Julio Jones
Encyclopedia
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones (born February 3, 1989) is an American football
wide receiver
for the Atlanta Falcons
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft
. He played college football
for the Alabama Crimson Tide
. During his sophomore season with Alabama in 2009, he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
.
in Foley, Alabama
. He completed his senior football season in the fall of 2007. Jones participated in the High School Under Armour All-America Game
, where he was recorded at 6 ft 4 in and 218 lbs
.
During his high school career, Julio Jones' dominating play and rare physical attributes quickly identified him as a special athlete. At the Baton Rouge
Nike
camp in May 2007, Jones ran a 4.45 40 yard dash
, an event-best 38.6-inch vertical jump and was recorded at 6'4", 215 pounds. He once ran a 4.38, 40 yard dash when clocked at Foley High School.
The buzz surrounding Jones began to swell to NFL proportions. Sports Illustrated
likened him to wide receiver Terrell Owens
, saying he was, "a big, physical wideout with great strength, amazing jumping ability and uncanny speed for such a big player." ESPN.com
compared to him to another NFL great, saying, "This guy is a unique, rare prospect for the wide receiver position with his supreme blend of size, power, speed and agility. He reminds us of a high school version of Michael Irvin
, but at this stage Jones is more explosive and faster."
Entering February 2008, Jones was one of the most highly rated and sought after high school football recruits in the country, having been awarded a 5 star rating (the maximum) by national recruiting outlets Rivals.com and Scout.com. Overall, Jones was nationally ranked as the #2 overall prep prospect by ESPN and #4 overall by Rivals.com, being the top-ranked receiver by both. He also drew comparisons to Arizona Cardinals
receiver Larry Fitzgerald
.
. As the recruiting process started to wind down, he narrowed down his possibilities to five schools: Alabama
, Florida
, Florida State
, Oklahoma
, and Texas Tech
. On February 6, 2008, Jones ended months of recruiting, committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide
on National Signing Day
, as he announced his decision live on ESPNU
.
, Jones became the first true freshman receiver to start in a season opener for the Crimson Tide, as he started against the Clemson Tigers
in the 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
. In the game, Jones caught four passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in a 34–10 rout. In a 41–30 win over the #3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs
, Jones had a breakout performance as he caught five passes for 94 yards, including a 22–yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson
. His first 100–yard receiving game occurred in the annual rivalry game
versus Tennessee
, as Jones had six receptions for 103 yards en route to a 29–9 victory. However, two weeks later versus #16 LSU
, Jones topped his previous performance with 7 catches for 128 yards. His 23–yard reception in overtime set up a game-winning touchdown by John Parker Wilson, giving Alabama a 27–21 victory. In the 2008 SEC Championship Game
, Jones caught five passes for 124 yards versus a talented Florida Gators
secondary. In the first quarter, Jones caught a 64–yard pass which set up the Crimson Tide's first score of the game. However, Alabama fell to #2 Florida 31–20, giving the Crimson Tide their first loss of the year.
On December 8, the Southeastern Conference announced the annual All-SEC first team, second team, and individual awards, as voted by the Associated Press
. Jones was named to the second team All-SEC, SEC Freshman of the Year, and the SEC Coaches' All-Freshman Team. Jones finished the regular season with 58 receptions, 924 yards, and four touchdowns.
, Tennessee safety Eric Berry
and LSU offensive lineman Ciron Black
).
Jones and Alabama again opened their season at the Georgia Dome
, this time facing Virginia Tech
for the 2009 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
. However, the Crimson Tide's rushing game dominated the game, led by eventual Heisman Trophy
winner and teammate, Mark Ingram
. Jones finished the game with four receptions for 46 yards, with Alabama winning the game 34–24. His first touchdown of the season would not come until the end of September, as the Tide routed the Arkansas Razorbacks
35–7 in Tuscaloosa. Jones caught a 50–yard touchdown pass from quarterback Greg McElroy
, coming from a trick play, to put Alabama up 14–0 midway through the first quarter. He would finish the game with two catches for 65 yards.
