After being selected by The Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America as the best punter in the NFL during the 2022 campaign, it’s no surprise that New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones is the punt returner on this season’s All-Rookie team.
The PFWA released its annual All-Rookie selections on Tuesday, and the former Enterprise High School and Troy standout was the only player from an Alabama high school or college to receive recognition.
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Jones led the NFL with 362 punt-return yards and an average of 12.5 yards per return (among players with at least 21 punt returns in 2022). He also had one of the NFL’s three punt-return touchdowns during the 2022 season.
On defense, Jones played 370 snaps in the New England secondary and intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown.
Jones also scored for the Patriots offense. Lining up for 18 snaps at wide receiver, he caught four passes for 78 yards and one touchdown.
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The PFWA selected New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner as the NFL Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson as the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The All-Rookie team included:
· Quarterback: Brock Purdy, 49ers
· Running backs: Tyler Allgeier, Falcons; Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks
· Wide receivers: Chris Olave, Saints; Garrett Wilson, Jets
· Tight end: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans
· Center: Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens
· Guards: Zion Johnson, Chargers; Dylan Parham, Raiders
· Offensive tackles: Braxton Jones, Bears; Tyler Smith, Cowboys
· Defensive linemen: Jordan Davis, Eagles; Aidan Hutchinson, Lions; George Karlaftis, Chiefs; Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants
· Linebackers: Devin Lloyd, Jaguars; Malcolm Rodriguez, Lions; Quay Walker, Packers
· Cornerbacks: Sauce Gardner, Jets; Tariq Woolen, Seahawks
· Safeties: Kyle Hamilton, Ravens; Jalen Pitre, Texans
· Kicker: Cameron Dicker, Chargers
· Punter: Ryan Stonehouse, Titans
· Kickoff returner: Dallis Flowers, Colts
· Punt returner: Marcus Jones, Patriots
· Special-teamer: Brenden Schooler, Patriots
At Enterprise, Jones earned ASWA first-team All-State honors in 2016, when he intercepted five passes, returned three punts, one kickoff and one fumble recovery for touchdowns and also caught a TD pass.
At Houston last season, Jones recorded 47 tackles, intercepted two passes, ran back 15 kickoffs for a 34.0-yard average and two touchdowns, returned 26 punts for a 14.4-yard average and two touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown.
The Associated Press selected Jones as a first-team All-American cornerback, and he received consensus All-American recognition in the all-purpose/return-specialist slot. Jones’ wide-ranging performance earned the 2021 Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player.
Between Enterprise and Houston, Jones played two seasons at Troy. He was the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year in 2017, when he returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
