Tag: Velus Jones Jr.

Velus Jones Jr. discusses Harrison Bailey’s first start

Florida defeated Tennessee, 31-19.

Freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey made his first career start for Tennessee against Florida.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Bailey finished the contest 14-of-21 for 111 yards and one touchdown. He split time with Brian Maurer and J.T. Shrout at the quarterback position against Florida.

In the contest, redshirt senior wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. was targeted eight times, recording four receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown.

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Following Tennessee’s 31-19 loss to the Gators, Jones Jr. discussed Bailey’s performance in his first start.

“The kid played a good game as a true freshman,” Jones Jr. said of Bailey. “It’s many freshmen who can’t fill in those shoes or can’t come in starting their freshman year, so I feel like he had a great game.

“He came in and did what he was supposed to do. We had zero turnovers, and that’s pretty much all you can ask from an offense.”

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Vols have ‘to find ways’ in getting Velus Jones Jr. the ball

Jeremy Pruitt discusses Velus Jones Jr. and the Tennessee offense.

KNOXVILLE – Third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt took part in his weekly appearance during the SEC teleconference Wednesday.

Pruitt was asked about graduate transfer senior wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. and his lack of being a factor within Tennessee’s offense this season.

“He’s a guy that we feel like has playmaking ability,” Pruitt said of Jones. “We’ve got to find ways to get him the ball and give him an opportunity to do that. We’ve got to create some design plays and take advantage of his ability.”

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 01, 2020 – Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

Jones arrived at Tennessee during the spring semester. The coronavirus pandemic caused for Tennessee to end spring football after two practices.

“For one, him getting here, we didn’t have spring ball, right,” Pruitt said. “So, he’s never been in our system. I don’t have to go into how unique this entire season has been for somebody that is a first-time guy.

“He’s a guy that we, definitely over the next four weeks, want to get him more involved in the offense. He’s a good leader on our team that works hard. We need to find ways to take advantage of his ability.”

Jones has recorded nine receptions for 58 yards in six games this season.

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Tennessee adds graduate transfer wide receiver from USC

Tennessee adds graduate transfer wide receiver from USC.

KNOXVILLE — Only one week removed from a Gator Bowl victory over Indiana, it has already been a productive offseason for Tennessee football.

The Vols added another piece to their team on Thursday, as former USC wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. announced on his Twitter account that he will transfer to Tennessee to play out his final season of eligibility.

A native of Saraland, Ala., Jones was recruited heavily by Butch Jones and his staff to Tennessee, but elected to go to the west coast and play for USC. Current Tennessee wide receivers coach Tee Martin recruited Jones to Los Angeles as part of the 2016 recruiting class when Martin was on Clay Helton’s offensive staff.

As a three-star prospect on the 247 Sports Composite, Jones was rated the No. 79 wide receiver in his class, and held offers from schools such as Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma and Florida.

Jones had a limited role in USC’s offense, catching just 36 passes for 347 yards and one touchdown through three seasons, as well as an eight-yard touchdown run against Arizona State. The Trojans often utilized his speed, however, particularly in the kick return game. He nearly reached 2,000 kick return yards with a 24-yard average and one kick return for a touchdown.

Jones comes to Tennessee in a week where the Vols welcome early enrollees on campus, bringing in offensive lineman Cade Mays as a transfer from Georgia and announce that offensive lineman Trey Smith will return for his senior season.

The new Volunteer also joins former Nebraska wideout Miles Jones as Tennessee transfers. Both players enter a wide receiver room that loses its top two players to the NFL Draft in Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway.