Zay Jones

Zay Jones's Biography

Isaiah Avery “Zay” Jones was born in Dallas, Texas on March 30, 1995. The son of Robert Jones, a former NFL player, and Maneesha Jones, Zay is one of three brothers, his siblings being Cayleb and Levi. His uncle is also a former professional football player named Jeff Blake.

Jones attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, Texas and demonstrated a strong inclination towards football early on. He later committed to play college football at East Carolina University. Throughout his time at East Carolina as a true freshman in 2013, he played in 13 games, made eight starts, and finished second on the team with 62 receptions for 604 yards and five touchdowns.

His sophomore and junior years saw a considerable improvement in his stats with 81 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns and 98 receptions for 1,099 yards and five touchdowns respectively. However, Jones’ standout season came in his senior year in 2016, where he broke both school and national records. With remarkable stats of 158 receptions, he became the NCAA Division I football all-time single-season leader in receptions. His success didn’t just stop there as he also became the NCAA Division I football career leader in receptions with 399. His exceptional performance earned him a place as one of three finalists for the 2016 Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation’s outstanding receiver in college football.

Following an invitation to the Senior Bowl, Jones showcased his tremendous football skills, leading both teams and improving his draft stock. His propensity for football was unanimously predicted by NFL draft experts and analysts who projected him to be selected in the second round of the NFL.

Jones was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round with the 37th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft on May 18. His first contract with the Bills was for four years, amounting to $6.77 million, and including a signing bonus of $3.07 million. His NFL debut was marked by a 21–12 victory over the New York Jets in September 2017.

Jones battled shoulder injury during his rookie season but this did not hinder his performance. Despite a low-volume passing offense, his catch percentage increased significantly, leading to a new personal record for his longest reception – a 57-yard pass from Josh Allen.

Jones moved to the Oakland Raiders in 2019, following a trade deal for a 2021 fifth-round pick. He then continued his football success in Oakland, appearing in 15 games and starting nine. His first touchdown since 2018 came during the Raiders’ first home game in newly relocated Allegiant Stadium.

2020 was a testing year for Jones as he was fined $15,000 by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols. Despite this setback, he still performed admirably, appearing in 16 games, and amassing 14 receptions for 154 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Jones re-signed with the Raiders in 2021 for one-year contracts and ended the game against the Baltimore Ravens with a 31-yard touchdown, leading the Raiders to a victory. Despite the demanding schedule of 17 games, Jones’ performance never waned.

In March 2022, he signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His time in Jacksonville was marked by several outstanding plays and notable performances, including recording 109 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 40–34 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

In April 2024, Jones was released by the Jaguars. A month later, he secured a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Shortly after, however, he was suspended for five games for violating NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Throughout his career, Isaiah Avery “Zay” Jones has demonstrated not just his love for football, but also his exceptional skillset, carving a successful path for himself in the field of professional football. Undeniably, he remains one of the most remarkable players to look forward to on the field.