Warner Robins receiver hopes to end his record-breaking career with state title win
As a ninth grader, Marcayll Jones lined up at his wide receiver spot across from a Griffin defensive back. The two engaged in a conversation that Jones still recalls vividly as he heads into the final game of his high school career.
“I respect everything he saw in me before I saw it in myself. ... “He said ‘what grade you in?’ and I said I am in ninth grade. He said ‘oh you are going to be a dog.’” Jones said. “At the time I didn’t think nothing of it. I was just a little ninth grader out here playing football.”
Jones, a 5-9, 170-pound Warner Robins senior, has lived up to that. As a junior, he broke the state record for most receiving yards in a season. He received numerous college scholarship offers, including from Memphis where he has committed.
Jones built a dangerous rapport with former Warner Robins quarterback Dylan Fromm and helped lead his team to back-to-back state title appearances.
The records he has shattered at Warner Robins have given him bragging rights over people like 2015 graduate and standout Marquez Callaway, who’s now a wide receiver at Tennessee.
“To have 2,000 yards in one season and put my name over the top was just amazing. That just means I can get a little competition with those guys,” Jones said. “I am pretty humble about. I know Marquez was the guy and he still is the guy.”
New coach, new role
Jones’ role this season has changed under new head coach Marquis Westbrook, who switched to a run-first offense approach to better fit new quarterback Jalen Addie. Teams have also been more focused on stopping him. This has led to fewer touches for Jones, which at first he struggled with.
“I was a little disappointed with my touches being down but you can’t have a great season like I did last year and expect it to be the same next year,” Jones said. “Defensive coordinators are going to scheme. I just had to remove all selfishness from my heart and just let other guys make plays.”
With teams putting multiple guys at him, Westbrook has gotten creative in getting the ball to Jones so he can make an impact. They have used him in wild cat formations, motioned him to take jet sweeps and put him in on special teams as a returner.
“He is a huge part of what we do. For him to be able to play in multiple positions on offense gives us a different dynamic. Not just on the field but off the field,” Westbrook said. “He roots for other players. He is not a glory hog. He is coaching up playing on the sideline. He is doing everything he is supposed to do as a player.”
Marcayll Jones wants to win the state title
Warner Robins went 3-8 Jones’ first year. Since then the team has gone 39-5 and will appear in its third straight state championship on Friday against Buford. This will be Jones final Warner Robins game. Winning a state title has been on his mind since before he ever stepped on the field for the Demons.
“All of my middle school teammates, we used to just say our main goal when we get to high school is to win a championship ring,” Jones said. “If we could live up to that goal you couldn’t ask for a better season.”
Jones’ hope is that his performance on the field and his leadership off the field will inspire the next group of Warner Robins wide receivers to achieve great things. It is part of the legacy he hopes will stay with the school long after he has taken off the uniform for the final time.
“They will see my legacy and can see what are from the same place,” Jones said. “If I can do it then they can do it. It will just motivate our underclassmen.”