The highest-ranked recruit from New Mexico to ever enter the NFL
In short: Landry Jones didn't just break records; he redefined what was possible for a high school athlete in his state. Before becoming an NFL quarterback, he led his team to consecutive state championships and became the most highly-regarded prospect in New Mexico history.
Growing up in Artesia, New Mexico, Landry Jones first lettered as a running back before transitioning to quarterback. His high school career was defined by explosive production: he threw for a combined 7,013 yards and 89 touchdowns across two consecutive Class 4A state championships. During his senior year in 2007 alone, he accounted for 3,433 yards and 45 touchdowns without throwing a single interception. His performance against Goddard High School set a school record with 325 yards and seven touchdowns in a single game.
His elite status was confirmed by national scouts who labeled him the highest-ranked recruit to ever emerge from New Mexico. He received five-star ratings from 247 Sports and four-star marks from both Scout.com and Rivals.com, making him a target for nearly every major program in the country, including Alabama, Notre Dame, and USC. Ultimately, Jones chose the University of Oklahoma, where he spent four years navigating the complexities of being a high-profile signal caller.
At Oklahoma, Jones's career was marked by significant transitions. He initially served as a backup to Sam Bradford but took over the starting role in 2009 following an injury. During that season, he led the Sooners to a dominant 64–0 shutout of Idaho State and eventually guided them to a Fiesta Bowl victory. By the time he finished his collegiate career, he had amassed 16,646 passing yards and 123 touchdowns.
During the 2013 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked Jones within its fourth round. While he spent years as a reliable backup to Ben Roethlisberger—notably leading a comeback win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2015—he eventually moved on to the XFL. He made history there as the first player to sign with the league in 2019, later joining the Tennessee football coaching staff as an offensive analyst in early 2025.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Landry Jones
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