“Two years, two-time All-American, how much more can you do?” Richt said last week in Orlando during bowl practices.
The 6-foot-3, 241-pound Jones leads the nation with 14½ sacks, 24½ tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles. He was named a finalist for just about every defensive player of the year award this past season.
He had two sacks in Georgia’s 45-31 Capital One Bowl victory, breaking David Pollack’s single-season record in 2002. He also broke Pollack’s single-season tackle-for-loss record.
He finished his career with 28 career, tied for third on Georgia’s all-time list.
“He’s made an impact ever since he walked back on our campus,” Richt said.
Jones was praised by graduate assistants for his work on the scout team while sitting out a season after transferring from Southern California, where the doctors would not clear him to play after he sustained a spinal injury during his freshman season.