Former Indiana Football Linebacker Cam Jones Finishes as Chiefs' Leading Tackler in Preseason Win
Cam Jones finished his college football career at Indiana with 126 tackles, and on Saturday, he put those tackling talents on display for all to see.
After five seasons playing for coach Tom Allen and the Hoosiers, Jones signed with the world champion Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. In a 33-32 preseason win over the Browns, the Indiana-made linebacker finished with a team-leading seven tackles. Jones also finished the game with a pass deflection.
Despite playing a fantastic game at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Jones is not projected to make the Chiefs' 53-man roster according to multiple outlets.
The Athletic, Arrowhead Pride, Arrowhead Addict and AtoZ Sports all had the same quintet of linebackers as the only five that will make Kansas City's opening day roster — Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr., Drue Tranquil, Leo Chenal and Jack Cochrane.
It's hard for any undrafted player to make a roster in the NFL on his first try, and it's no different for Jones in 2023. For what it's worth, Arrowhead Addict's Stacy Smith did mention Jones in his 53-man roster projection as one of the very last cuts the team should make. Even if the former Hoosier can't crack the day one roster on his first try, he still might have a future in Kansas City.
"I do expect Cam Jones to be a priority to bring back for the team's practice squad," Smith wrote. "He did some good things in the preseason and is worth keeping around for future considerations."
Former Indiana football player turned Purdue football player Reese Taylor also has been playing for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2023 NFL preseason. Taylor is also not projected by outlets covering the Chiefs to make the 53-man roster.
Jones showed again on Saturday just how much tenacity and relentlessness he brings to the football field. Even if he's going to reside as a wandering, undrafted free agent, yet to make a regular season NFL roster for the time being, it's hard to imagine it stays that way.
Jones' performance was just another glimpse into what made him an Indiana football legend, and what should give him a long career playing this sport.
"He's got a heart of gold," Tom Allen said about Jones during the 2022 season. "As great a player as he is, he's a better person. I don't know that I've coached a better person ... Football is great, but the kind of man that you are, that counts."
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