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.
Jones, as a senior, earned recognition as a top performer in the Big 8 conference, taking home the defensive player of the year honor and being named a consensus All-American at linebacker in 1987. He also placed third in the prestigious Butkus award voting.