Volunteer Country

Watch: Vols WR Velus Jones Jr. is Presented an Invite to Senior Bowl From Special Teammate

Velus Jones Jr. becomes the second Vol to be invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl, and he finds out through teammate Alontae Taylor.

Jack Foster

Alontae Taylor officially received an invite to the Reese's Senior Bowl last week, and this week, he is presenting an invitation to fellow senior and Mobile, Alabama, native Velus Jones Jr. 

"Last week, I received my Reese's Bowl invite. This week, Velus Jones Jr. receives his invite," Alontae Taylor said before presenting the invite. "I'm excited to present it to him because he's earned it. He worked so hard for it. So, another Mobile kid going home to show off his talents in front of his friends and family. Can't wait to show it to him."

When Taylor walked into the room Jones Jr. was in, the senior cornerback said, "So, I know we talked about that it has always been your dream to go to the Senior Bowl. We're roommates and we talked about it. I'm excited to present to you your invite to the Senior Bowl."

Excited and overwhelmed with joy, Jones noted it was "A dream come true."

"I grew up in Mobile. I've been going to the Senior Bowl since I can remember," Jones said. "I've looked at those players as if they were superheroes. For me to be in this situation is crazy, I could shed a tear right now. I'm coming home."

Taylor and Jones Jr. are the first two seniors to receive an invite to the Senior Bowl that will be played in February, as both players will look to show off their talents one more time ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Velus Jones Jr. had a career year for the Vols in 2021, as the Mobile native caught 52 balls for 722 yards and six touchdowns while also adding 35 total kick/punt returns for 778 yards and a score.

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Jack Foster
JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.

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