ECU’s Jones nominated for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – East Carolina offensive lineman Karson Jones is one of 162 student-athletes selected as a nominee for the 2026 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team, according to an announcement by the AFCA on Monday. The award recognizes student-athletes from every level of college football who are making an impact through community service, academic achievement and leadership.

A spring 2026 graduate with a degree in communications who is pursuing an MBA at East Carolina, Jones is a four-time ECU Director of Athletics Honor Roll member and a two-time American Conference All-Academic Team selection (2023 & 2024). In community, he has volunteered at the Joy Soup Kitchen, participated in the Ignite Church Hurricane Relief Project, helped box packages for military members stationed abroad and has visited local elementary schools and hospitals. As a member of the East Carolina Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), he helped organize over 300 community service hours for student-athletes since stepping on campus in 2024.

On the field, Jones has played in five collegiate games, appearing in three for the Pirates in 2024 before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the 2025 campaign. He has been part of a program that has produced 17 wins and consecutive Go Bowling Military Bowl Championships the last two seasons under head coach Blake Harrell.

2026 Preseason Honors

OL – Brandon Best
First Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Second Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Lindy’s Sports)

OL – Hayes Creel
Third Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

DL – Kendrick DuJour
Second Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Lindy’s Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

RB – Ashton Gray
Second Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

LB – DJ Johnson Jr.
Third Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

OL – Karson Jones
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee

WR – Tyler Johnson
Third Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

DB – Kevon Merrell Jr.
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

DB – Ashton Levells-Mitchell
Third Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

WR – Landon Sides
Third Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

WR – Brock Spalding
First Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
First Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Second Team All-American Conference (Lindy’s Sports)

DL – Jasiyah Robinson
First Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

DL – Rion Roseborough
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

The Pirates will open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 when it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on Alabama at Saban Field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 noon (ET) and will be televised on ABC. Season ticket orders are currently on sale, with packages starting at just $75 for the six-game home slate at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium this fall. To purchase new season tickets, visit ECUPirates.com or contact the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500 during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).