One of the Big Central Conference’s – if not the state’s – most dynamic offensive talents is headed down the shore. Catching the Parkway South from Route 1 & 9 will be Jaeden Jones Jaeden Jones 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB Colonia | 2024 State NJ . The Colonia product will now be a Hawk. By all indication it appears that the plan is for Jones to play defensive back at Monmouth.

Last – but certainly not least – comes perhaps the most well-rounded individual performance of week 3. Jones, despite losing a 1-possession game 28-20 at Linden, had a game to remember. A star dual-threat quarterback for the Patriots, Jones is having a tremendous season defensively totaling 48 tackles, 33 solos, and 1 FF so far this season. Specifically against Linden, he made 17 tackles from his safety position – a whopping 12 of which were solo tackles. Offensively was 8 for 15 for 131 yards and 1 passing TD through the air while he ran 20 times for 159 yards and 2 scores.

Jones, a prolific quarterback and recent Monmouth commit, stood out to be as a defensive back as well. The same shiftiness and hip mobility he demonstrates as a runner out of the backfield was in full effect as a safety too. Jones gets to his drops quickly and can open up his hips and run. What stood out about this was how he could weave, open and flip his hips, and then play over the top with ease. Further, he has college-ready size as a defensive back, officially measuring 5’10” and just under 190lbs.  

Another player coming from Colonia, Jaeden Jones Jaeden Jones 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB Colonia | 2024 State NJ was everything you could ask for in an athlete at the high school level. Jaeden put up some numbers you don’t hear too often. Not only did he throw for 1060 yards, but he also ran for an additional 1661 yards. And with 6 touchdowns through the air and 19 on the ground, Jaeden was every defenders worst nightmare to go up against. With a great ability to cut and make guys miss, Jaeden is also able to break tackles you wouldn’t expect someone to get out of. He is mostly a runner from the QB position, but also has deep ball capabilities. Any by using his feet, Jaeden is able to get out of sticky situations in the pocket and make a play out of nothing.

Jaeden’s skills don’t stop on the offensive side of the ball. A star on both sides, he was a hard hitting safety that was able to play up high or rolled down. With 81 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble, Jaeden was a playmaker no matter where he was on the field in 2022. Jaeden recently committed to Monmouth where he is sure to do great things.

One of the Garden State’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks is staying home after he graduates in 2024. Jones will taking the short trip from Route 1 in Woodbridge to Route 18 as he will be playing football in West Long Branch for Monmouth University. With all that he can do on the gridiron, it is not yet clear where the Hawks will utilize him.

The term “dual-threat QB” gets used somewhat liberally now a days; however, Jaeden Jones Jaeden Jones 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB Colonia | 2024 State NJ of the Colonia Patriots truly is electrifying in both phases of offense. This 6’0″ 190lb junior signal caller lit the turf on fire in 2022, passing for 1059 yards, 6 TDs, and 4 Ints; he ran for 1661 yards, 6.7 YPC, and 19 TDs. Maybe most impressive is that he had 9, 100-yard rushing games in 10 games played. Further, Jones finished second on the team with 80 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 Ints, 2 PD, 1 FR, and 1 FF. Jones can also score from the triple-threat position on the hardwood too, as he plays basketball for Colonia.

Lining up at QB, has shown the ability to run read option both with frontside and backside reads. When running, his hips are shifty and he can change directions by stopping on a time. This shiftiness combined with his vision as a ball carrier allows him to rip off big gains almost at will. When dropping back to pass, he has a subtleness to his movements that help him evade would-be tacklers in the pocket. Whether it be to set up a designed run or dropping back to pass, he does a nice job looking off defenders in order to move them and create seams in the defense.

Playing mostly from a two-high safety set, he explodes down hill to make tackles for minimal gains in the alley. He takes his drop step then flies up to contest short passes as well. He does not allow receivers to get past him and has soft hands. He flows sideline-to-sideline and takes good angles to the ball carrier.

One thing I think would add to the dynamic play of Jones is to keep his eyes downfield as he scrambles. Yes, he rips off big plays keeping the ball in his hands, but as defenders creep up to stop him receivers downfield will be running open. If he hits them, this scary playmaker will give opposing coaches nightmares before and after the game.

Hudl