From wide receiver to running back: the evolving professional journey of Velus Jones Jr.
In short: Born in Mobile, Alabama, Velus Jones Jr. has navigated a complex professional football career defined by positional shifts and frequent roster moves. After a standout collegiate tenure at USC and Tennessee, Jones entered the NFL in 2022, eventually transitioning from wide receiver to running back in a quest for longevity.
Velus Tyler Phillip Jones Jr. was born on May 11, 1997, and grew up in Saraland, Alabama. His athletic potential was evident early, as he earned first-team All-State honors twice during his high school career. Jones initially committed to USC, de-committed, briefly pledged to Oklahoma, and ultimately returned to USC. His college trajectory included a redshirt freshman season as a primary kick returner and a productive stint at Tennessee as a graduate transfer.
At Tennessee, Jones utilized an extra year of eligibility granted due to the coronavirus pandemic. His 2021 season was particularly notable, as he earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors. This performance helped him secure a spot in the 2022 NFL draft, where the Chicago Bears selected him in the third round with the 71st overall pick. His early professional tenure in Chicago was marked by both flashes of potential and challenges, including multiple muffed punts and a transition to the running back position announced in August 2024.
Following his release from the Bears in October 2024, Jones began a period of rapid movement across several NFL organizations. He spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints before joining the Seattle Seahawks. His tenure with Seattle included an appearance in Super Bowl LX, where he contributed to a 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots. As of his recent career phase, Jones has continued to adapt his skill set to maintain his role as a professional athlete.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Velus Jones Jr.
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