Chris Jones came to Texas last year as a top 12 player in both as a wide receiver nationally and the state of Texas regionally.
Nearly two years later and after never seeing the field, Jones is on his way out of Austin.
The receiver announced Tuesday that he has decided to transfer from the Longhorns football program. In a statement, Jones said he wanted to be closer to his Daingerfield, Tex., home.
“This was a very tough decision, but I want to get closer to home for personal reasons with my family,” Jones said. “I love Texas, and I’ve been with these guys for two years, and we’re family, but things don’t always go according to the plan that you make. I’ll still text them, joke with them, talk to them and everything we do now.”
Jones used his redshirt season in 2010 and has not played in 2011.
“We appreciate everything Chris has done for the program,” head coach Mack Brown said. “He felt he needed to be closer to his family and we understand and respect that. We wish nothing but success for him in the future.”
If Jones does indeed want to transfer to be closer to home and continue his collegiate career at the 1-A level, SMU or even Baylor would seem to be logical options. Jones was offered by the latter coming out of high school.
As a four-star member of UT’s 2010 recruiting class, Jones was the No. 12 player in Texas and the No. 11 receiver in the country according to Rivals.com.