As a senior Jones was an All Big 8 selection, Big 8 defensive player of the year and consensus All-American at linebacker in 1987. Jones came in 3rd in the Butkus award voting.
As a senior, Jones was selected to the All Big 8 team, received the top defensive player award in the conference, and was named a consensus All-American at linebacker in 1987. Additionally, he finished third in the highly competitive Butkus award voting.