ATHENS — Cash Jones had no idea what to do with his hands. The redshirt sophomore had just scored a critical touchdown in Georgia’s game against South Carolina, as his 13-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pushed Georgia’s lead to 24-14.
So Jones, whose first name is short for his mother’s maiden name Cashion, thought quickly and decided to imitate a similarly undersized Texas football player as he rubbed his fingers together to celebrate.
“Johnny Manziel,” Jones said of his inspiration for the touchdown. “He carried the legacy of the celebration.”
Jones is not going to be a Heisman Trophy winner they make Netflix documentaries about. But he’s become an important piece of the Georgia offense so far this season. Injuries have decimated the running back room, as Branson Robinson is out for the season and Georgia could very well be without Kendall Milton and Roderick Robinson this weekend.
“I just try to control the controllables,” Jones said. “I hate it for them, so I’m just trying to do the best for me and the team and just try to help us win whichever way possible.”
Jones earned rave reviews during fall camp, emerging as one of the true bright spots at the running back position for Georgia. His pass-catching ability was something that separated him from Georgia’s other running backs.
Those skills were on display during Georgia’s win over Ball State, when Jones made a nifty 27-yard touchdown grab on a pass from Carson Beck.
Through the first three games of the season, Jones has 7 carries for 29 yards and 7 receptions for 67 yards, to go along with his two touchdowns. His touchdown against South Carolina was a big moment for the walk-on, who at one point during his recruitment was committed to New Mexico State before deciding to walk on at Georgia.
“Coach (Dell) McGee, he did a good job throughout my recruitment process,” Jones said. “He called me quite a bit. He said that the scholarship spots were full. I felt like I had the best opportunity to really grow more and into my full potential here. It’s definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I couldn’t be more blessed than to be in this situation.”
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Jones was a four-sport athlete in high school, playing baseball, basketball and track at Brock High School in Brock, Texas. Jones says baseball was his second best sport but he also won a state championship as a sprinter. He arrived at Georgia ahead of the 2021 season but was injured and needed ankle surgery.
His first moment in the sun came against Vanderbilt in 2022, scoring his first touchdown on a 36-yard run. Jones has shown an uncanny ability to find the endzone, scoring 3 touchdowns on his 19 career touchdowns to this point.
“He’s awesome. He’s one of the hardest working people on our team,” offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild said. “He comes in everyday and gets the job done. He’s been a really good player and a good teammate.”
But his latest touchdown felt different, Jones admits. It didn’t come during garbage time but at an important junction in an SEC game.
Jones is no longer just another successful walk-on for Georgia with a cool name. He’s a key player at a position of need for the Bulldogs.
and for completeness - https://www.si.com/college/georgia/football/kirby-smart-details-the-importance-of-walk-ons-within-the-georgia-program