NASHVILLE, Tenn. — College football programs have their dates, some more than others, precious few for Vanderbilt. But Oct. 5, 2024, is an all-timer. That’s a date the Vanderbilt participants, fans and families will always hold close.
One of those families shared emotions beyond the obvious thrill and awe of the Commodores beating Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium. It was a feelings bouillabaisse for the Joneses of Puyallup, Wash. The things Clark Lea told Marlon Jones and his parents, things that convinced the Eastern Washington graduate transfer cornerback to choose Vanderbilt over Colorado, Washington State and others, were materializing on that field.
It didn’t hurt that the coach on the Alabama sideline, Kalen DeBoer, was part of one of their least favorite recruiting experiences while he was still coaching Washington — about 40 miles north of their home — in 2023. Beating the dominant program in college football and DeBoer at the same time? Seeing work pay off in stunning results? Planting a spotlight on the genius of quarterback Diego Pavia and commandeering American sports headlines? What a day.
“I had never seen my mom that happy,” Jones said. “Just screaming at the TV.”
But that’s what hurt: Jones was next to his mom to see it.
