:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68573688/usa_today_15050750.0.jpg)
Pitt defensive end Patrick Jones II earned a spot on the 2020 CBS Sports All-America second team on Wednesday. It was the first honor of its kind for Jones, who was looked over by Pro Football Focus and ESPN for All-America honors earlier this week.
This season, Jones was tasked with building on a breakout 2019 campaign in which he paired well with Jaylen Twyman and recorded 8.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for losses in 13 games. And with Twyman gone in 2020, Jones proved equal to the challenge, as he formed a new one-two punch with Rashad Weaver and reached new heights. When all was said and done, he had set new career highs, with nine sacks and 13 tackles for losses in 11 games.
Jones’ sack total currently ranks third in the nation, and it was the highest total posted in the ACC in 2020. And with Weaver manning the other edge of the Pitt defensive line, the duo racked up 16.5 sacks and 27.5 TFLs during a shortened season, becoming one of the best defensive end pairings in the country.
CBS sees the 6’5”, 260-pound edge rusher as Pitt’s top draft-eligible prospect, as it currently ranks him No. 31 overall and No. 2 at his position. And ESPN concurs, ranking him No. 47 overall and No. 5 among defensive ends. Jones has also been named as a potential first-round pick in mock drafts from the likes of 247Sports, CBS, NJ.com and the Spun.
Oddly, Jones’ pass-rush partner Weaver did not make CBS’ top 150 recruits or top nine edge rushers, and he was ranked behind Jones by ESPN’s draft analysts at No. 78 overall and No. 8 at his position. However, he was named a first-team All-American by both CBS and ESPN, while Jones earned second-team honors from CBS and was snubbed by ESPN in favor of Coastal Carolina edge rusher Tarron Jackson.
With that said, the two both earned first-team All-ACC honors on Tuesday, as they were undeniably the top pass-rushing duo in the conference, and both Pitt products will play in the Senior Bowl in January. And down in Mobile, Alabama, both Panthers will have an opportunity to boost their draft stock.