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| Cardale Jones | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cardale Jones |
| Birth date | 28 September 1992 |
| Birth place | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in |
| Weight | 255 lb |
| Position | Quarterback |
| College | Ohio State University |
| Nfl draft | 2016 / Round: 4 / Pick: 139 |
| Past teams | Buffalo Bills; Los Angeles Chargers; Seattle Seahawks; Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
Cardale Jones
Cardale Jones is an American former professional football quarterback known for leading Ohio State to a national championship run in the 2014–15 season and for subsequent professional stints in the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He gained national prominence during the 2014 Big Ten Championship, the 2015 Sugar Bowl, and the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, and later appeared on media programs and in entrepreneurial ventures.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jones grew up in the Kinsman area and attended Elyria High School before transferring to Glenville High School, where he played under coach Ted Ginn Sr.. At Glenville he competed in high school football and developed alongside teammates who advanced to Division I FBS programs, drawing recruitment interest from programs such as West Virginia, Iowa State, Youngstown State, and Fort Valley State. His combination of size and athleticism prompted offers and campus visits to Ohio State University, where he enrolled as a recruit for coach Urban Meyer.
At Ohio State University, Jones redshirted before competing on the depth chart behind starters including Braxton Miller and J. T. Barrett. During the 2014 season an injury to Miller and a later injury to Barrett elevated Jones to starting status for the Big Ten Championship, the 2015 Sugar Bowl, and the College Football Playoff National Championship, where he led the Buckeyes to a decisive victory over the Oregon Ducks. Jones' performances in the College Football Playoff showcased passing and rushing ability against defenses from programs such as Michigan State, Wisconsin, Alabama, and Clemson, earning him recognition among voters and analysts from outlets like ESPN, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and The Athletic.
Jones declared for the 2016 NFL Draft and was selected in the fourth round by the Buffalo Bills. He spent time on the Bills' roster and practice squad before roster moves led to short-term tenures with the Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks, navigating transactions involving NFL practice squad rules and waiver processes common to players transitioning from college football to the National Football League. In pursuit of playing time he later signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, competing under rules such as the CFL ratio and adapting to field differences used by teams including the Ottawa Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts. His professional career included preseason appearances, regular-season depth roles, and participation in team activities, while his journey intersected with agents, scouting combines, and media coverage from outlets like NFL Network and CBS Sports.
Jones is a prototypical pro-style quarterback with a large frame, combining the size seen in quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and the mobility of dual-threat players such as Cam Newton. Observers noted his arm strength, pocket presence, and ability to extend plays with rushing yards against schematic defenses used by teams like Michigan and Penn State. Scouting reports from NFL Scouting Combine evaluations emphasized measurable traits—height, weight, speed—while film study highlighted his ability to read coverages employed by Big Ten Conference opponents and to execute play-action concepts frequently used in Urban Meyer's offensive system.
Jones has been involved in media appearances, entrepreneurial activities, and community work, associating with figures and organizations across sports and entertainment such as LeBron James, Nike, and regional nonprofits in Cleveland. He has pursued interests in business and public speaking, engaging with alumni networks at Ohio State University and participating in broadcasts and interviews on platforms like FOX Sports, Barstool Sports, and The Rich Eisen Show. Jones' personal endeavors also included collaborations with trainers and coaches from regional programs including IMG Academy and local high school coaching staffs.
Jones' rapid ascension from backup to national champion cemented a legacy often cited in discussions of impactful postseason performances alongside historic underdog runs such as Appalachian State's upset and Boise State's legacy plays. Honors and recognition include team awards at Ohio State University, media coverage in outlets like ESPN and Sports Illustrated, and enduring mention in lists of notable College Football Playoff performances. His career continues to be referenced in analyses of quarterback development, roster management by teams such as the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks, and the transition from NCAA Division I FBS success to professional leagues.
Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players Category:Buffalo Bills players