Former University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football standout Javicz Jones has been voted the Indoor Football League’s 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. Jones also earned First Team All-IFL honors this season.
Jones, a linebacker in his third season with the Barnstormers, led the IFL with 148 total tackles this season. He added ten tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and four pass break ups. Jones also scored two defensive touchdowns as he helped lead Iowa to a 13-3 overall record and a playoff berth. He earned All-IFL honors for the second time in his career this season.
Jones played for the Cru from 2009-2012 and was an All-American linebacker at UMHB. He finished his collegiate career as the American Southwest Conference and Cru record holder for single-season and career tackles. Jones also still holds the UMHB single-season record with eight interceptions in 2012. He was voted National Defensive Player of the Year after helping lead UMHB to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals as a senior. Jones played for four ASC Champions and four NCAA postseason qualifiers during his career and was a two-time ASC Defensive Player of the Year and ASC Male Athlete of the Year in 2012-13.
