Velus Jones Jr.

Velus “Tyler” Phillip Jones Jr., born on May 11, 1997, is revered as an American professional football player, known for his prowess as a running back and specialist return player. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, where he spent his early years until his family relocated to Saraland, Alabama when he was eight, he quickly demonstrated his athletic talents in high school. Jones attended Saraland High School, where he was known for his impressive football performance, even being named as a first team All-State player during his junior year.

Velus was a stand-out athlete during his high school years, seizing glory as a first team All-State pick not once, but twice. His junior year saw him score nine touchdowns and secure 51 passes for 1,118 yards. Actively recruited because of his skills on the gridiron, Velus was a coveted four-star recruit going into college.

Initially, Velus committed to the University of Southern California (USC). However, a change of heart prompted him to decommit and shift his focus towards the University of Oklahoma. His stint there was short-lived, though, and he eventually re-committed to USC.

Jones’ college football career started at USC. During his true freshman season, he spent most of his time on the sidelines, being redshirted. However, the following year, he showcased his talent as USC’s primary kick returner, where he chalked up 760 yards from 31 returns. Mirroring his high school career, Velus excelled during his redshirt sophomore year, catching 24 passes that covered 266 yards netting one touchdown. His impressive streak of returns continued with Jones doggedly achieving 21 kickoffs for 483 yards, as well as scoring a rushing touchdown.

Jones made a significant decision to transfer from USC after an impressive redshirt junior season, which saw him returning 29 kickoffs for 704 yards and one touchdown. This earned him a spot on the second team All-Pac-12 Conference. After announcing his intention to leave USC, he committed himself to play at the University of Tennessee.

At Tennessee, Jones quickly established himself as a valuable player. He joined the Volunteers as a graduate transfer and immediately started contributing to the team’s performance. During his first season, he secured 22 passes for 280 yards and led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with 398 kickoff return yards. Displaying a heroic commitment to his team, he chose to extend his eligibility, taking full advantage of the additional year granted to collegiate athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, in what can be described as a phenomenal performance, he completed 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. He secured the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year title after making 24 successful kickoff returns for 628 yards along with one touchdown, and 18 punt returns covering 272 yards.

His football career took a professional turn in 2022. After his extraordinary college career, Jones was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the NFL draft, with the 71st pick.

His rookie year in NFL was marked by some challenges. Despite becoming a member of the bears, he was sidelined for the initial games due to a hamstring injury. In Week 4, he made his NFL comeback as a special team player in a game against the New York Giants. Jones’ professional career hits a milestone in Week 5 when he scored his first career touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. The remaining matches of the season showcased Jones as a reliable player, leading the Bears in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage.

The following season in 2023 saw Jones play in 14 games, where he sustained his lead in kickoff returns and yards. 2024 brought another significant change when the Bears announced Jones’ transition into a running back role. However, this chapter was short-lived as he was released by the Bears in October the same year.

Despite the fluctuation in his career, Jones’ adeptness and commitment to his sport are undeniable. From his high school beginnings in Alabama to his brief but solid professional stint in the NFL, Jones’ journey is an example of talent, grit, and determined sportsmanship.