Skyler Jones - Defensive Analyst - Football Support Staff

Skyler Jones

Title:
Defensive Analyst
Email:
skylerj@usc.edu

Skyler Jones, a defensive analyst, enters his second season at USC.

In 2024, the Trojan defense significantly improved. USC held opponents to an average of just 24.1 points per game, improving from 34.4 in 2023. The Trojans finished the 2024 season ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.335), compared to ranking No. 106 (0.436) in 2023. USC’s defense improved in a variety of other statistical categories including ranking No. 33 in passes intercepted (12) and No. 53 in rushing defense (141.2) in 2024. The Trojan defense ranked No. 58 in turnovers gained by collecting 18 throughout the season and ranked No. 69 in red zone defense (0.830) in 2024. USC finished ranked No. 70 in team passing efficiency defense (132.50), improved to No. 77 in total defense (377.1) and was No. 86 in the nation in first downs defense (262) in 2024.

Jones spent the 2023 season as a defensive analyst for the Oregon Ducks, after spending three years at Southern University as a defensive line coach.

In 2022, Jones worked with Eric Henderson as the assistant defensive line coach for the Los Angeles Rams. That season, the Rams rush defense, ranked among the best in the NFL, defensive line helped the Rams finish third in fewest missed tackles on rush plays (51), eighth in percentage of opponent rushes that resulted in first downs (23.3%), ninth in defensive total rush EPA (42.97), ninth in opponent rushes for touchdowns (37.92), tied for 10th in total rushing touchdowns allowed (12) and finished 12th in total rushing first downs allowed (106). According to PFF, the Rams defense concluded the season with the highest grade against the rush (87.0) and only allowed two players to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark on the season. The Rams were 1 of 4 teams to enter Week 17 without allowing a 100- yard rusher due to strong performances on the defensive line. The Rams defense also finished 13th in total rush yards allowed (1,956), opponent rush yards per game (115.1) and successful play rate on defensive rushes (61.5%).

In 2021, Jones was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for Norfolk State.

From 2018-21, Jones was the defensive line coach at Southern University. Under the leadership of Jones, defensive end Jordan Lewis was a three-time All-SWAC honoree and was twice named an FCS All-American. During the spring 2021 season, he was named both the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and the winner of the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the country, after leading the FCS in sacks and tackles for loss. Lewis also led the SWAC in sacks in 2018. Two other Jaguars earned All-SWAC honors under Jones’ tutelage, Joe Davis in 2018 and Jalen Ivy in 2021.

Prior to being elevated to full-time assistant coach, Jones served three years as a graduate assistant coach at Southern from 2015-17 working with the defensive line.

Jones was a defensive end at Bethany College (Kan.) from 2010-13, where he earned all-conference honors and was a team captain. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2014 and his Master’s in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement from Southern in 2018.