After experiencing what some writers called a "sophomore slump", Jones's production increased during the second half of the 2009 season
. In a rivalry game against LSU, Jones had his first 100–yard performance of the season. He finished with four catches for 102 yards, including a 73–yard game winning touchdown in Alabama's 24–15 victory.
Alabama continued through the regular season undefeated at 12–0, working their way to a SEC Championship
matchup with the Florida Gators
. Jones made the first catch of the game, an 18–yard catch from McElroy. The Crimson Tide won the game 32–13, earning a chance to play for the BCS National Championship
in the 2010 title game
against the Texas Longhorns. His 23 yards receiving led the Tide in the title game, as the passing game struggled. However, the running game again took over, and led Alabama to a 37–21 victory.
! rowspan=2|Year !! rowspan=2|GP–GS !! colspan=8|Rushing !! colspan=6|Receiving !! colspan=5|Punt Returns !! colspan=5|Kick Returns>
> 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
58
924
15.9
4
64
66
2
11
5.5
0
10
1
21
21
0
21
> 5
1
4
2
0
5
0.3
43
596
13.9
4
73
45.8
5
75
15
0
33
1
12
12
0
12
> 135
0
135
16.9
2
56
10.4
78
1,133
14.5
7
68
87.2
5
44
8.8
0
41
5
129
25.8
0
36
! 10 !! 140 !! 1 !! 139 !! 13.9 !! 2 !! 56 !! 3.5 !! 179 !! 2,653 !! 14.8 !! 15 !! 73 !! 66.3 !! 12 !! 130 !! 10.8 !! 0 !! 41 !! 7 !! 162 !! 23.1 !! 0 !! 36>
with teammates Mark Ingram
and Marcell Dareus
. Jones was later invited to the "All-Star Football Challenge", a skill contest shown by ESPN
on February 4. He excelled at the 2011 NFL Combine, posting the longest long jump
and the third fastest 40-yard dash among receivers, despite having a broken bone in his foot.
, the Atlanta Falcons
traded up to choose Jones. In return for the pick, the Cleveland Browns
received a total of five draft picks: the 27th, 59th, and 124th picks from the 2011 draft, and Atlanta's first and fourth round picks in 2012. . Jones will wear number 11, the year he got drafted. On July 28, Jones signed a four-year contract worth $16.2 million, which is all guaranteed. He recorded his first NFL touchdown on Week 9 of the 2011 Season, against the Indianapolis Colts
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
. During his sophomore season with Alabama in 2009, he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
2010 BCS National Championship Game
The 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California,...
.
Early years
Jones played his high school career at Foley High SchoolFoley High School
Foley High School is in Foley, Alabama and is part of the Baldwin County Public Schools System.-Alumni:*Ken Stabler is a former football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders , the Houston Oilers , and the New Orleans Saints . Julio Jones, Robert Lester, and D.J Fluker are all football...
in Foley, Alabama
Foley, Alabama
Foley is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States.The 2000 census lists the population of the city as 7,590.Foley is a principal city of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Baldwin County....
. He completed his senior football season in the fall of 2007. Jones participated in the High School Under Armour All-America Game
Under Armour All-America Game
The Under Armour High School All-America Game is a high school football all-star game typically held in early January in the U.S. state of Florida created to spotlight the nation’s top high school seniors. The game was first played on January 5, 2008 and is annually been played at the Citrus Bowl...
, where he was recorded at 6 ft 4 in and 218 lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
.
During his high school career, Julio Jones' dominating play and rare physical attributes quickly identified him as a special athlete. At the Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
camp in May 2007, Jones ran a 4.45 40 yard dash
40 yard dash
The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football...
, an event-best 38.6-inch vertical jump and was recorded at 6'4", 215 pounds. He once ran a 4.38, 40 yard dash when clocked at Foley High School.
