Former five-star quarterback recruit Paul Jones has left the Penn St. Nittany Lions football program due to personal reasons, head coach Bill O'Brien announced Thursday. The news confirms a StateCollege.com report earlier in the day that stated the second-string tight end was leaving school because he was unhappy with his role. Jones did not attend Penn State's practice on Tuesday.
Jones (6'3, 258 pounds) becomes one of the many former Joe Paterno recruits to leave the school for personal reasons. Out of high school, the redshirt junior was recruited to compete for the Nittany Lions' starting quarterback position, which is currently held down by Matt McGloin. Under O'Brien, Jones was playing the "F" tight end spot where he caught just two passes.
Entering the season, Jones was a fan favorite to possible win the No. 1 quarterback job after sitting out the 2011 seasons because of academic reasons. However, Jones was surpassed on the depth chart by freshman Steven Bench and became frustrated with his role after being moved to tight end prior to the Virginia Cavaliers game on Sept. 8.