Maryland Football Countdown: No. 77, Stan Jones

Offensive lineman Stan Jones was a star while at Maryland and later on for the Chicago Bears. (Mandatory Credit: Chicago Tribune)

With just 32 days until the Maryland opens the season on Sept. 5, TerrapinStationMD continues our series based on past Terrapins with Stan Jones. We’ll continue to look at the most talented and/or popular player to wear the number and analyze their time in College Park. If you think of a player that had a big impact and is also associated with that number, leave a comment below.

The early 1950s were some of the best years for the Maryland football program. Star offensive guard/tackle Stan Jones was very instrumental in the success that the Terps had during that time.

In 1951, Maryland were crowned co-champions with the Virginia Military Institute in the Southern Conference. The Terps went 7-2 the following season and finished at No. 13 in the Associated Press poll.

The 1952 season was their last in the Southern Conference before moving on to the ACC in 1953.

In 1953, Maryland went 10-1 and were crowned national champions. The Terp did lose to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, but the national champions were decided before bowl games in those days.

During that magical 1953 campaign, Jones was named a consensus All-American that season and also won the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy, which was given to the nation’s most outstanding lineman.

He also played defensive tackle for the Terps and was part of a defense that only allowed 31 points during their 10 regular season contests en route to the national title.

Star quarterback Bernie Faloney and tailback Ed Vereb were also on that 1953 championship team.

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Upon leaving College Park, Jones was selected in the fifth round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Jones was a star offensive lineman and began his career in 1954 as an offensive tackle. He then switched over to guard and played there for eight seasons with Chicago.

In 1962, Jones moved to defensive tackle and actually played on both sides of the ball. The Altoona, Pa. native permanently moved to the defensive tackle position in 1963.

When his NFL career was finished, Jones was a seven-time Pro Bowler and even won an NFL Championship in 1963 with the Bears.

Jones was one of the fiercest offensive linemen to ever come through College Park. He was an All-American that had a knack for success on both sides of the football.

Jones could be tabbed as one of the greatest players in the history of the program.