Malik Jones looks to bounce back for Maryland football in 2016

Maryland football starts its season in 56 days. Until then, we’re profiling each and every player on the roster.

Malik Jones, defensive lineman

Height: 6’4

Weight: 275 pounds

Year: Redshirt junior

High School: Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Baltimore)

How Jones got to College Park

Jones was a three-star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, and led Dunbar to three class 1A state titles and was named second team All-Metro by the Baltimore Sun his senior year. He was lightly recruited coming out of high school, as he only received offers from three schools. He committed to Maryland on June 27, 2012.

Jones redshirted in 2013, and appeared in the season opener against James Madison in 2014. After a strong spring in 2015, he was projected to see an increased role but suffered a season ending ankle injury in August.

Career highlight

Jones made his Maryland debut in the team’s 2014 season opener against James Madison.

2016 prospectus

There are a lot of players battling for playing time on Maryland’s defensive line right now, but it’s tough to see where Jones fits in because he didn’t see reps this spring. Jones certainly took a big step forward last spring, and if he can show the same skills to the new coaching staff he should definitely be in the mix.

What a dream season would look like

Jones has a healthy training camp and impresses the coaching staff. He gets the role he was projected to get last season and becomes an important player on Maryland’s defensive line.

Up next in the series...

Our next subject went to a high school that shares its name with one of Maryland’s residence halls.

Standings

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