Jones and DeVore Compete in All-Star Games

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.  --  Two members of the Defiance College football team competed in All-Star games over the weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla.  Senior Kenny Jones (Toledo/Bowsher) represented Defiance in the FCS National Bowl and fellow senior Matt DeVore (Van Buren) competed in the National Bowl.  [FCS Bowl Stats] [National Bowl Stats]

The National Bowl and FCS National Bowl all-star weekend for Non-FBS schools has been the only games of its kind to attract numerous NFL & CFL scouts.  Players travel to the National Bowl weekend from as far as Texas, Arkansas, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Utah, South Dakota and more. The FCS National Bowl and National Bowl Game are presented by East Preps LLC and founded by its owner Michael Quartey Esq., also a Professor of Sports Law at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA.

Jones competed as one of six NCAA Division III athletes to earn a spot in the FCS Bowl and was the only D-III representative on his team.  He finished the game with two solo tackles.  

Jones was a first-team All-HCAC award winner in 2016 and became a two-time All-Conference honoree after earning second-team accolades as a junior.  This fall, he recorded 32 tackles (29 solo and three assists) and led the team, and the HCAC, in interceptions with a career-high six and blocked kicks with three.  He also led the team in pass breakups (six).  In addition, Jones also added one tackle for loss.  Jones ended his career with 119 tackles (98 solo and 21 assists), 14 interceptions, four fumble recoveries, five blocked kicks, a sack and scored five touchdowns defensively.

DeVore finished with three tackles (all solo) in the National Bowl and one of his tackles was for a loss of three yards.  

DeVore became a two-time All-Conference award winner with his second-team accolade for the second straight season in 2016.  He ended his senior campaign with career-highs in tackles (59), tackles for loss (10) and sacks (6.5).  His 59 tackles (35 solo and 24 assists) were fifth most on the team and had a career-best 10 tackles against Rose-Hulman. In addition, DeVore had one fumble recovery.  DeVore ended his career with 144 total tackles (77 solo and 67 assists) with 24 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.  He recorded one interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and scored one career touchdown.