The heightened competition, exposure from national TV, and scrutiny of being seen by the Alabama fanbase like never before.
Cayden Jones ’24 was poised and ready for everything thrown at him in Orlando.
Especially the football.
Cayden came away from the Under Armour All-America Game with a career-defining moment – his 41-yard pick-six touchdown at the 6:09 mark of the first quarter was captured by ESPN’s cameras and just as quickly began circulating on social media.
A pick-six touchdown for Cayden Jones ‘24 @caydenjones_33 in this afternoon’s Under Armour All-America football game being shown live from Orlando on ESPN.
— Christ School Athletics (@greeniesports) January 3, 2024
What a moment for the Greenie on national TV! pic.twitter.com/06LhyBzz6z
Cayden made a perfect read, leaping to bring down the ball from his spot at linebacker, then ran down the sideline untouched. He and Team Ice went on to easily win the game, 39-9. Cayden was interviewed almost immediately after the turnover.
“I haven’t had a pick-six in a minute. It felt really good,” Cayden said.
“I’m excited and just ready to get on the field (at Alabama). It was crazy and super surreal (to be recruited by Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban). I just want to get there and get a ring, try to get a ring, that’s my biggest thing. Win some national championships.”
Eighty players were hand-picked for the Under Armour game and Cayden bears the distinction as the first All-American in the history of Christ School’s football program. The 6-foot-4, 211-pound senior from Asheville made 283 tackles in his career for the Greenies, while also contributing on offense and special teams.