The Jones legacy will continue with the Arkansas Razorbacks after quarterback John Stephen Jones orally committed to Coach Chad Morris on Sunday.
Jones is the grandson of Dallas Cowboys owner and former Hogs offensive lineman Jerry Jones and the son of former Razorback linebacker Stephen Jones, the Cowboys' chief operating officer and executive vice president.
He made an official visit to Fayetteville over the weekend with his father and mother, Karen, a UA graduate.
"I've always wanted to be a Razorback ever since I was a little kid," Jones said. "And getting up there and being able to spend time with the coaches and around some of the players was really awesome."
Jones, 5-10½, 185 pounds, 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Highland Park in Dallas chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Texas Tech, Kansas, SMU and others. ESPN rates him a three-star prospect and the No. 54 pocket-passing quarterback.
Spending time with Morris and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joe Craddock helped with his decision.
"They're just great people," Jones said. "Not only great coaches, but great people and they're really fun to be around and they really understand each other. Guys I would want to go to work for every day."
Jones realized he wanted to be a part of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville program Saturday night during the visit.
"I talked to my parents and got together and decided that's what we wanted to do," Jones said. "They were really excited. It was just a lot of emotions. Just a bunch of happiness, that's for sure."
As a senior, Jones led Highland Park to its second consecutive Class 5A Division II Texas state championship with a 53-49 victory over Manvel.
He was named the offensive MVP after becoming the first Texas high school quarterback to throw for more than 500 yards in a state championship game when he threw for 564 yards and 4 touchdowns.
He completed 242 of 336 yards for 4,186 yards and 53 touchdowns while throwing only 3 interceptions. He rushed 103 times for 673 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Jones was named the Dallas Morning News SportsDay Area Offensive Player of the Year and the Class 5A Player of the Year in Texas.
He looks forward to competing for playing time in Fayetteville.
"Me and Coach Craddock and Coach Morris talked a lot about the offense this weekend, and I'm just going to get in there and hopefully be able to help out," said Jones, who threw for almost 8,000 yards and 90 touchdowns in his career.
Jones' grandfather was happy to hear about his decision.
"He was just really happy for me. He wanted me to do what was best for me and what made me happy, and he's glad it worked out like it did."
He's familiar with several of the current players on the team, including freshman linebacker Bumper Pool, freshman receiver Mike Woods and redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Lindsey, the grandson of former Razorback great Jim Lindsey.
"Bumper is a good friend of mine, and going up there and spending time with him and Mike Woods and some of the other quarterbacks was just a lot of fun to be able to hang out with those guys," Jones said. "It made it a real easy decision for me."
Jones is the 15th member of the 2018 class. Oral commitments are nonbinding.
Sports on 02/05/2018