Felix Jones

Infobox NFLactive


name=Felix Jones
width=200px
caption=Felix Jones during his college years at Arkansas
currentteam=Dallas Cowboys
currentnumber=28
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1987|5|8
birthplace=Tulsa, Oklahoma
heightft=5
heightin=10
weight=207
debutyear=2008
debutteam=Dallas Cowboys
college=Arkansas
draftyear=2008
draftround=1
draftpick=22
pastteams=
* Dallas Cowboys (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* 2x Second-team All-SEC (2005, 2007)
* First-team All-SEC (2006)
* Third-team AP All-American (2007)
* Week 2 NFL Rookie of the Week (2008)
* Week 3 NFL Rookie of the Week (2008)
* Week 5 NFL Rookie of the Week (2008)
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Rushing yards
statvalue1=244
statlabel2=Rushing average
statvalue2=9.0
statlabel3=Rushing TDs
statvalue3=3
nfl=JON313929

Felix Jones (born May 8, 1987 in city-state|Tulsa|Oklahoma) is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. After playing college football at Arkansas, he was drafted by the Cowboys 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.

College career

While serving primarily as the back-up for All-American and two time Doak Walker Award winner Darren McFadden, Jones was used in a variety of ways alongside McFadden and fullback Peyton Hillis in the Arkansas backfield. In the Wildhog formation, Jones was used as a runner, receiver, blocker, or simply a decoy. Jones gained fame for his ability in returning kickoffs; using his speed, ability to dodge tacklers, and block reading ability, Jones returned four kickoffs for touchdowns.

Sophomore season

In the 2006 season, Jones rushed for 1,168 yards and scored 6 touchdowns on only 154 carries, and averaged an impressive 7.6 yards per carry. Felix was also an all-American kickoff returner and had one TD on a 100-yard kickoff return against Ole Miss, and caught 15 passes for 107 yards and 3 touchdowns. With Jones alongside McFadden, 2006 was the first time in University of Arkansas history that two different running backs rushed for more than 1,000 yards in the same season. Felix was named 1st Team SEC by the conference's coaches, and 2nd Team SEC by the media. That team finished 10-4 and won the SEC West Division title. [http://www.hogwired.com/pdf1/56895.pdf?ATCLID=576333&SPID=2431&DB_OEM_ID=6100&SPSID=33239]

Junior season

Jones' junior campaign looks to have met the standard of his sophomore season. He finished with 123 carries for 1,117 yards and 11 TDs, while averaging a whopping 9.1 yards per carry, leading the nation. In addition, Felix led the Southeastern Conference in kickoff returns with 18 for 564 yards and 2 TDs, averaging 31.3 yards per return. Felix also had 13 receptions for 111 yards. 2007 marked the second straight year that Jones and McFadden have each eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in a season. The 2007 Razorbacks finished 8-4 before losing to Missouri in the January 1, 2008 Cotton Bowl. Felix was named to the 2007 1st Team SEC squad as a kick returner, and 2nd team SEC as a running back. He was also named an All-American kick returner.

After Bobby Petrino was hired by the Razorbacks as head coach, he stated that Jones was his "highest recruiting target." In one of his first acts upon being named head coach, Petrino met with Jones to discuss his future with Arkansas. However, Jones decided to skip his senior season to enter the 2008 NFL Draft where numerous publications projected him to be taken in the first or second round.

Career statistics

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Jones was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round, 22nd overall, of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a professional contract on July 26 for $10.53 million, with $7.67 million guaranteed, including a $3.57 million signing bonus. [cite web| url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=6220153D-CA5F-9755-0365F8ADBA3C0F6C| title=Felix Jones signs; Arrives for second practice| publisher=Dallas Cowboys| author=Phillips, Rob| date=2008-07-26| accessdate=2008-09-15]

On his first rushing attempt in the NFL, Jones ran for an 11–yard touchdown during the third quarter in a 28–10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. He finished the game with nine carries for 62–yards. [cite web| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280907005| title=Romo throws for 320 yards, Dallas defense controls Cleveland| publisher=ESPN| date=2008-09-07| accessdate=2008-09-15] On 15 September, 2008, during a Monday Night Football game versus the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones returned a 98–yard kickoff for a touchdown in the first quarter. Jones was the starting kick returner during the Cowboys' 41–37 win against Philly. [cite web| url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280915006| title=T.O. moves into 2nd on TD receptions list as Cowboys win shootout with Eagles| publisher=ESPN| date=2008-09-15| accessdate=2008-09-15]

In his 3rd NFL game, Jones ran for a 60-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on September 21, 2008. [http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280921009]

Career statistics

External links

* [http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30724&SPID=2419&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=187500&Q_SEASON=2006 Arkansas Razorbacks bio]
* [http://lb.dallascowboys.com/team_bios.cfm?playerID=A572B3F6-DC56-4B06-557381006374BF7D Dallas Cowboys bio]