Tony Jones Jr. Explains Decision To Skip Final Season At Notre Dame

Notre Dame running back Tony Jones Jr. is off to the NFL and while the decision may surprise some, the Florida native is betting on himself. 

"I have faith in myself," Jones told Irish Sports Daily. "I think I proved to the country that I'm a good back. I'm smart. I'm good in the pass game, I have speed and now I just need a chance." 

The deciding factor for Jones, who had one more year of eligibility left, was talking to those closest to him, but also questioning himself in the process. 

"Prayer, talking with my family and people around me," Jones said of his decision. "I got to hear what they thought of my game. 

"The same question is asked. How fast am I? If that's the only question, then there isn't a reason for me to prolong it. I might as well face it and run a 40." 

Jones arrived at Notre Dame and redshirted as a freshman in 2016 before running for 1,481 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns in three years for the Irish. 

2019 was the big year for Jones as rushed for 857 yards and scored seven touchdowns. 

The 5-foot-11, 224-pounder will also be the first to admit he needed Notre Dame on and off the field.

"I would say it was well needed," stated Jones. "Going into college, I thought I didn't have to do much. When I got there and got around dudes who wanted the same goal as me, I wanted to learn more. Going through the ups and downs made me a stronger person. 

"Notre Dame helped me grow as a man and a player. Notre Dame has given me a great opportunity past sports." 

Notre Dame fans will likely remember Jones taking a short pass from Ian Book 51 yards to the house to seal the 2018 USC game and a spot in the College Football Playoff. 

They will also remember Jones sprinting 84 yards to the house against Iowa State last Saturday, which included a 15-yard stiff arm.

"Going into the game, I knew the question about me was about my speed," Jones said of his run in the Camping World Bowl. "Do I have breakaway speed? 

"When I broke out, I was telling myself not to get caught. I scored and I looked at my dad and he shrugged his shoulders. That was the answer to the question. 

"I'm fast, but I never ran track or anything. I don't have technique to my running. If I can add that to my game, then it would be over."

Jones completed his degree from Notre Dame in December and majored in film, television and theatre.