BOONE, N.C. — A sterling AFL debut has created a second shot at the NFL for Appalachian State alum Malachi Jones.
On Thursday night, the Chicago Bears signed the 24-year-old Jones, who is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver. Earlier this week, he was named the Arena Football League's Rookie of the Year thanks to a season in which he led the league in receiving yards (1,156 on 77 catches), receiving yards per game (96.3) and yards per catch (15.0) as a member of the Albany Empire. He ranked second in the league with 29 touchdown catches and also had five touchdown runs.