Linebacker Deion “Debo” Jones ’12 Signs with the New Orleans Saints
Former Blue Jay standout, LSU captain, and Pro Bowl linebacker Deion “Debo” Jones ’12 is returning home to New Orleans, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Saints.
Deion “Debo” Jones ’12, who starred at linebacker for the Blue Jays before building an accomplished career at LSU and in the NFL, has agreed to join the New Orleans Saints on a one-year deal. The move brings the New Orleans native home and gives the longtime local standout his first opportunity to wear the black and gold.
A three-year starter at Jesuit, Jones capped his Blue Jay career with a remarkable senior season in 2011. He recorded 179 tackles, eight sacks, five forced fumbles, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries, helping lead the Jays to a 12-1 record and a berth in the LHSAA Class 5A state quarterfinals. His performance earned him LSWA Class 5A Outstanding Defensive Player and first-team All-State honors, as well as Catholic League Defensive Player of the Year and The Times-Picayune Metro Defensive Player of the Year recognition. Jones also played basketball during his senior year, an early display of the athleticism that would become a hallmark of his football career.
That combination of speed, instincts, and tackling ability carried Jones to LSU, where he developed from a standout special teams contributor into one of the Tigers’ defensive leaders. As a senior in 2015, he led LSU with 100 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss while adding five sacks and two interceptions. Jones was named a finalist for the Butkus Award, selected as a permanent team captain, and shared LSU Defensive MVP honors with Jamal Adams. He finished his college career with 165 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 51 games.
The Atlanta Falcons selected Jones in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 52nd overall pick. He made an immediate impact, leading Atlanta in tackles as a rookie and helping the Falcons reach Super Bowl LI. Jones earned a Pro Bowl selection the following season and went on to become one of the league’s most productive and versatile linebackers during his time in Atlanta.
After six seasons with the Falcons, Jones continued his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He now comes to New Orleans with more than 750 career tackles and 13 interceptions, five of which he returned for touchdowns. His signing with the Saints also means he has now been a member of all four NFC South teams.
For Jones, however, this stop carries a different significance. Fourteen years after graduating from Carrollton & Banks, Debo is returning to the city where his football career began.
And this time, the Blue Jay will be wearing black and gold.
