Ben Jones (offensive lineman)

Ben Jones (born July 2, 1989) is an American football center for the Houston Texans. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.

High school career

A native of Centreville, Alabama, Jones attended Bibb County High School, where he was a two-way lineman and team captain. He paved the way for running back Zac Stacy, who rushed for 1,666 yards and 24 TDs. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Jones was listed as the No. 7 center prospect in his class. Despite living only an hour away from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jones grew up a Georgia Bulldogs fan.

College career

Jones became the Bulldogs starting center three games into his freshman season (at No. 24 Arizona State), after Chris Davis was moved to left guard. The centerpiece of a young offensive line, Jones helped protect quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 3,459 yards (second most in school history) and 25 touchdowns (single-season record), while also clearing the way for running back Knowshon Moreno (1,400 rushing yards).