The buzz surrounding Jones began to swell to NFL proportions. Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
likened him to wide receiver Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
, saying he was, "a big, physical wideout with great strength, amazing jumping ability and uncanny speed for such a big player." ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
compared to him to another NFL great, saying, "This guy is a unique, rare prospect for the wide receiver position with his supreme blend of size, power, speed and agility. He reminds us of a high school version of Michael Irvin
Michael Irvin
Michael Jerome Irvin is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for NFL Network. Irvin was self-nicknamed "The Playmaker" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his...
, but at this stage Jones is more explosive and faster."
Entering February 2008, Jones was one of the most highly rated and sought after high school football recruits in the country, having been awarded a 5 star rating (the maximum) by national recruiting outlets Rivals.com and Scout.com. Overall, Jones was nationally ranked as the #2 overall prep prospect by ESPN and #4 overall by Rivals.com, being the top-ranked receiver by both. He also drew comparisons to Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
.
Recruitment
Jones and fellow-receiver A.J. Green led a 2008 NCAA recruiting class that is dubbed as being the class that brings back the tall, physical receiver. Being one of the top prep players in the country, many college teams sought his signature on a National Letter of IntentNational Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent is a document used to indicate a student athlete's commitment to participating NCAA colleges and universities in the United States. The NCAA Eligibility Center manages the daily operations of the NLI program while the Collegiate Commissioners Association provides...
. As the recruiting process started to wind down, he narrowed down his possibilities to five schools: Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
, Florida State
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, and Texas Tech
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
. On February 6, 2008, Jones ended months of recruiting, committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
on National Signing Day
National Signing Day
National Signing Day most commonly refers to a day in February, usually on the first Wednesday of that month, which is the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college football with a school that is a member of the NCAA, the main governing body for...
, as he announced his decision live on ESPNU
ESPNU
ESPNU is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced by, affiliated with and owned by parent network ESPN. ESPNU originates out of ESPN Regional Television's ESPNU (often referred to as The U) is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced...
.
Freshman
In the opening game of the 2008 season2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 17th within the SEC Western Division...
, Jones became the first true freshman receiver to start in a season opener for the Crimson Tide, as he started against the Clemson Tigers
2008 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney...
in the 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
The 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff took place on August 30, 2008, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the first game of the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff series. The game featured the No. 9 Clemson Tigers and the No. 24 Alabama Crimson Tide....
. In the game, Jones caught four passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in a 34–10 rout. In a 41–30 win over the #3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs
2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in American football on behalf of the University of Georgia in 2008. The Bulldogs competed in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference . This was the Georgia Bulldogs' eighth season under the guidance of head coach Mark Richt...
, Jones had a breakout performance as he caught five passes for 94 yards, including a 22–yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
. His first 100–yard receiving game occurred in the annual rivalry game
Third Saturday in October
The Third Saturday in October, also known as the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee...
versus Tennessee
2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed...
, as Jones had six receptions for 103 yards en route to a 29–9 victory. However, two weeks later versus #16 LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Jones topped his previous performance with 7 catches for 128 yards. His 23–yard reception in overtime set up a game-winning touchdown by John Parker Wilson, giving Alabama a 27–21 victory. In the 2008 SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
, Jones caught five passes for 124 yards versus a talented Florida Gators
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
secondary. In the first quarter, Jones caught a 64–yard pass which set up the Crimson Tide's first score of the game. However, Alabama fell to #2 Florida 31–20, giving the Crimson Tide their first loss of the year.
On December 8, the Southeastern Conference announced the annual All-SEC first team, second team, and individual awards, as voted by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
. Jones was named to the second team All-SEC, SEC Freshman of the Year, and the SEC Coaches' All-Freshman Team. Jones finished the regular season with 58 receptions, 924 yards, and four touchdowns.
