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Braeden Jones
#44

Braeden Jones

DT · Freshman

6'4" · 270 lbs · Defense

Also wearing #44: Manoah Leiato (TE)

Background

Hometown
Chicago, Ill.
High school
Mount Carmel HS

Recruiting

Rating
4-star (0.8945 247 composite)
National rank
#426
Class
2026
Source
247 composite

2026 season

No 2026 stats recorded yet.

Season by season

2026tap to read

Jones, who enrolled at USC in the spring of 2026 after graduating a semester early from high school, looks to compete for playing time on the defensive line as a true freshman in 2026. HIGH SCHOOL: Jones, a four-star recruit, was rated as the No. 8 player in the state of Illinois by Rivals, No. 10 by ESPN and No. 17 by 247Sports. He was touted as the No. 26 defensive lineman in the country by Rivals, No. 53 by ESPN and No. 63 by 247Sports. As a senior in 2025, he tallied 85 tackles, including 15 for loss with 9.5 sacks and 6 PBUs. Prior to the season, he was named to

2025tap to read

. As a junior in 2024, he recorded 75 tackles, including 12 for loss with 7.5 sacks, 5 PBUs and 1 forced fumble. He earned placement on the

2024tap to read

. Prior to the season, he was named to the

2023tap to read

.

Official bio

Read full bio

2026: Jones, who enrolled at USC in the spring of 2026 after graduating a semester early from high school, looks to compete for playing time on the defensive line as a true freshman in 2026.

HIGH SCHOOL: Jones, a four-star recruit, was rated as the No. 8 player in the state of Illinois by Rivals, No. 10 by ESPN and No. 17 by 247Sports. He was touted as the No. 26 defensive lineman in the country by Rivals, No. 53 by ESPN and No. 63 by 247Sports.

As a senior in 2025, he tallied 85 tackles, including 15 for loss with 9.5 sacks and 6 PBUs. Prior to the season, he was named to

the 2025 Preseason All-Great Lakes Region First Team: .

As a junior in 2024, he recorded 75 tackles, including 12 for loss with 7.5 sacks, 5 PBUs and 1 forced fumble. He earned placement on the

2024 CCL/ESCC All-Conference Team: . He was named

Mount Carmel’s 2024 Outstanding Defensive Lineman: and the

MaxPreps 2024 Defensive Lineman of the Year in the East Suburban Catholic Conference: . Prior to the season, he was named to the

2024 Preseason All-Great Lakes Region First Team: .

As a sophomore, he was named to the

2023-24 PrepRedZone Illinois Underclassmen All-State Team: .

Official bio on usctrojans.com