Before Marcus Jones was taking it to the house at Gillette Stadium, he was using his razor-sharp skills to cut through defenders at the Coogs' House.

Who could forget the moment in 2021 that rocked TDECU stadium?

With less than a minute to go, game tied at 37, Jones took it the distance and helped UH knock off undefeated SMU.

It was a night that cemented Jones as an all-time Cougar great - one he won't ever forget.

"All I did was follow my blockers, and I see a kicker, and I was just like, 'I can't get tackled by the kicker.' So I kept running. And then, whenever I got near the end zone, man, I was just excited because I knew the hard work and the dedication when it came down to that game," Jones said.

And that dedication to his craft started long before he touched-down at TDECU stadium in 2019.

Jones transferred from Troy University in 2019 because he felt the path to the NFL started on Cullen Boulevard.

"Whenever we were out there at practice, like it was really, like, no days off, and you got to be able to take advantage of every opportunity you get."

But those opportunities didn't come as fast as Jones' moves on the field. Due to NCAA rules, he had to sit out for a year.

In 2020, the Coogs had a shortened season because of the pandemic.

He didn't let the uncontrollable sideline his NFL dreams, and he took every moment to master the cornerback position, like covering his former UH teammate and current Texans wide-receiver Tank Dell.

"Me and Tank, we always used to go at it at practice and everything. He'll make a play. I'll make a play. So us going back and forth and everything was really good."

With his first full season at U of H, Jones shined in 2021 with five interceptions and led the NCAA with two punt return touchdowns, getting the attention of NFL scouts.

In 2022, Jones finally got the call so many collegiate athletes work for.

He was drafted in the third round by the Patriots

"I'd seen the Boston, Massachusetts. And I was just like, bro, I'm having to bring a jacket, for sure, because for sure, because it's going to be cold out there. So no, it was unbelievable experience."

Just like the distance from Houston to Foxborough, the journey to the NFL was a long one. But he's grateful to have set foot in TDECU stadium on the way.

"Like, I don't know how my life would have been if I hadn't gone to, UH. So, you know, my main thing is, I'm definitely thankful for them. It's always 'Go Coogs' for me."

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