Jones Jr. Takes Home SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year Honors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee redshirt senior Velus Jones Jr. was named the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, as announced by the league office on Wednesday afternoon.

Jones becomes just the second UT player to be named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in program history, joining Evan Berry, who won it in 2015.

Velus Jones Jr – Vols WR-RS / Credit: UT Athletics

Jones, who shared this year’s award with Alabama’s Jameson Williams, was named to the Coaches All-SEC first team as an all-purpose player and a return specialist on Tuesday. He is just the second Vol to earn All-SEC first-team accolades since 2016, joining VFL and current starter for the Kansas City Chiefs, Trey Smith (2019 & 2020).

The Saraland, Alabama, native has been one of Tennessee’s top weapons on offense and in the return game this season. Jones is the only player in the nation with 700-plus receiving yards (722), 500-plus kickoff return yards (506) and 200-plus punt return yards (272). He ranks third in the SEC in all-purpose yards, averaging 126.3 per game.

A dynamic return man, Jones leads the SEC in punt return average (16.0) and ranks second in kickoff return average (28.1). His 2,851 career kickoff return yards lead all active FBS players. The redshirt senior was named the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after recording his second-career kickoff return for a touchdown in a 60-14 win against South Alabama on Nov. 20, weaving through defenders and breaking tackles on his way to a 96-yard house call.

A week later, Jones nearly added a punt return touchdown to his name with a career-long 50-yard return in the first quarter of Tennessee’s 45-21 victory over Vanderbilt on Senior Day. For the year, Jones has 22 total returns (kickoff & punt) of 20 or more yards, including seven of 30-plus yards and three of 40-plus yards.

Jones Named Reese’s Senior Bowl All-American
It was also announced on Wednesday that Jones was named a 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl All-American as a punt returner. The Alabama native has accepted an invitation to play in the 2021 Senior Bowl on Feb. 5 in Mobile, Alabama, just outside of his hometown of Saraland.

The complete list of 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl All-Americans can be seen HERE.

Bowl Game & 2022 Season Ticket Info
Tennessee will conclude its 2021 campaign with a trip to Nashville for the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. ET and tickets can be purchased by visiting the Music City Bowl’s website or by clicking HERE.

Existing season ticket holders can renew their tickets for the 2022 season now by visiting AllVols.com. Fans wishing to purchase new season tickets for the 2022 season can submit a request by clicking HERE.

2021 Tennessee Postseason Honors

P Paxton Brooks
CoSIDA Academic All-District III – First Team

DL Matthew Butler
CoSIDA Academic All-District III – First Team

DB Theo Jackson
Coaches All-SEC – Second Team (Defensive Back)

WR/RS Velus Jones Jr.
SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year
Coaches All-SEC – First Team (All-Purpose, Return Specialist)
Reese’s Senior Bowl All-American (Punt Returner)
Reese’s Senior Bowl Invitee

OL Cade Mays
Coaches All-SEC – Second Team (Offensive Line)

DB Alontae Taylor
Reese’s Senior Bowl Invitee