Sophomore
Preceding the 2009 football season, Julio Jones was voted to the All-SEC Coaches' Football Team (first team), one of only four players to be voted such unanimously (along with Florida quarterback Tim TebowTim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
, Tennessee safety Eric Berry
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry , nicknamed "The Fifth Dimension" is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-High school career:Berry played at Creekside High School in...
and LSU offensive lineman Ciron Black
Ciron Black
-Early years:A native of Tyler, Texas, Black attended Robert E. Lee High School, where he was a teammate of Matt Flynn. As a senior, Black averaged four pancake blocks per game and was named first-team 5A all-state in Texas....
).
Jones and Alabama again opened their season at the Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
, this time facing Virginia Tech
2009 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2009 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Frank Beamer...
for the 2009 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
2009 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
The 2009 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff featured the Virginia Tech Hokies, of the ACC, and the Alabama Crimson Tide, of the SEC, on September 5, 2009. The game took place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome. In the 2008 edition, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers 34–10. It was Virginia Tech's...
. However, the Crimson Tide's rushing game dominated the game, led by eventual Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner and teammate, Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
. Jones finished the game with four receptions for 46 yards, with Alabama winning the game 34–24. His first touchdown of the season would not come until the end of September, as the Tide routed the Arkansas Razorbacks
2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2009 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and two home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Head coach...
35–7 in Tuscaloosa. Jones caught a 50–yard touchdown pass from quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
, coming from a trick play, to put Alabama up 14–0 midway through the first quarter. He would finish the game with two catches for 65 yards.
After experiencing what some writers called a "sophomore slump", Jones's production increased during the second half of the 2009 season
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 18th within the SEC Western Division...
. In a rivalry game against LSU, Jones had his first 100–yard performance of the season. He finished with four catches for 102 yards, including a 73–yard game winning touchdown in Alabama's 24–15 victory.
Alabama continued through the regular season undefeated at 12–0, working their way to a SEC Championship
2009 SEC Championship Game
The 2009 SEC Championship Game was played on December 5, 2009, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, to determine the 2009 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide was the designated "home team"; this...
matchup with the Florida Gators
2009 Florida Gators football team
The 2009 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2009 college football season...
. Jones made the first catch of the game, an 18–yard catch from McElroy. The Crimson Tide won the game 32–13, earning a chance to play for the BCS National Championship
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
in the 2010 title game
2010 BCS National Championship Game
The 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California,...
against the Texas Longhorns. His 23 yards receiving led the Tide in the title game, as the passing game struggled. However, the running game again took over, and led Alabama to a 37–21 victory.
College career statistics
2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 17th within the SEC Western Division...
>
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 18th within the SEC Western Division...
>
2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 118th overall season, 78th as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 19th within the SEC Western Division...
>
! 10 !! 140 !! 1 !! 139 !! 13.9 !! 2 !! 56 !! 3.5 !! 179 !! 2,653 !! 14.8 !! 15 !! 73 !! 66.3 !! 12 !! 130 !! 10.8 !! 0 !! 41 !! 7 !! 162 !! 23.1 !! 0 !! 36>
Pre-draft
On January 7, 2011, Jones decided to skip his senior season of college football, instead he chose to declare eligibility for the NFL Draft2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
with teammates Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
and Marcell Dareus
Marcell Dareus
-Buffalo Bills:Dareus was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills on April 28, 2011. On April 29, the day after the first round, the Bills announced that Dareus would wear jersey number 99. On July, 29, 2011, Dareus signed a 4 year deal with the Bills worth...
. Jones was later invited to the "All-Star Football Challenge", a skill contest shown by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
on February 4. He excelled at the 2011 NFL Combine, posting the longest long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
and the third fastest 40-yard dash among receivers, despite having a broken bone in his foot.
Atlanta Falcons
With the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
, the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
traded up to choose Jones. In return for the pick, the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
received a total of five draft picks: the 27th, 59th, and 124th picks from the 2011 draft, and Atlanta's first and fourth round picks in 2012. . Jones will wear number 11, the year he got drafted. On July 28, Jones signed a four-year contract worth $16.2 million, which is all guaranteed. He recorded his first NFL touchdown on Week 9 of the 2011 Season, against the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
.