DELRAY BEACH – Bry’Yon Jones could be the biggest pickup this year for St. Thomas.
This was made official in a social media post that the Atlantic senior running back announced last night (Feb. 3). He kept it simple and straight to the point.
As Palm Beach County’s No. 2-ranked running back and No. 19 player overall, Jones is a reliable bruiser who is patient with the ball and takes advantage of every opportunity presented to him. He’s also a humble teammate who will do what’s necessary to help his team win games, even when it doesn’t involve him touching the ball.
The most significant high school football moment for Jones was this past year in Week 9 of the regular season, when his breakthrough occurred against then-state ranked Columbia in a 35-21 road win. He led then-state ranked Atlantic with three rushing touchdowns and earned a nomination for our MVP of Week 9.
“Long time coming,” Jones said shortly after Atlantic’s biggest win of this past season over Columbia. “I just felt like it was only a matter of time before I awake the sleeping giant. It’s nice to prove that I can play with best, even though I already knew it. Y’all just had to see it happen.”
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back scored at least seven times this past season, which included both of Atlantic’s touchdowns that sealed its 13-7 road win over McArthur in the Class 7A regional semifinals on Nov. 15, 2019. Jones had 11 carries for 83 hard-fought yards in that postseason tilt.
“That was a good game,” Jones said recently at the Lou Groza Awards ceremony this past December. “Knowing that I could make an impact on the game, it was just huge for me.
Despite coming through in some big moments for Atlantic, the only committable offers that Jones received were from St. Thomas and Keiser. His first offer came this past May from Iowa State.
Jones transferred from Forest Hill this past offseason, where he made a name for himself as a three-year starter for the Falcons. As a rising sophomore, he was a Class 7A All-State third team selection and a Mr. Florida nominee.
Jones has played for Atlantic head coach T.J. Jackson (senior season) and Forest Hill head coach Jude Blessington (freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons). Jackson and Blessington have been two of Palm Beach County’s most successful head coaches of the past decade, as evidenced by them both earning the Lou Groza Award for the Sam Budnyk Coach of the Year (Jackson in 2015; Blessington in 2017).
“They’ve been with me through the whole process,” Jones said. “They were making sure I take every step the right way and become a man along the way.”
Jones, who will be signing his letter of intent to St. Thomas tomorrow morning (Feb. 5, 10 a.m. at Atlantic High School), reflected on his high school football journey and his college recruiting process.
“In retrospect, I seen all the challenges I went through my whole high school career, ups and downs,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t change it for nothing…This will not be the last time you hear from Bry’Yon Jones.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Epiphany Photography
