Blue and Gold Illustrated

Sept. 25, 2021

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 25, 2021 51 IRISH IN THE PROS A marginal 2020 NFL Draft candi- date, Jones ultimately signed with New Orleans as a free agent. He immedi- ately impressed last summer during the Saints training camp, but with all NFL exhibition games canceled because of the pandemic, Jones had zero opportu- nity as a rookie in the preseason to prove his value. Waiting his turn, as usual, opportuni- ties finally became available for Jones this preseason. He made good on all of them, leading the Saints with 106 rushing yards while adding 42 receiving yards during an abbreviated two-game exhibition season, an audition that in- cluded 120 total yards on 12 touches with an 18-yard touchdown run in the Saints' first exhibition game Aug. 14. "To be honest, I haven't had a real game since college," Jones said after- ward. "It felt great. It was like a coming- out party." Jones' breakout performance and his body of work during the 2021 preseason made him a reliable and budgetary No. 2 option behind Kamara, and expectedly, he seized this life-long opportunity. Jones played five snaps for the Saints last season — the first "real" reps of his NFL career — and tallied three carries for 13 yards. But in an expanded role that will bring more opportunities this season as Ka- mara's backup, Jones wasted no time proving his worth Sept. 12 in the Saints regular-season opener with 11 carries and 50 yards in an impressive 38-3 upset of Green Bay. THE STEADY JOURNEY A native of St. Petersburg, Fla. — and one of the nation's top 2016 running back recruits out of football factory IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. — Jones ad- mits to initially having negligible inter- est in attending a little school with a lot of snow in northern Indiana. "I never liked Notre Dame when I was growing up," Jones said with a laugh. "My mom [Natalie Jones] made me take a visit here, because she heard it was good on the field and off the field. And then, I just came here, and I just fell in love, I committed the next day." Along with Notre Dame, Jones' re- cruiting visits included Florida, Flor- ida State, Miami (Fla.), and Georgia — which seasonal school doesn't belong on this list? But Jones freely admits that mother knows best, then and now. "Mom wasn't pleased with any of [the visits] until we came to Notre Dame," Jones recalled. "She was impressed with the education and the people, it felt like a tight-knit family." And so a decision was made, Jones was coming to Notre Dame. "The academics, the players, the coaches," Jones said, "this school just had a different feel than all the others. Notre Dame is not for everyone but I knew it was right for me." Life is happening fast now for Jones. He has become a valuable NFL backup with a successful franchise. And per- haps more importantly, he's recently become engaged to his sweetheart Becca Rainey. A reserved and private person, Jones was "nudged" by friends into creating what turned out to be a touching TikTok internet wedding proposal video that generated more than 15 million views. "I'm not that type of person," Jones said of openly sharing such an intimate moment. "… then I was like, 'Hey, this is pretty cool.'" Becca accepted. ✦ MEMORABILIA Call 877-630-8768 to advertise in Blue & Gold Illustrated! Want a prayer published? Call 800-421-7751 M A R K E T P L A C E Vintage Notre Dame Memorabilia Augie's Locker Room ND Stadium Items, Jerseys, Helmets, Autographs and One-of-a-Kind Rockne Items. COME INTO THE STORE TO SEE OUR RARE NOTRE DAME HELMET DISPLAY, 1900 - PRESENT!! Voted Best Notre Dame Collectibles in the Country! 1811 South Bend Ave. South Bend , I n 46637 574-277-NDND (6363) www.augieslockerroom.com FACEBOOK.COM/AUGIESLOCKERROOM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-395-2974 PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. J.D.L. PERSONALS NOTRE DAME IN THE NFL: WEEK 1 HIGHLIGHTS • Chase Claypool (Played at Notre Dame from 2016-19), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Hauled in three receptions for 45 yards and had one rushing attempt for 25 yards in the Steelers' 23-16 win at Buffalo. • Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins: Started at left tackle in his first ca- reer NFL game and helped the Dolphins to a 17-16 win at New England. • Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears: Notched five catches for 42 yards in the Bears' 34-14 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams. • Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns: Started at linebacker in his NFL debut and made three tackles in the Browns' 33-29 loss at Kansas City. • Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minne- sota Vikings: Recorded six tackles and one sack in the Vikings' 27-24 overtime defeat at Cincinnati.

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