The good soldier in the Texas receiving unit, Jones patiently bided his time, waiting for that opportunity to again be a starter for the Longhorns. After starting five games as a true freshman at split end and slot receiver, the talented youngster toiled in a reserve role for two seasons before an injury to Billy Pittman thrust him back into the lineup.

Jones switched to flanker as a sophomore, backing up Quan Cosby at that position. He then shifted behind All-Big 12 Conference split end Limas Sweed for his junior campaign. With Sweed and Pittman on the sidelines nursing wounds in 2007, Jones took over the flanker position, going on to lead the team with 70 receptions, far surpassing the total of 29 catches he had during his first three years at Texas.

At Texas High School, Jones was a two-way All-State performer and three-year starter at wide receiver. He also played cornerback, free safety and some quarterback, helping his squad post a 35-5 record in his three seasons, including a state title as a junior. He made 41 receptions for 700 yards and eight touchdowns, while also rushing for two scores and grabbing two interceptions his senior season, leading the squad to a 13-1 record and a spot in the state semifinals that year.

Jones made 59 catches for 979 yards and eight touchdowns with two rushing scores and four interceptions as a junior, as the team posted a 14-1 record and captured the Class 4A Division I State Championship that year. He snatched 10 catches for 179 yards and threw a 50-yard touchdown in the state championship game in 2002. He also recorded 51 catches for 759 yards and five touchdowns to go with seven interceptions as a sophomore. He added three letters in basketball and two in track-amd-field.

As a true freshman at Texas, Jones started five of 11 games, lining up at split end and in the slot. But he managed just seven catches for 73 yards (10.4 avg). He shifted to flanker in 2005, backing up Cosby while grabbing nine passes for 67 yards (7.4 avg) and one touchdown.

As a junior, Jones again shifted positions, serving as a reserve split end. He managed to grab 13 passes for 153 yards (11.8 avg), finding the end zone three times. His senior campaign saw the Academic All-Big 12 choice take over flanker duties. He tied Roy Williams (2003) for second on the school single-season record list with 70 receptions, good for 795 yards (11.4 avg) and five touchdowns in his final season.

In 49 games at Texas, Jones started 18 contests, including 13 at flanker, three at split end and two at slot receiver. He ranks tied for ninth in school history with 99 receptions, gaining 1,088 yards (11.0 avg) with nine touchdowns. He also carried once for a 3-yard loss.

Positives: Has a tall, angular frame with long limbs, a bit high cut, but has good hip snap and a frame that can carry additional bulk … Has good balance to make the adjustment catches in traffic … Gets good separation out of his cuts and shows adequate acceleration after the catch … Has good field vision, knowing the proper techniques to arm extend in traffic and come back quickly for the underneath tosses … Has some initial burst off the line, showing sustained speed and fluid acceleration through his routes … Good short-area route runner, finding spots in the zone to settle under … Has some agility to elude and the body adjustment skills to turn and haul in the off-target tosses … Can separate from the initial tackler after the catch … Very aware of the sideline markers and maintains balance racing down the sidelines … Can deliver a nice stiff-arm to gain extra yardage, as he works hard to gain most of his yardage after securing the ball … Adjusts to uncover and is very aware of the sidelines … Adjusts to the ball in flight and is very effective on hitch and short routes … Will go up and compete for the ball in traffic … Shows flexibility and quick hands to get to the off-target tosses.

Negatives: Lacks blocking skills, as he shows good intent but does not have the strength to maintain position and will get walked back into the pocket … Needs to improve his overall strength, as he can be rerouted vs. a physical press … Has good timed speed, but does not show good explosion off the snap to get a clean release and surprise a lethargic defender … Somewhat sluggish coming out of his breaks when he takes extra steps … Has problems vs. the jam and needs to use multiple moves in order to beat the defensive back on deep routes … Used mostly on controlled routes because of his inability to use his timed speed to escape and get into the deep patterns … Despite his speed, he is not too elusive when heading to the second level … Has problems eluding defenders upfield, as he shows just a limited burst running with the ball … Will gather at the top of his routes and does not finish his deep patterns well (drifts and takes soft angle cuts).

Compares To: GREG LEWIS-Philadelphia … Jones' ability to play all of the receiver positions will help him in a battle for a roster spot. He has very good timed speed, but needs to do a better job combating the press, as he gets too jammed up and rerouted by the more physical cornerbacks and will face a steady diet of bump-and-run action in the NFL. He is a savvy player with good field vision. If a team uses him in the slot, he will be a decent chain mover, especially if used on controlled routes.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.41 in the 40-yard dash … 1.55 10-yard dash … 2.56 20-yard dash … 4.18 20-yard shuttle … 7.03 three-cone drill … 32-inch vertical jump … 9'5" broad jump.

Combine: Did not receive an invitation.

Attended Texas (Texarkana, Texas) High School, playing football for head coach Barry Norton … Two-way All-State performer and three-year starter at wide receiver … Also played cornerback, free safety and some quarterback, helping his squad post a 35-5 record in his three seasons, including a state title as a junior … Made 41 receptions for 700 yards and eight touchdowns, while also rushing for two scores and grabbing two interceptions his senior season, leading the squad to a 13-1 record and a spot in the state semifinals that year … Had 59 catches for 979 yards and eight touchdowns with two rushing scores and four interceptions as a junior, as the team posted a 14-1 record and captured the Class 4A Division I State Championship that year … Snatched 10 catches for 179 yards and threw a 50-yard touchdown in the state championship game in 2002 … Also recorded 51 catches for 759 yards and five touchdowns to go with seven interceptions as a sophomore … Added three letters in basketball and two in track-and-field … Honor student who maintained better than a 3.0 GPA … Named to Who's Who Among American High School Students in 2003 … Was on the National Honor Roll from 2001-03 … Earned the National Outstanding Academic Achievement Award in 2002 and the President's Education Award in 2000 … Named to the National Society of High School Scholars in 2003 and the Outstanding Young Men of Texarkana.

Graduated in December 2007 (three-and-a-half years) with a degree in Youth and Community Studies and a minor in Business … 2007 first-team Academic All-Big 12 Conference performer and a three-time member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll … Active in UT's community service program … Volunteered time with Race for the Cure (cancer fundraising), Bring Hope Home (elderly) and the United Way Telethon … Served as a mentor for elementary school students … Father, Nathan, played linebacker and defensive back at Arkansas (1981-84) … Born Nathan DeWayne Jones on 12/30/85 in Texarkana, Texas.