Syracuse football’s Mikel Jones named ACC linebacker of the week

Syracuse football vs Rutgers University

Syracuse Orange linebacker Mikel Jones (3) before the start of the game between Syracuse Rutgers game played at the Carrier Dome , Sept. 11, 2021. Dennis Net t | dnett@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football junior Mikel Jones has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s linebacker of the week after his performance against Rutgers.

Jones, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker, finished with a team-high 11 tackles and a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss in a 17-7 loss to the Scarlet Knights.

Syracuse totaled 13 tackles for loss on Saturday, the fourth-highest single game total across the country this season and the most against a Power Five opponent. The Orange limited Rutgers to only 195 yards of total offense, 57 rushing yards and 3-of-13 third down conversions.

Jones is one of Syracuse’s primary defensive anchors, ranking ninth in the NCAA with 11 tackles per game.

Last season, Jones was an honorable mention on the All-ACC defensive team. He tied for No. 1 in the ACC with four interceptions and was involved in eight different takeaways, the most of any defensive player nationally in 2020.

He is on the preseason watchlist for the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker.

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