How Jenks 2026 uncommitted RB Kaydin Jones is adjusting after transferring to his new school
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - Kaydin Jones burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2022.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound tailback quickly emerged as one of the top ball carriers in the state after racking up 1,264 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 carries at Broken Arrow.
However, Jones doesn’t see himself as just a running back. The sophomore - now playing at Jenks - wants to be a complete football player that can be used anywhere on the field.
“I think I'm a pretty open player,” Jones said. “I can play anything I'm asked. Just put the ball in my hands and I'll make a play.”
Jones, who transferred to Jenks in the offseason, showed that dynamic Thursday night during the Trojans' 42-14 victory against Norman North. Alongside scoring three rushing touchdowns (including a 31-yard reverse), he came up with an interception on defense. He also was the lead blocker at fullback on Simian Gilkey’s TD run.
“I definitely liked that reverse,” Jones said. “Got out into open space, made a little move and took it to the crib.”
Jones has embraced the fact that opposing teams have to scan the field to find out where he is going to be lined up.
“I can't really be specified at a position right now,” Jones said. “In my eyes, I'm an athlete, so put me on the field anywhere and I'm going to make a play.”
That type of versatility makes Jones a dangerous weapon for the Trojans, who have shown early on they are not afraid to move him around. One play he could be lined up in the backfield, and the next, he could be found flanked out on the perimeter as a wide-out.
Jenks sophomore Kaydin Jones (with ball) goes up against a Norman North defender during the Trojans' win at the Timberwolves on Oct. 5, 2023.
“For our offense, it all starts with being able to run the football and our offensive line did a great job,” Jenks coach Keith Riggs said Thursday. “KD did a great job running the football and that's going to open up your passing game, and we got some really good looks (Thursday).”
Yet, since Jones - who is the son of former Jenks and Oklahoma Sooner running back standout Kejuan Jones - is only five games into his time at Jenks, Riggs is expecting even more from Kaydin Jones as the season progresses.
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“It's easy to forget he's a sophomore. He hasn't been with us for very long, so he's still kind of learning all the nuances of our offense,” Riggs said. “But you see improvement every week as he gets more comfortable in what we're doing and we're able to expand his role.
"You saw him get out as a receiver and catch the ball some. He has great hands. He can do a lot of different things, and so we'll continue to try to take advantage of his skills.”
Jones knows the more he can do, the more colleges will take notice of him. He has already picked up offers from Oklahoma State, Colorado and Tulsa.
But right now, Jones is focused on getting the Trojans back on track. At 3-3, Jenks is still trying to figure out what type of team they are going to be.
“I would say my season is good, but I'd rather have team success over self-success,” Jones said. “So (everything is good) as long as we're winning and there isn’t any self-success.”
-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK
