University of North Carolina Athletics
Jones Goes To Seattle In Third Round
April 29, 2017 | Football
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – University of North Carolina defensive tackle Nazair Jones was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round (102nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft Friday evening.
Jones is the 14th defensive lineman from North Carolina selected in the NFL Draft over the last 15 years. He is the first defensive tackle from UNC selected since Sylvester Williams was Denver's first round pick in 2013.
A native of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., Jones started all 12 games he has played in 2016 and finished the year fourth on the team with 70 tackles, a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups. He was named the Jimmy Rogers, Jr. Most Valuable Lineman Trophy in the Sun Bowl vs. Stanford after recording eight tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack.
Jones, who was named third-team All-ACC in 2015 and 2016, elected to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. He finished his career with 145 tackles and 21 tackles for losses.
While enrolled at UNC, Jones began his own non-profit organization called Made Men Mentoring, a support system for underprivileged young men in North Carolina that pairs them with college student athletes who will mentor and support them in the areas of academics, competitive athletics, and manhood.
