Though drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 1985, injuries prevented him from playing in the National Football League (NFL).
[4] Jones is one of three Munford High School athletes, along with baseball pitcher Aaron Fultz and volleyball star Scarlet Gable, to have his number retired.
[4] He played only sparingly during his freshman year in 1981, rushing for 25 yards on 4 carries as a backup to veteran running back James Berry.
[7] During his sophomore season in 1982, Jones emerged from spring practice the starter,[7] but split playing time with juniors Chuck Coleman and Randall Morris.
He rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries in the Vols' 31–21 loss to Georgia Tech on October 23, and was named the team's "Offensive Player of the Week."
Six days later, with his family watching from the stands, he erupted for 148 yards on 20 attempts, including a 41-yard touchdown, in Tennessee's blowout win over The Citadel.
[10][11] Perhaps the most memorable play of Jones' career came in Tennessee's game against rival Alabama, which took place at Legion Field on October 15.
On a 3rd-down play, Jones took a pitch from Alan Cockrell, dodged several defenders, and raced 66 yards to the end zone to score what would prove to be the winning touchdown.
[12] After missing the Georgia Tech game with an injury, Jones returned for a record-breaking performance on October 29 against Rutgers, rushing for 234 yards on 41 attempts.
[2] Jones broke his own rushing record in Tennessee's 34–24 win over Vanderbilt on November 26 at Neyland Stadium, running for 248 yards.
[14] On the second play of the 4th quarter, after Vanderbilt had seized the momentum and had taken a 24–20 lead, Jones broke through the Commodore defense and raced 70 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
[15] In Tennessee's wild 30–23 victory over Maryland in the 1983 Florida Citrus Bowl, Jones rushed for 154 yards on 29 carries, and scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter.
[19] After missing most of the Auburn game with an injury, Jones ran for 94 yards and a 4th-quarter touchdown in Tennessee's 43–30 loss to Florida, though he was largely outshone by teammate Tony Robinson's record-setting performance at quarterback.
[28] He led the SEC in rushing yardage, and was fifth in the nation behind Keith Byars, Rueben Mayes, Kenneth Davis, and Steve Morgan.
[41] Jones was injured during much of the 1988 season,[42] and a bad knee and nagging hamstring injury eventually forced his retirement from the game.