Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. earned Co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his returning success against South Alabama.
The Saraland, Alabama native returned a kick 96 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter against the Jaguars. It was Jones. Jr’s first kick return touchdown at Tennessee and the second in his career.
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Jones Jr. added 47 punt return yards in three attempts in the 60-14 win.
“It’s a blessing to be honest, but I couldn’t have done it without my brothers putting their body on the line for me blocking, straining to finish their blocks,” Jones Jr. said. “It was definitely a unit effort by the kick off return team.”
The redshirt-senior receiver shared the honor with Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis who three-of-four on field goals making attempts from 31, 39 and 46 yards in the Tigers’ win over Missouri.
The slot receiver had a big day on the offensive side of the ball too, catching six passes for 103 yards in the win.
Under first year head coach Josh Heupel, Jones Jr. has had a big senior season, catching 50 passes for 700 yards and six touchdowns. In his first four years of college football, Jones Jr. combined for 58 catches, 627 yards and four touchdowns.
Meeting with the media Monday, Jones Jr. said his ultimate goal growing up was to play in the SEC but he does plan on pursuing a career in the NFL.
Before Jones Jr. turns his focus to the NFL, he has two more games in the orang-and-white. The Alabama native’s senior day is Saturday against Vanderbilt. The Vols and Commodores kick off at Neyland Stadium at 3:45 p.m. ET. SEC Network will broadcast the game.
