Boardwalk Beasts Alumni Spotlight: Jah'Cire Jones, RB – Making an Impact at Union College
Ready to follow in Jah'Cire's footsteps? Discover how Boardwalk Beasts Football Club develops athletes for college success, or explore our programs at myfootballcamps.com.
From the fields of Red Bank, New Jersey to the gridiron at Union College, Jah'Cire Jones exemplifies what it means to be a Boardwalk Beasts alumni. The 5-11, 205-pound running back has carved out a meaningful role for the Union College Dutchmen while pursuing an engineering degree: a testament to the foundation built during his time with the Beasts organization.
Jones's journey hasn't been a straight path, but that's exactly what makes his story so compelling for current Boardwalk Beasts athletes who dream of playing college football.
From Red Bank Regional to College Football
Jah'Cire Jones was a standout multi-sport athlete at Red Bank Regional High School, where he spent four years excelling in football, basketball, and track & field for the Bucs. His versatility and work ethic caught the attention of college recruiters, eventually leading to his first collegiate opportunity at East Carolina University.
However, like many student-athletes, Jones discovered that finding the right fit sometimes requires multiple attempts. After spending 2024 at ECU without seeing game action, he made the strategic decision to transfer: a move that would prove pivotal for both his academic and athletic aspirations.
"I chose Union for the opportunity to be a student-athlete and pursue an engineering degree," Jones explained when discussing his transfer decision. This mindset reflects the values instilled in Boardwalk Beasts athletes: thinking beyond just football and preparing for life after the game.
Making an Immediate Impact at Union
The 2025 season marked Jones's first year of college football action, and he didn't waste the opportunity. Over eight games, the sophomore running back compiled impressive statistics that showcase his versatility and reliability:
Rushing Performance:
- 55 carries for 178 yards and 1 touchdown
- 3.2 yards per carry average
- Season-high 57 yards against SUNY Morrisville (9/20)
- Longest rush of 14 yards
Receiving Contributions:
- 5 receptions for 46 yards
- 9.2 yards per reception average
- Season-best 29 receiving yards in the opener against #5 Susquehanna
- Longest reception of 15 yards
Special Teams and Defense:
- 1 kick return for 12 yards
- 3 tackles on the defensive side of the ball
Jones's most productive game came against SUNY Morrisville on September 20th, when he carried the ball 12 times for 57 yards, helping Union secure a victory. His ability to contribute in multiple phases: rushing, receiving, special teams, and even defense: demonstrates the complete football player mentality that Boardwalk Beasts emphasizes in its development programs.
The Scholar-Athlete Balance
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Jones's story is his commitment to academic excellence alongside his football duties. Pursuing an engineering degree while competing in Division III football requires exceptional time management and dedication: qualities that were undoubtedly developed during his youth football days with organizations like Boardwalk Beasts.
Engineering is one of the most demanding academic disciplines, requiring intensive study, laboratory work, and problem-solving skills. Balancing this coursework with daily practices, team meetings, film study, and game preparation showcases the type of mental toughness and organizational skills that translate to success both on and off the field.
For current Boardwalk Beasts athletes, Jones's academic-athletic balance serves as a powerful example. Football can open doors to educational opportunities, but it's the commitment to excellence in all areas that creates lasting success.
The Boardwalk Beasts Foundation
While Jones has found his home at Union College, the foundation for his success was built during his formative years in youth football. The Boardwalk Beasts organization emphasizes not just developing better football players, but developing better young men who can succeed at the next level and beyond.
The skills taught in Boardwalk Beasts programs: discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and mental toughness: are evident in Jones's journey. When faced with the challenge of limited playing time at ECU, he didn't give up on his football dreams. Instead, he made a strategic decision to find a better fit, demonstrating the type of resilience and problem-solving ability that youth football helps develop.
The versatility Jones displays at Union: contributing on offense, defense, and special teams: reflects the comprehensive training approach that Boardwalk Beasts employs. Rather than focusing solely on one position or skill set, the organization develops complete football players who can adapt and contribute wherever their team needs them.
Lessons for Current Beasts Athletes
Jones's story offers several key lessons for current Boardwalk Beasts athletes dreaming of college football:
Persistence Pays Off: The path to college football success isn't always linear. Jones's transfer from ECU to Union shows that finding the right fit sometimes requires patience and strategic decision-making.
Academics Matter: Choosing Union for both its athletic program and engineering opportunities demonstrates the importance of viewing college as more than just a four-year football experience.
Versatility Creates Opportunities: Jones's ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game made him valuable to Union's coaching staff and earned him significant playing time as a first-year player.
Character Counts: His commitment to team success over individual statistics reflects the type of character that coaches value and that leads to long-term success.
Looking Ahead
As Jones continues his journey at Union College, he serves as an inspiration and role model for current Boardwalk Beasts athletes. His story demonstrates that with the right foundation, work ethic, and mindset, dreams of playing college football can become reality.
The engineering student-athlete balance he's maintaining also opens doors for his post-football career. Whether he pursues professional opportunities in engineering or uses his degree as a springboard to other fields, Jones is positioning himself for long-term success beyond his playing days.
For Union College, having a player like Jones in their program represents exactly what Division III athletics should be about: student-athletes who excel in the classroom while contributing meaningfully to their teams' success on the field.
The Boardwalk Beasts Legacy
Stories like Jah'Cire Jones's remind us why youth sports organizations like Boardwalk Beasts are so important. They provide more than just football training: they build character, teach life skills, and create pathways for young athletes to achieve their dreams.
Every current Beasts athlete has the potential to write their own success story, whether that leads to Division I scholarships, Division III excellence like Jones, or success in other areas of life. The foundation is there; it's up to each individual athlete to build upon it with dedication, hard work, and the type of character that Jones exemplifies.
As Jones continues to make his mark at Union College, he carries with him the lessons learned and relationships built during his time with Boardwalk Beasts. His success serves as proof that the organization's mission: developing not just better football players, but better young men: continues to pay dividends long after athletes have moved on to the next level.
Want to follow the same path as Jah'Cire Jones? Start your journey with Boardwalk Beasts Football Club today, or explore our comprehensive training programs at myfootballcamps.com. Your college football dreams are waiting.
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