Growing up in Paterson, N.J., Tony Jones saw most of his peers fall short of their childhood dreams. Even his four older siblings did not earn a college degree, something Colorado's fifth-year senior running back now proudly holds.

"Drugs, gangs, lack of ambition, early pregnancy keeping girls and guys from going to college. There are a lot of reasons people in my hometown don't better their situation," said Jones, who graduated in May and is now entering his final season on the field with the Buffs.

Paterson is the second-most densely populated city in the U.S. with over 100,000 people, behind only New York City. According to FBI crime data, it is also one of the 10 most dangerous cities in the U.S. with under 200,000 residents.

Jones admits that he felt peer pressure almost every day growing up. He feels fortunate to be where he is today, and said he will be more proud of the education he received at CU than anything he did on the football field.

"What he has overcome is amazing," said Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre. "When you are playing football and going to school, you are sore, all the work, all the late night papers, for him to be able to do what he has done, I have been very impressed. He has unbelievable work ethic."

In April, Jones was one of two recipients of CU's Clancy A. Herbst Jr. student-athlete achievement award, presented to those athletes who overcome personal, academic or emotional challenges to succeed both academically and athletically.

"It meant a lot for Colorado to give me that award. I feel honored, just thinking about a lot of stuff from freshman year, coming to a new place and figuring things out here," Jones said. "I got good grades, saw the teachers in their office hours. Coach 'Mac' always tells us to let them know that you are interested; sit in the front, raise you hand and just let them know that you are all-in."

Jones also credits the tutelage he received from the Don Bosco Prep coaches, including head coach Gary Toal, during his high school days for helping keep him on the straight and narrow. He rushed for a total of 61 touchdowns and helped the team to a 47-1 overall record during his prep career.

"When [fellow New Jersey based Buff] Terrel Smith and I go home now, we try to be mentors and try to set a positive example. When they talk about going to parties, we talk about wanting to stay in and watch a movie or watch film, or go workout," said Jones. "We definitely want to set a positive example for them so they can achieve what we have."

Jones is working on a minor in Education this fall to go with his Ethnic Studies degree because his future goal is to help younger kids attend school instead of being on the streets.

"There is something better out there for them, it is just sometimes they don't see it themselves," he said.

For now, Jones is preparing for his final season in black-and-gold. He is one of four running backs on the roster that MacIntyre has said he has confidence putting out there against Pac-12 competition. Jones has gained 1,273 yards of offense and scored nine touchdowns so far as a Buff.

Jones joked that he won't miss preseason camp, winter conditioning or any of the other strenuous periods involved with being a college football player after he exhausts his eligibility, but admitted he is going to miss being at CU "a lot."

"I approach it with open eyes. I won't speak for other running backs, but for me, I approach it as all of us running backs are going to contribute to this team and we are definitely going to be a factor."

"My identity is getting north-and-south, and being able to find the holes and being able to get to the third level and make some moves on the safeties or corners. I am definitely excited for it."

"He is definitely a fun back, definitely funny, but he works hard. Just like the rest of our running backs, we can joke around but when it is business, it is business. We can't bring the funny business to the field because we have to get work done here. But up in the Dal Ward [Center], when we don't have meetings, we joke around. But when we're on the field it is business and that is all we want to do."

"Exactly. He is definitely doing good. Him being a bigger back than the other three running backs, he can definitely punch a hole in the defense and get a first-down. Either me, Phillip or Michael Adkins can come in and get the drive going. I definitely appreciate him and all the hard work he puts in."

"I would classify him as both. He has speed and he is definitely well-rounded like Phillip and I, too. He is definitely going to do the things that he wants to this year. He is working hard at everything he is doing."

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