Perhaps the most decorated high school athlete to ever play at Jena High School finally made his decision on which college he will attend to continue his athletic career at the next level.

Zerrick Jones, the standout running back for the Jena Giants, will begin his college athletic career at Texas College in Tyler, Texas this summer, as part of the Texas Steers football and baseball programs.

Texas College is a junior college located about 100 miles east of Dallas and 90 miles west of Shreveport.

“This is a special day for Zerrick and his family,” JHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jay Roark said at the signing event that took place Thursday, April 25, at the JHS Fieldhouse. “This is a day we’ve all been anxiously waiting on. After a visit a couple of weeks ago, Zerrick finally found a place he wants to go and at Texas College he will have the opportunity to play football and baseball.”

Roark noted that Jones is the most decorated football players in the history of the program, winning the district most valuable player three years in a row, Cenla MVP, Warrick Dunn Cenla Region MVP, the first player from JHS to be invited to play in the I20 Bowl and a member of the Grid Iron Bowl along with being named to the All-State Football Team.

“It’s exciting for me to have these young guys see Zerrick go and play at the next level and anytime we have one of these signing days, its reassurance to our kids that if they work hard and do things the right way, they will have an opportunity if they have the talent,” the head coach said. “Zerrick certainly has all that. He worked really hard this year to improve his academics and every practice and every game he was the hardest working guy out there.”

Roark noted that just because Jones is not going to a major Division I school straight out of high school is not necessarily a knock on his abilities.

“It think its important to point out, because a lot of people don’t understand how JUCO ball works, junior college is not a bush league for okay athletes,” he said. “It is a place that’s filled with Division I talent but just had to go a different route. Once you go there and take care of business, like I know Zerrick will as hard as he works, when he graduates he can transfer and go play in any program in the country.”

Roark noted that many great and successful athletes began their careers at the JUCO level. Among those include former Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton, who began at the JUCO level before transferring to Auburn and leading the football team to a national championship.

Recently, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett also was successful at a junior college before transferring to Georgia and led his team to two national championships in 2021 and 2022.

“JUCO is where you go, get qualified and move on to the next level,” the coach said. “And with Zerrick’s work ethic, there is no doubt that he will achieve that. I’m very proud of him.”

Along with playing football at Texas College, Jones will also play baseball, his second love.

JHS Head Baseball Coach Clay McGuffee noted that while his talents on the football field have receive the most attention, he is just as electric on the baseball diamond.

“I’ve had the honor of coaching Zerrick for three years and he is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever coached,” he said. “You never question what he’s going to give you when he shows up and I have no doubt he will excel at Texas College. I’m ecstatic about the fact that he has the opportunity to play both sports.”

McGuffee said that Jones’ speed is what makes him so dangerous on the base paths.

“This year, Zerrick has over 50 stolen bases – which is almost unheard of,” he said. “If you walk him, hit him, whatever, if he gets on base he turns it into a double, then a triple and the next thing you know he’s standing over there with me on third base ready to score.”

Jones, who is not known for speaking, did manage to share briefly with the crowd at his signing event.

“I want to thank everybody for the journey for all four years,” he said. “I want to thank God and thank these coaches for all the love and support you have shown.”