KNOXVILLE – Four days into this year, Tennessee receiver and return specialist Velus Jones Jr. announced via social media that he was going to use a sixth season of eligibility and play a second year for the Volunteers.
Talented teammates would depart through the NCAA transfer portal, and the university would announce the firing of Jeremy Pruitt and the hiring of Josh Heupel, but the decision by Jones to stay has never been more justified. During Tennessee’s 60-14 pulverizing of South Alabama inside Neyland Stadium on Saturday night, the 6-foot, 200-pounder set a personal best with 246 all-purpose yards.
“This just shows you what God has in store for you,” Jones said. “You never know what’s going to happen next or what lies ahead of you, and I thank God for talking me into coming to this university. I’ve been loving it ever since. It’s been quite a journey since I’ve been here with the switches of coaches and everything.
“Overall, I love this university, and I’m thankful for the opportunity with these new coaches believing in me as a player. I couldn’t have written this story any better.”
His latest chapter with the Vols included 10 catches for 203 yards, a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and three punt returns for 47 yards. His kickoff return with 1:18 before halftime provided Tennessee a 35-7 lead, and it’s in the running for the most exciting play of Heupel’s debut season.