Former St Mary's Star Returns Home to Legion
Davis native Chase Jones signs with California Legion for 2026 after his professional debut season with NOLA Gold, bringing resilience, work rate, and first round draft pedigree back to his home state.
Chase Jones joins the Legion after three seasons within the NOLA Gold system. Jones made his long awaited professional debut in 2025 following an Achilles injury that ruled him out of the 2023 season and much of 2024.
A product of Dixon High School, Jones earned High School All American honors in 2017 before continuing his development at Saint Mary’s College of California. In 2019, he represented the USA Under 20s and later helped the Gaels finish as D1A National Runners Up in 2022 while completing his Master’s degree.
Jones declared for the 2022 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected sixth overall in the first round by NOLA. He signed ahead of the 2023 season and spent time with their academy program before injuries delayed his professional breakthrough.
In 2025, Jones returned to full fitness and made his MLR debut. He started eight of eleven appearances for the Gold, recording 91 tackles and scoring his first MLR try in Round 8 against Anthem RC. That performance earned him MLR Team of the Week recognition.
Now back in his home state, Jones strengthens Legion’s second row with size, work rate, and resilience. His path from Davis to professional rugby reflects persistence and steady growth, and he returns to California ready for the next chapter in 2026.
