In 2012, Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones had a truly special season. Racking up 14.5 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss (NCAA leader), seven forced fumbles and an interception, the UGA junior was named a first-team All-American and finished top 10 in Heisman voting. Before that, in 2011, his first season with the Bulldogs after transferring from USC, he recorded 13.5 sacks, 19.5 TFL, and two forced fumbles. In only two seasons at Georgia, the Columbus, Ga., native solidified himself as one of the best to ever play the position for the “G.”
That two-year stretch for the Dawgs was unlike anything I had ever seen since dedicating my Saturdays to Georgia football. To put it simply, Jones was truly an unstoppable force. A video game character. My favorite UGA win of my life was led by a three-sack, 4.5-TFL and two-forced-fumble performance from No. 29 against the Florida Gators on Oct. 30, 2012.
Tuesday, Jarvis Jones accomplished something maybe even more special than anything he ever did in Athens.
Before he gave me one of the best sports memories of my life, stripping Florida’s Jordan Reed short of the goal line, Jones was at Carver High School in Columbus, Ga.
In 2007, the future UGA great led Carver High School to its first-ever state championship. Almost 20 years later, Jones returned to his alma mater as head coach ahead of the 2025 season. While this was the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame inductee’s first gig as a head coach, he had served on UGA’s staff since 2019. You can’t pick a much better coach to learn how to lead a program from than Kirby Smart. That proved itself quickly.
In his first year coaching the program, Jarvis Jones led the Carver Tigers to a perfect 15-0 record. And, on Tuesday, he completed the magical season with a state championship. The 24-7 victory over Hapeville Charter captured the Georgia Class 2A title.
This is an incredible feat for a first-year coach. And it’s all the more special being for your alma mater.
A congratulatory outpouring has been happening on social media for the DGD in the wake of the accomplishment.
“Go Dogs Nation once again looks like it’s a doggy dog world love it bulldog 4 life 💪💪💪💪 congratulations coach King Humble ATL Jungle and Bulldog Nation stay patient,” one user said in reply to a post on a Georgia fans Facebook page.
Another fan posted, “Congratulations to Jarvis Jones and Carver-Columbus on an undefeated season and a STATE Championship! #DGD #GoDawgs,” on X.
“Congrats to DGD Jarvis Jones and his team at Columbus Carver for winning state again!” another posted.
Jones was a special player and has proved to be a special coach. The future is bright for the Georgia legend and his alma mater.
