This is one in a series of stories breaking down each of the players on Penn State Football’s 2026 roster.
Keith Jones Jr. didn’t have much momentum as a high school recruit. He didn’t earn a star rating from 247Sports or rack up an assortment of Division I offers despite his 6-foot-4 frame at wide receiver.
Instead, Jones committed to Grambling State, taking a redshirt year before breaking out for 32 catches, 450 yards and five touchdowns last season. After putting himself on the map, Jones earned a three-star ranking as a transfer prospect. He went on to commit to Penn State, where he’ll join a receiver room trying to shake a decade-long reputation of underachieving.
The top of the Nittany Lions’ depth chart at receiver is well solidified thanks to quarterback Rocco Becht and players like Brett Eskildsen, both of whom followed head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State. Skill players like Jones can still find playing time through special teams and as reserves and, if he can continue to prove the doubters wrong, the New Orleans native could carve out a bigger role in the coming seasons.
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 197 pounds
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Hometown: New Orleans
High School Career: While he was unranked as a high school recruit, Jones lettered in both football and basketball in his native New Orleans.
Grambling State (2024-25): Jones took a redshirt year during his first season with the Tigers, then broke out for a 500 yard season during his first taste of Division I football.
PENN STATE
Where he stands: New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell lifted much of his offense at Iowa State last season and brought it uncorrupted to Happy Valley. He’ll get one last season out of quarterback Rocco Becht and also brought over some of Becht’s favorite targets from last year.
Jones is an odd man out in comparison, so he’ll have to showcase his talent in offseason practices in order to find a place on the totem pole… but with three seasons of eligibility remaining, he doesn’t have to rush to do so.
