Urban Meyer makes passionate case for Cardale Jones' legacy

Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer made a passionate case for Cardale Jones to be honored at the university for his historic run to a national title.

Jones filled in for JT Barrett in 2014 late in the year after the latter suffered a season ending injury. Barrett initially replaced Braxton Miller earlier that year after Miller’s season ending injury.

Meyer summed up why Jones should be honored on Urban’s Take with Tim May.

“You go down in history books, Cardale Jones should be in every history book,” Meyer said. “It’s the greatest three-game run, arguably, in Ohio State, maybe in college football history. When you think about what happened, two Heisman candidates and Heisman Trophy winner (go down with injuries), and that guy goes in his first start and wins three games.

“All three of them were underdogs, 59-0 (over Wisconsin), beats Alabama, beats (Oregon). So I’m very biased. I always have been, but Cardale Jones, there should be something around that university for what he did to step up and play the way he did.” 

In total, Jones had 860 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions and a 60.9% completion percentage. He added 296 rushing yards and a touchdown.

He was later drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 draft by the Buffalo Bills. He didn’t last long in the NFL, before playing for the XFL’s D.C. Defenders in 2020.

But, Jones will play for the Indoor Football League’s Massachusetts Pirates in 2023.

The team’s co-owner, president and general manager Jawad Yatim commented on the signing back in December.

“Cardale is a winner,” Yatim said. “He has the ability to create and improvise, obviously has a live arm and has competed at the highest levels of football. We’re excited to insert his skill set and abilities within our organization. We want a locker room full of enthusiasm this year and my conversations with Cardale have only reflected that sentiment. We’re really glad to have him.”

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This isn’t the first time Jones has attempted a comeback in the last calendar year. Ironically, he was signed to the CFL’s Edmonton Elks to replace quarterback Barrett – just as he did seven years before at Ohio State. That didn’t come to fruition, however, as Jones was released by the team two weeks later and did not play a single down.