Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1992
- Class:
- 1973
A record-setter on the gridiron, Wayne Jones starred at Mississippi State from 1971 to 1973. During his three seasons with the Bulldogs, Jones had 396 carries for 1,865 yards, 13 catches for 114 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.
A high school standout, the running back from Kosciusko was recruited by SEC Coach of the Year Charles Shira. In his first two seasons, Jones struggled to find yards but all of that changed with the 1973 season. Under the guidance of Bob Tyler, Jones had one of the most remarkable breakthrough seasons in Mississippi State history.
In 1973, Jones put on a show in a week two match up versus Vanderbilt. He ran for 117 yards and three touchdowns to lead State to a 52-21 victory over the Commodores. This was the largest victory margin in SEC play in over 20 years. Jones continued to gain momentum as the season progressed, rushing for 132 yards the next week as the Bulldogs earned another SEC victory over Florida.
Though the 1973 season ended with a four-game losing streak, Jones' performances never faltered. In one of the greatest seasons by a MSU running back in history, Jones set six schools records with 212 rushes for 1,193 yards. He became the first running back in Mississippi State history to gain 1,000 yards in a single season.
Jones was named first team All-SEC, earned a spot in the Senior Bowl and received an All-American honorable mention following the 1973 season. Along with these accolades, Jones’ single season record remained untouched for over 30 years.
Following his standard-setting season, Jones was drafted in the fifth round by the New York Jets. He spent one year in the NFL before being drafted into the WFL in the fourth round. He spent a year with the Jacksonville Sharks before trading his cleats in for a whistle.
Jones coached on various levels and played a key part in multiple state championship programs. Over the years, his love for Starkville and Bulldog athletics has continued. He was a trendsetter for the future, and his legacy is reflective of the dedication to excellence that defines Mississippi State football.
