games, while registering 60 tackles (fourth on the team), 3 interceptions and 8 passes defended.

Jones started 7 games at cornerback as a senior, posting 24 tackles, 2 interceptions and 4 passes defended. He had a 70-yard interception return against the University of South Florida in what ESPN announcers called "what might be the UConn play of the year". He missed the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury suffered in a loss against East Carolina University. He finished his college career with 223 total tackles, 8 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns.

The Dallas Cowboys selected Jones in the first round (27th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the fourth cornerback selected in 2015. On March 21, 2020, Jones signed a five-year, $82 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

In Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jones forced a fumble on Mecole Hardman that was recovered by the Dolphins and intercepted a pass thrown by Patrick Mahomes during the 33–27 loss. This was Jones' first interception since the 2017 season. In Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills, Jones recorded his career-high second interception of the season off a pass thrown by Josh Allen during the 56–26 loss.

In 2020, he signed a five-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.