Jacquez Jones Named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week

Senior honored for his defensive efforts in Kentucky’s upset of No. 10/9 Florida

LEXINGTON, Ky. – October 3, 2021

Senior linebacker Jacquez Jones has been named the Football Bowl Subdivision National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and presented by Generation UCAN, it was announced Sunday.

Jones, a 6-foot-0, 235-pound inside linebacker from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was crucial in Kentucky’s 20-13 upset of No. 10/9 Florida on Saturday. Jones had nine tackles in the game, including one for loss, a quarterback hurry, and the game-saving pass breakup on Florida’s final play. It marked the Wildcats’ first win over the Gators in Kroger Field since 1986.

Overall, Jones is second on the team in tackles (33) and pass breakups (4) and has been a key cog in Kentucky’s steely defensive unit.  He has made three huge pass defense plays this season.  In addition to last night’s pass breakup, he had an interception in UK’s 35-28 win over Missouri and a touchdown-saving breakup in the 28-23 win over Chattanooga. The Wildcats are 5-0 for just the fourth time in the last 70 years (also 1984, 2007, 2018) and 3-0 in conference play for the fifth time in school history (also 1949, 1950, 1977, 2018).

Jones is the second player since 2004 to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors, joining former Wildcat defensive end/linebacker Josh Allen (Nov. 4, 2018).

This is the 18th year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national FBS player of the week during the regular season. Recipients are selected by a panel of national media members and administered by the Foundation.

Kentucky returns to Kroger Field Saturday, Oct. 9 when it plays host to LSU. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on SEC Network and the UK Sports Radio Network. Extremely limited ticket availability remains and student tickets are sold out.