Trente Jones, a fifth-year offensive tackle for Michigan, made his NFL Draft selection on Monday afternoon, choosing to enter the draft rather than play a sixth season in Ann Arbor. This past season, in 139 pass-blocking snaps, the 6-foot-4, 310-pound player showed off his skills as a reserve right tackle, allowing only three quarterback pressures.
Jones played along the offensive line for the Michigan Wolverines in 39 games over his five seasons there, making 10 starts. Throughout his career, he played 1,138 snaps, mostly at right tackle
Despite all of his time at Ann Arbor, his play in the Wolverines’ final four games of the season may be what people remember him for most. In the second half of Michigan’s game against Ohio State, Karsen Barnhart was moved from right tackle to right guard, and Jones was brought in off the bench when unanimous All-American Zak Zinter was injured.
In the postseason, he was even more effective for the Wolverines, allowing just one quarterback pressure in three games against Iowa, Alabama, and Washington. He assisted the team in finishing off a 30-24 victory over the Buckeyes. Michigan averaged 278 rushing yards on 33 carries, to Jones’ right or left, in run-blocking.
Jones demonstrated the importance of offensive line depth on the biggest stages of college football, following his coaches’ repeated statements throughout the season.
“As for me, I knew there would come a moment when I would have to take charge,” Jones said earlier this month to 247Sports. Every day, you may go in and get beat up without realizing that you might be getting ready for that. I entered Ohio State having prepared, and we didn’t miss a beat. I never stopped thinking that I might be the next guy.
It takes a team to succeed, and for me, it was crucial to understand that a national title was the ultimate goal. It’s about the team, not about any personal objectives of mine. Because you perform well when the team performs well. The hive benefits from what is beneficial to the bees.
