UH Star Marcus Jones To Miss Birmingham Bowl

HOUSTON, TX — The University of Houston will be missing a key piece in its Birmingham Bowl matchup against Auburn.

UH cornerback Marcus Jones announced his decision to skip the bowl game in an Instagram post Monday. Jones will focus on preparing for the 2022 NFL Draft, where he is expected to be an early-round pick.

"I want to thank God for the opportunity to play football and further my education at both Troy University and the University of Houston," Jones said in the post. "I will truly cherish the memories I've made as both a student and an athlete for all my life. I am forever grateful to my teammates, professors, friends, the student body and everyone I have met along the way."

Jones is the 80th-ranked player overall and 12th-ranked cornerback in ESPN analyst Todd McShay's draft rankings. The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranks Jones as the 10th-best cornerback in the draft pool.

A dynamic player as both a returner and defensive player, Jones was a first-team selection at defensive back on the 2021 AP All-America team and made the first team as a return specialist on the 2020 Football Writers Association of America All-America team.

Jones had five interceptions and 12 pass breakups in the 2021 season and added five total touchdowns. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and averaged 38 yards on 11 kickoff returns, which would have been the best in the country if he had enough returns to qualify. He averaged 14.4 yards per punt return, fourth in the country, and returned two punts for touchdowns. Offensively, he added 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

In 2020, he averaged a school-record 19.8 yards on 17 punt returns, taking one for a touchdown.

A trio of Auburn seniors in All-American cornerback Roger McCreary, linebacker Zakoby McClain and offensive lineman Brodarious Hamm already opted out of the bowl game, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

Auburn starting quarterback Bo Nix missed the Tigers' final two regular-season games with an ankle injury and announced his intent to transfer to Oregon on Sunday.

The Birmingham Bowl kicks off at 11 a.m. Dec. 28 on ESPN.