Pitt defensive end Patrick Jones II was named a preseason All-ACC selection on Friday, continuing an offseason chocked full of praise.
Jones, a redshirt senior, had a breakout season in 2019 in his first year as a full-time starter. He was named to the second-team All-ACC and was an All-American honorable mention after garnering 43 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 13 games.
A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, Jones came to Pitt as a three-star prospect in 2016 and redshirted as a true freshman, but began to show promise as a redshirt sophomore in 2018, when he was Pitt’s top reserve defensive end and had 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble in minimal playing time.
With a season-long injury to Rashad Weaver, Jones spent 2019 as Pitt’s top outside linemen and anchored a defense that tied for the NCAA lead with 51 sacks.
Jones has been named a preseason All-American by Phil Steele and is on the watch list for the Lott Trophy, given to the defensive player that shows the best on-and off-field performance and the Wuerffel Trophy for community service.
Jones is joined on the All-ACC list by Pitt safety Paris Ford and center Jimmy Morrissey.
