*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:37, 20 September 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 20, 2024
Introduced to soccer at the age of five by his teacher,[3][4] Jones was a three-year letter winner in soccer at East Lansing High School, while also playing club soccer for TNT Dynamite SC, as well as Force FC.[5] During his junior and senior seasons he led the Trojans to a combined 50–4 record en route to winning back-to-back State Championships. Throughout the seven game playoff run his senior season, Jones netted 9 goals and tailed 12 assists which included the game tying assist and game winning overtime goal in the 2014 State Championship against Cranbrook Schools Jones was named both the Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Soccer for the state of Michigan in his senior year while attending East Lansing High School.[6]
College career
Jones played for four seasons at Michigan State, and was captain of the Spartans team that reached the semifinals of the 2018 College Cup.[7] He was named to the second team in the Big Ten Conference, alongside future Revolution teammate Justin Rennicks, and started all 23 of their games in 2018, tallying 5 goals and 5 assists. He scored 7 goals and had 6 assists the season prior, as a junior, and was named to the second team in the Big Ten that season as well. Jones performed well at the MLS Combine ahead of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, placing first in the combine's speed and agility tests, and third in the vertical jump.[8] After scoring a goal in a scrimmage that day, his draft stock rose from being picked late in the first round, to as high as sixth overall on multiple mock drafts.[9]
Professional career
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New England Revolution
Jones was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution, the club's second selection of the draft, after Tajon Buchanan.[10] After playing a full preseason with the Revolution, Jones signed a contract with the club on February 25, five days ahead of their season opening fixture.[11] Named in the match-day squad for the first two games, Jones did not make his debut until the Revolution's fourth game, at home to expansion side FC Cincinnati on March 24. Jones replaced left-back Edgar Castillo towards the end of the match as the Revolution tried to overcome a two-goal deficit, the game finishing 2–0. On March 30, 2019, Jones made his first career start for the Revolution, recording two shots, including one shot on goal and the game-winning assist in a 2–1 victory over Minnesota. Jones would score his first professional goal against Sporting Kansas City on April 27, with Jones calling it "an awesome feeling."[12] After his rookie season in New England, Jones signed a contract extension with the Revolution.[13]
On January 18, 2024, Jones re-signed with the Revolution on a 4-year deal, which would last through the 2027 MLS Season.[14]
Columbus Crew
On July 31, 2024, Jones was traded to the Columbus Crew, in exchange for Will Sands plus $600,000 in General Allocation Money.[15] He scored his first goal for the club just 20 seconds after being substituted in during his debut, in a Leagues Cup match against Sporting Kansas City.[16]
International career
Jones made his debut for the U.S. Men's National Team against Serbia, subbing on in a January camp international friendly on January 25.[17] He made his first start against Colombia later during that same friendly camp.[18] Jones was named to both the preliminary and final roster for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[19] Jones then started twice in group stage matches, which included notching his first ever assist at the international level against Trinidad and Tobago, assisting Jesus Ferreira on the opener.[20] Jones then assisted Brandon Vazquez for the opening goal of the quarter-final match up versus Canada, a game the US would go on to win in penalties.[21]
Personal life
DeJuan Lytelle Jones was born on June 24, 1997, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Jones attended Dwight Rich School of the Arts, located in Lansing, Michigan, from kindergarten through sixth grade. After finishing sixth grade, he transferred to MacDonald Middle School located in East Lansing and was there for seventh and eighth grade and moved on the East Lansing High School which is where he graduated after completing ninth through twelfth grade. After graduating from East Lansing High School he accepted a scholarship to attend Michigan State University to continue his academic and athletic career.[citation needed]
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