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Taiwan Jones is seen here on a long run in Eastern's playoff game against North Dakota State, Dec. 11. Turns out it was his last game as an Eagle.
Eagles' star projected as second or third round pick in April
FROM STAFF AND NEWS SERVICE REPORTS
The opening in Eastern Washington's backfield was thought to be temporary when Taiwan Jones broke his foot in an FCS quarter final playoff game against North Dakota on Dec. 11.
However, as of last Friday, Jones has carried his last ball, broken his last tackle and made his last big electrifying run for the Eagles with the announcement the junior All-America running back has officially declared for the 2011 National Football League Draft. The deadline for draft-eligible collegiate underclassmen to declare for the April 28-30 draft was Saturday, Jan. 15.
Jones, out of town at the time the news broke, intends to return for tomorrow's celebration at Reese Court at 6 p.m. honoring Eastern for winning the NCAA Division I Championship.
“It's hard leaving my guys who I call my family – my teammates – because that's what they are to me,” Jones said. “It's kind of bittersweet. It's hard to depart, but at the same time I'm stepping into a job I love.”
Jones' coach Beau Baldwin offered nothing but best wishes and thanks for a player who played a huge part in Eastern's run-up to the title they won by defeating Delaware 20-19 two weeks ago in Frisco, Texas.
“We want Taiwan to do what is best for him, his family and his situation,” Baldwin said. “We wish nothing but the very best for him.”
Jones is being represented by Seattle-based sports attorney Cameron Foster, president of Foster & Easley Sports Management Group. Foster has represented former EWU players Michael Roos, a second-round draft choice by Tennessee in 2005, and Tom Ackerman, a fifth-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1995.
“We are excited to be working with Taiwan,” Foster said. “He is one of those special players that come along just every once in awhile.”
Jones said he submitted information to the NFL Draft Advisory Committee by a Dec. 15 deadline in order to get a projection of where he might be drafted. The response he received was second or third round, and that helped in his decision to declare for the draft by the Jan. 15 deadline. But it wasn't the only response that mattered.
“Even with the positive response I received, my decision was still hard for me to make,” Jones said. “My biggest concern was that I felt like I was letting my teammates down by leaving early. But they gave me a lot of support in making this decision and I appreciate that.”
Although unable to play in EWU's last 2 1/2 games of the season because of a foot injury, Jones led the team to a 13-2 record and the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title. He rushed for 1,742 yards and 14 touchdowns in 12 games in 2010, and averaged 7.9 yards per carry in his 24-game career as a running back.
“I felt like I made the best decision as far as being able to help my family and do something I've always dreamed of,” Jones said. “I get to do something that I love.”
Jones, who ranked second in the FCS in both rushing yards (145.2 per game) and all-purpose yards (201.8), suffered a fracture to the base of the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot in the Eagles' 38-31 overtime victory over North Dakota State Dec. 11. He still finished with a career-high 230 yards rushing in that game, including 203 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Wanting to lead the Eagles back to Frisco next year made his NFL decision that much more difficult. “When I was at the national championship (game), that was something I dreamed of as well,” Jones said. “It was a hard decision to make because I wanted to play on a stage like that.”
Depending on the progress of his injury, Jones hopes to participate in the NFL Combine in late February, as well as his “pro day” in March.
Jones is believed to be the first Eastern player to declare himself eligible for the NFL Draft before exhausting his college eligibility. In 2007, current Detroit Piston Rodney Stuckey left Eastern following his junior season on the EWU basketball team and was a first-round draft choice and the 15th pick overall.
“Our disappointment is that we don't get him for another year,” Baldwin said. “We absolutely respect his decision and will be pulling for him to make it at the next level.”
“On behalf of our program and our coaching staff, we thank him immensely for what he's done for our program and university,” Baldwin said. “Not only is he an amazing player, but he's a great person and teammate.”
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