Austin Jones (running back)

Austin Jones (born February 7, 2001) is an American football running back for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and USC Trojans.

Early life and high school
Jones was born on February 7, 2001, in Antioch, California. He attended Bishop O'Dowd High School, where he rushed for 1,560 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. Coming out of high school, Jones was rated as a four star recruit, where he decided to commit to play college football for the USC Trojans.

Stanford
In Jones freshman season in 2019, Jones rushed 45 times for 227 yards and a touchdown. During the 2020 season, Jones tallied 126 carries for 550 yards and nine touchdowns as he started all six games for Stanford. In the 2021 season, Jones carried the ball 107 times for 378 yards and two touchdowns. After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Jones decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

During his time at Stanford, Jones ran the ball 278 for 1,155 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also hauling in 67 passes for 531 yards and a touchdown.

USC
Jones decided to transfer to play for the USC Trojans. In Jones first game with USC in week one of the 2022 season, Jones rushed four times for 48 yards and two touchdowns, while also making a catch for 21 yards. In week eleven of the 2022 season, Jones rushed 11 times for 74 yards, while also hauling in four receptions and a touchdown. In week 12, Jones rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while also hauling in four receptions for 57 yards. In the final week of the 2022 regular season, Jones rushed 25 times for 154 yards in a win over Notre Dame. During the 2022 season, Jones rushed 135 times for 705 yards and five touchdowns, while also totaling 25 receptions for 267 yards and a touchdown. In the 2023 season, Jones rushed 85 times for 477 yards and seven touchdowns. After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Jones decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.

Professional career
Jones signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024.