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South grad Jones gets tryout with Super Bowl champion Saints

South High School graduate Aaron Jones, an offensive lineman at Holy Cross, plays in a game for the Crusaders last season. Jones has been given a tryout with the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints this weekend at their rookie mini-camp.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 7:29 PM Wednesday, May 5, 2010

On the weekend of the 2010 National Football League Draft, Aaron Jones was hoping to hear something, anything from one of the 32 teams.

As his phone stayed silent, the 6-foot-4, 360-pound offensive lineman from Holy Cross thought his chance at the NFL was over.

“I didn’t hear from anybody at all,” Jones said. “I was pretty disappointed. I was bummed. I thought it was over. I just wanted a shot.”

Two weeks later, Jones will finally got that shot — with the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

Jones, a 2006 South High School grad, has been invited for a tryout at the Saints rookie mini-camp this weekend.

He’ll report to camp Thursday, May 6, at their training facility in Metairie, La.

“I’m just really excited to get an opportunity,” Jones said. “I’m hoping I can make the best of it.”

Jones was a two-time All-Patriot League selection, earning second team honors in 2009 and first team honors in 2008. The Crusaders led the Patriot League in scoring (34.4 points per game), total offense (455.4 yards per game) and passing offense (348.9 yards per game). They allowed just 16 sacks the entire 2009 season.

He attended both the University of Massachusetts and Boston College Pro Days earlier this year.

“Both of the programs had some big offensive line prospects,” Jones siad. “I believed that I was just as good as those guys and that I could compete with them. The scouts said I looked good running around, pretty fast, quick on my feet.”

The Saints drafted Boston College center Matt Tennant in the fifth round. Tennant impressed the New Orleans braintrust at the same Pro Day that Jones attended.

He said he was in shock when the Saints called him for a tryout, especially this late after the draft. Most NFL teams have already had their rookie mini-camp.

“I’m excited and ready to go make the best of it and see what happens,” Jones said.

Jones said getting a tryout with the defending Super Bowl champs made it worth the wait.

“It’s so sweet,” Jones said. “I’ve talked to their coaches a lot. They’re a real cool coaching staff. The scouts are real good guys. I’m excited.”

On May 28, Jones will graduate from Holy Cross as a history major.

“I’ve got a good education to fall back on,” Jones said. “I want to give the NFL a good try for a little while. In the end, I’ve always got (my degree).”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.

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