RJ Jones III
Freshman defensive back on Illinois's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
6′0″ · 175 lb · Fort Pierce, FL · Vero Beach
Recruiting
CB recruit
No. 1277 nationally · Signed with Illinois
No college snaps yet.
His full recruiting profileThe story
1 defensive back on Illinois's roster. No game stats recorded yet.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Illinois in 2025.
RJ Jones III
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
His career
2025
- Signed with Illinois3-star out of Vero Beach
Career arc
Splits & context
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
A three-star recruit at defensive back for Illinois -- now graded to hold down a real role in the defensive backfield.
He hasn't recorded a college stat yet. Here's what we know about him.
Grades highest in speed and zone coverage.
Illinois has produced 5 All-Conference defensive backs and 1 All-Americans. 8 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2013. Devon Witherspoon was one of them, an All-American.
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Illinois
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive back · Illinois
Returning around him
- 3 Illinois players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -7 net (20 in / 27 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Illinois · Last season: 9-4 (AP #23) · Talent rank #51 · 2026 recruiting class #24
Background
2025 - Illinois Played in two games, primarily on special teams, and redshirted High School Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals Position ranks: #69 (On3), #102 (247Sports), #134 (ESPN) State of Florida ranks: #66 (On3), #145 (247Sports), #167 (ESPN) Played for head coach Lenny...
The secondary · Illinois
- #7Matthew Bailey76 tackles · 2025
- #22Deuce Fillmore39 tackles · 2025
- #16Tanner Heckel36 tackles · 2025
- #6Jaheim Clarke30 tackles · 2025
- #2RJ Jones IIIno box-score line yet
16 more on the roster · Illinois team page