Velus

Jones Jr.

Jones (6'0"/200) has an impressive resume as he finished this season with All-SEC first-team honors. What has his stock rising is the WR-best 4.31 40-time he posted at the combine. He’s a versatile player who has experience as a receiver and a kick returner and is dynamic when he has the ball. Yesterday this would have not been big news, but with Deebo Samuel asking for trade, the 49ers meeting a guy who plays just like him on the same day will grab your attention. They might already be setting up for a plan b.

After what was seen as a strong week at the Senior Bowl, Jones (6'0/200) had a really nice day of testing. Initially, jones was tied with Calvin Austin III at 4.32 seconds, but once the official times were tabulated, Jones had him beat by .01 seconds. He finished the day by looking good in receiving drills. His stock was already on the rise and it appears that it will continue.

Jones (6'0/200 had a stellar final season as he finished tenth in the SEC in receiving yards (806) and now during the predraft process, he’s getting NFL scout’s attention. He showed off his skills during the Senior Bowl with an American team-high 52 receiving yards, including an impressive 32-yard contested catch, and many liked what they saw during the practice sessions. Jim Nagy notes he was the second-fastest offensive prospect at Senior Bowl and showed a tape of his route-running skills. Including one where he had juked a defender resembling a Steph Curry ankle-breaker. He’s not in that top-tier of WR prospects that are expected to go in the first round or early second, but he has good size and someone a team can grab in the middle rounds and could compete for a WR2 spot.

Jones (6'0/200) was second on the Vols in receiving this season with 52 receptions for 722 yards and six touchdowns, but received all-purpose player honors thanks in part to his work on special teams. Jones averaged 126.3 all-purpose yards per game this season, and was second in the SEC in kick-return average (28.1) and first in punt return average (16.0). He and the Vols will face Purdue in the Music City Bowl on December 30th, which is played in their home state of Nashville, Tennessee.

After not being involved against Alabama last week, Jones (6'0/200) was back at it on Saturday against the Wildcats, and it was enough to give the Volunteers a much-needed win. His touchdown -- one of four thrown by Hendon Hooker -- was a 72-yarder, and the former USC transfer has four touchdowns in five games. The sledding will be much tougher next week when he and the Volunteers take on Georgia.

The Tennessee offense was firing on all cylinders as it recorded a 45-20 victory over South Carolina on Saturday. One player who had a part in the win was Jones (6'0/200), who crossed the century mark for the first time this season. He led the team in receiving yards on the day, reeling in six passes for 103 yards with one touchdown.

This is good news for the Volunteers, as Jones (6'0/200) was limited by a hamstring injury earlier in fall camp. The redshirt senior’s placement atop the depth chart implies that he’ll be good to go Thursday night, giving new starting QB Joe Milton an experienced option to work with in the passing game. Jones finished the 2020 season with a 22-280-3 receiving line.

According to Rocky Top Insider, Jones (6'0/200) looked good while running routes during the segment of a recent practice that media was allowed to watch. That being said, the Tennessee training staff is exercising caution with regard to the redshirt senior. Jones, who caught 22 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns last season, is expected to be a key target for whichever quarterback (likely Michigan transfer Joe Milton) wins the starting job.

With the NCAA giving all athletes a “free year” of eligibility due to the coronavirus pandemic, seniors such as Jones (6'0/200) have the opportunity to return to school for another season. The redshirt senior will do just that, aiming to build on a 2020 campaign in which he accounted for 22 receptions, 280 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Prior to his transfer to Tennessee, Jones caught 36 passes for 347 yards and a touchdown in three seasons at USC.

Jones (6'0/190) had served primarily on kick returns until he reeled in four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown last week against Florida. His performance clearly caught the eyes of the coaching staff who gave him increased reps, with the redshirt senior USC transfer rewarding them with a two touchdown showing. His biggest moment came on a fourth quarter 74-yard bomb from Harrison Bailey that sealed the victory for the Volunteers. He will try to build on his career game next week when UT faces Texas A&M in their season finale.