Connor Jones’ social media displays numerous photos and videos of his college football experience.

After tonight, Jones hopes to include posts of him and his teammates hoisting a championship trophy.

The former Palmer Ridge stand out, who’s now an offensive lineman at Michigan, will participate in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at in Houston as the No. 1-seed Wolverines face No. 2 Washington and look to capture their first title since 1997.

“It’s been awesome to look back and see all the prep work that I did to get to this point,” Jones said. “I have a lot more work to do to accomplish what I want to accomplish and be in the position I want to be in here at Michigan. But taking that step back and remembering all the hard work I have put in up to this point keeps me humble.”

Jones, a redshirt-sophomore for the Wolverines, joined Michigan after a successful career with the Bears from 2018-2022.

At Palmer Ridge, he was on the team for three of the Bears’ four consecutive trips to the state championship game.

In his final year, Jones helped power an o-line that allowed the Bears offense to average nearly 400 yards per game.

Palmer Ridge coach Zach Carlton said Jones’ work ethic on and off the field rivaled none during his time with the Bears.

“He was not only a standout player with remarkable skills, but also someone who consistently demonstrated dedication and perseverance,” Carlton said. “His commitment to his craft set him apart. Connor set a high standard as a role model for his teammates and left a lasting impact on our program.”

As a freshman at Michigan, Jones appeared in two games and was, “named scout team offensive player of the week for his role in preparing the defense for Penn State,” according to the Michigan Athletics’ website.

This season, Jones suited up on special teams for the Wolverines’ game against East Carolina on Sept. 2.

The Wolverines enter the matchup against the Washington Huskies with a 14-0 record and have won 27 of their last 28 games.

“We’re all grateful to be in this position,” Jones said. “We’re all locked in and ready to go. This has been our goal the whole season and now everyone is ready for it.”

Carlton said when Jones suits up tonight, it represents more than a championship opportunity for the Wolverines.

“His appearance in the title game sends a powerful message to our current athletes – that dreams can be realized through hard work, resilience, and a passion for the game,” Carlton said. “It’s a reminder that the skills and values they develop at Palmer Ridge can propel them to success at higher levels of competition. We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in Connor’s journey, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact his success will undoubtedly have on the aspirations of our current and future athletes.”

While Jones will be the lone athlete representing the Pikes Peak region, several other Colorado players will participate in the championship game as well, including:

For Michigan: Reece Atteberry (Eaglecrest), Andrew Gentry (Columbine), Hayden Moore (Regis Jesuit), Drake Nugent (Highlands Ranch).

For Washington: Roger Rosengarten (Valor Christian), Zachary Henning (Grandview).

An offensive tackle on the Palmer Ridge High School football team, Connor Jones now plays for Michigan.

Courtesy of Palmer Ridge High School football

Former Palmer Ridge player Connor Jones is pictured.

Courtesy of Aaron Bills, University of Michigan