FAYETTEVILLE — Redshirt freshman John Stephen Jones is one of seven quarterbacks to take game snaps at Arkansas the past two seasons.
The former Texas prep standout will become the sixth Razorback quarterback to start a game when he leads Arkansas (2-7) against visiting Western Kentucky (5-4) Saturday at 11 a.m.
“It feels pretty good,” Jones said. “Just ready to get to work.”
Jones is the grandson of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and son of Cowboys president Stephen Jones. Both are former Razorback players.
Jerry Jones was excited to talk about John Stephen Tuesday on his 105.3 The Fan radio show in Dallas.
“Oh, I’ll tell you, I’m so proud of him,” Jerry Jones said. “He got some really good snaps against Alabama, the No. 1 team in the nation, and came back last week and got a touchdown. For him to get a start at quarterback in the SEC, you can have no one on this planet that appreciates that long journey and the ups and downs it takes to get there than Old Papa. I’m really proud of him, and going to be there to watch his first warmup throw.”
John Stephen completed 505 of 777 passes for 7,965 yards, 90 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and ran 265 times for 674 yards and 19 touchdowns during his career at Highland Park High School. He knows he has made his family proud.
“He is just excited for his family,” John Stephen Jones said of his grandfather. “We love each other to death so I am sure he is excited.”
Jones has played in five games in his career and has completed 11 of 22 passes for 79 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
He is 10 of 16 this season for 74 yards and both touchdowns while playing in losses to Alabama and Mississippi State. Jones entered the Mississippi State game in the second quarter with the Razorbacks trailing 38-10. He was greeted by a big ovation but said he didn't notice.
“I am just focused on the game,” Jones said. “I am not really worried about the fans. I am just worried about the quarterback situation.”
Jones is replacing Ben Hicks and Nick Starkel, who have rotated but combined to start all nine games at quarterback for Arkansas this season.
“I was just going into every week with the feeling that there is a chance you are going to play,” Jones said. “Because when you get thrown in, you never know when it is going to be and you just have to be ready.”
Jones is expected to split time with true freshman KJ Jefferson, who saw the first action of his career last week and led the offense to a four-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
“KJ is incredible and he has learned a lot and learned a lot fast,” Jones said. “He’s a freshman and he comes in and asks a lot of questions in our meetings and he has really grown as far as I can see. I am excited to see him play again on Saturday.”
Jones is hopeful to send Arkansas' seniors out with a victory in their final home game in Fayetteville.
“The seniors have been great to me and they have been great for this football team,” Jones said. “We owe it to them. It is the last time for them to put on the helmet in this stadium. To go out there and get a win would mean a lot to them and a lot to me, too.”
Jones has had contact with Ty Storey this week. Storey, who started nine games at Arkansas last season, will start at quarterback for Western Kentucky.
“He shot me a text after Alabama and told me congratulations on my first career touchdown pass,” Jones said. “Me and Ty are really good friends and it is going to be fun to see him on Saturday.”
He’s also had plenty of communication with Connor Noland, the former Arkansas quarterback who was in the same signing class with Jones. Noland is now a pitcher for the Razorbacks' baseball team.
“He’s my roommate so unfortunately I had to talk to him,” Jones said with a laugh. “Connor is one of my best friends. I live with him so we have a lot of camaraderie.”