East Carolina University – WR – Communications – 3.56 GPA
Head Coach: Scottie Montgomery | AD: Jeff Compher | FAR: Cal Christian
RECIPIENT OF THE COACH EDDIE ROBINSON SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD, ENDOWED BY THE GEORGE M. STEINBRENNER FAMILY AND THE NEW YORK YANKEES
Zay Jones’ remarkable accomplishments rank him among the most decorated student-athletes in East Carolina history. One of only three Pirates ever with more than 3,000 receiving yards, he becomes the first NFF National Scholar-Athlete in school annals.
A two-time First Team Academic All-District selection, Jones is a two-time member of the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Boasting a 3.56 GPA as a communications major, the Austin, Texas, native is also a two-time Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection and a six-time ECU Director of Athletics Honor Roll member.
A two-year team captain, Jones already ranks second in NCAA FBS history with 355 career receptions and second in Pirates’ history with 3,627 yards. His 19 career receiving touchdowns are also in the top five at East Carolina, and he has 29 career kickoff returns for 598 yards. A three-year letterman, Jones was named a 2015 Second Team All-AAC honoree and ECU’s Team MVP. After helping the Pirates to consecutive bowl berths, including a victory in the 2013 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, he earned the 2014 Rock Rock Roggeman Heart-of-the-Pirate Award as the team’s most inspirational player. As a freshman, he was named ECU Player of the Year for receiving and was a member of the C-USA All-Freshman Team. This season, Jones currently leads the FBS with 14.2 receptions per game while his 136.8 receiving yards per game and 1,094 receiving yards stand second nationally.
Jones has devoted more than 75 hours of community service during his career, including work with Aces for Autism, SportWorks Ministries, Ronald McDonald House, Maynard Children’s Hospital, National Food Bank, Dwayne Harris Football Camp and ECU Ladies Football Clinic. He has also participated in on-campus trash pick-ups, blood drives and elementary school visits, and he served as co-master of ceremonies for the 2015 ECU Goldspys (ECU’s version of the ESPYs). Jones’ father, Robert, was a First Team All-American for the Pirates.
