‘He’s just better.’ Improved Independence RB Jayden Jones is Observer’s HS football POTW

A year ago, as a sophomore, Independence High’s Jayden Jones ran for 1,830 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading the Patriots to the N.C. 4A state semifinals.

So far as a junior, Jones — The Charlotte Observer’s high school football player of the week — is on pace to do even more.

“He’s just a lot better,” Independence coach D.J. McFadden said. “He’s bigger and he’s started to catch it out of the backfield more, which hopefully we’ll see this week (when the Patriots host Charlotte Catholic in the Mecklenburg County game of the week).”

Jones has added about 10 pounds from last season, up to 5-foot-9 and 190, and he’s averaging 13.5 yards per carry.

No, you didn’t misread that.

For the season, just four games old, Jones has rushed 61 times for 822 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s in the top 100 in America in rushing yards and fifth in North Carolina.

“It’s something I’m used to doing now,” Jones said. “I just go out and do what I do.”

In last week’s 40-13 win over South Mecklenburg, Jones ran 15 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 14.1 yards per carry in that game and ultimately won player of the week after a vote among Observer readers.

Jones said he’s already received college offers from Charlotte, James Madison, Liberty and Troy. He said he just took a visit to Coastal Carolina and has spoken to coaches at North Carolina.

And he said there’s a simple explanation for his hot start to the 2024 season: Just good ol’ hard work.

“It’s training in the offseason,” he said, “and just watching film and doing what I was coached to do well. I mean, we’re all very determined to get back to where we were last year and go further. We’ve got good guys on defense who do big things. We’ve got a great (offensive) line that blocks well, and we’ve got great receivers and a great QB. Offensively and defensively, we feel we’re the best in the state.”

McFadden, his coach, feels that Jones is one of the best at his position in North Carolina — and said he’s still has a lot of room to grow as a running back.

“His maturity is starting to show,” McFadden said. “I’m looking at him in practice running around and making sure guys are doing what they’re supposed to do, and he’s gotten better at picking his spots. We teach our backs to be physical but also to be smart, to know when enough is enough and to get down. He’s also taking better care of his body.

“I think he’s got a future well beyond high school and he’s actually starting to take heed of that.”

Previous winners

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Week 0: Carson Clutter, Charlotte Latin

Week 1: Sean Brady, Hough High School

Week 2: Fernando Zelaya, Olympic High School

Week 3: Cameron Cyr, Hough High School