Editor's note: In anticipation of the 121st college football season in Utah, DeseretNews.com writer Jay Yeomans is ranking the 50 greatest Division I college football players of all time from the state of Utah. We're counting down the 50 days until Sept. 1 when Southern Utah at Utah and Weber State at Utah State kick off at 6 p.m. Rankings are based on what the player did during his college career.
37. Rulon Jones, Utah State, defensive line (1976-79)
Jones was a key member for the Aggie defense from the moment he stepped on campus until the time he left for the NFL. While most of his recognition came as a senior, he was a two-time all-conference selection who led the team with 104 tackles as a junior.
A year later, he was the PCAA Defensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-American by The Sporting News after he helped the Aggies to a 7-3-1 record and an undefeated mark in conference play.
For his outstanding career at Utah State he was named a member of the All-Century team and was inducted in the USU Hall of Fame in 2007.
Jay Yeomans is a sports writer for DeseretNews.com. Contact him at jyeomans@deseretdigital.com.