RJ Jones III
RJ Jones III is a three-star recruit from Fort Pierce, FL, out of Vero Beach (No. 1,277 in the 2025 class) who has not played in Illinois's 8 games this season.
Where Jones comes from
- Fort Pierce, FL
- Vero Beach
- Vero Beach is about 950 miles from Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL)
- Three-star, No. 1,277 in the 2025 class.
- On the Illinois roster since 2025
Where Jones fits
Illinois lists 20 defensive backs this season.
Illinois defensive backs with a game this season
Illinois is 5-3. Next: vs Nebraska, Fri Nov 6.
Similar players
Same class and position
From Vero Beach
Also from Fort Pierce, FL
Where to follow
Splits
Home and road splits, scheme and staff
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Pass share
49.5%
243 pass / 248 run
Plays / game
61.4
8 games
Team sack rate
3.7%
271 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Balanced, slow tempo.
Awards
A three-star recruit at defensive back for Illinois -- now graded to hold down a real role in the defensive backfield.
No college stat recorded yet. Here's what we know.
Grades highest in speed and zone coverage.
Illinois has produced 6 All-Conference defensive backs and 1 All-American. 8 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2013. Devon Witherspoon was one of them, an All-American.
Two seasons at Illinois
- 2026 Illinois BielemaYear 2 · Games –
- 2025 Illinois BielemaYear 1 · Games –
- High school Vero BeachVero Beach, FL · Class of 2025Three-star, No. 1,277 in the 2025 class. Signed with Illinois.Also from Vero Beach: Tarvos Alford (Ohio State), Champ Smith (Illinois), EJ White (Florida State) and 6 more.
2025
- Signed with IllinoisThree-star, out of Vero Beach