E. J. Jones Gets New Start at Illinois State

E.J. Jones, a sophomore defensive back, who started the first college game of his career for Minnesota in 2006, has gotten a new start at Illinois State. Jones helped lead the Redbirds to a 57-6 win Saturday over Indiana State, where his father, Edmund, is the defensive backs coach. Jones left Minnesota after sitting out last year after he and three other teammates were dismissed from the team.

E.J. Jones was the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Greater Metro Player of the Year as he rushed 249 times for 2,066 yards, both school records. Jones was also named the Belleville News-Democrat Player of the Year and the Alton Telegraph Player of the Year as a senior and was an all-state selection by the Champaign News-Gazette, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association.

Jones started the first game of his college career against Kent State and was the only player that season for Minnesota to start a game as a true freshman. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in the opener and played in just five games with 14 carries for 30 yards.

Jones and teammates Alex Daniels, Dominic Jones and Robert Massey were removed from the program in response to a sexual assault in a campus apartment.

Dominic Jones was the only player charged and was found guilty of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct earlier in April. Daniels (Cincinnati) and Keith Massey (Texas Southern) transferred.

E.J. Jones stayed in school with the hopes to clear his name and be allowed back on the football team. However, Tim Brewster decided that it would be best for Jones to get a new start somewhere else.

Jones transferred to Illinois State and has come off the bench in all four games this season as the Redbirds are off to a 2-2 start. He has four solo tackles and five assists and one forced fumbles.