UPDATE:

Well it’s official now.

UPDATE:

A source close to the situation has told me that “no decision” has been made. The wording in the article on UND.com has also been changed to reflect the current situation more accurately:

“And, although his time with this specific group of players has come to an end, he shared the satisfaction in what was left behind by the senior class.”

4:15 EST 12/30

Now that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have finished their 2019 season with an 11-2 record and a little bit of extra hope for the future, we start to look towards that future and the roster. Part of that is figuring out who will play for a 5th year in South Bend, and who will move on to the NFL, as a transfer, or do something else with their lives.

Just a short while ago, Ian Book announced that he will be returning to Notre Dame for his 5th and final year, and now I finally see an article from Saturday about running back Tony Jones Jr. that seriously paints the picture that the Camping World Bowl was the last game Jones would play for the Irish.

On UND.com, Claire Kraemer wrote an interesting article entitled “Remember the Name: Tony Jones Jr.” that was published shortly after Notre Dame’s 33-9 win over the Iowa St. Cyclones.

A few excerpts from that piece:

“To be honest, when I talked to my dad, I wanted to leave my mark here,” Jones expressed after the Irish rolled to a 33-9 win over the Cyclones of Iowa State.

...And, although Jones Jr.’s time as No. 6 for the Irish has come to an end, he shared the satisfaction in what was left behind by the senior class.

Jones has not announced anything via social media (the usual route) but this article from Notre Dame’s own site really feels like it’s telling the world what will happen.

In 2019, Tony ran 144 times for 878 yards and 6 touchdowns and added 15 receptions for 104 yards and another score. For his career, Jones rushed 271 times for 1481 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 27 passes for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns.

While the last image of Tony Jones Jr. may very well be that 84 yard TD run in the Camping World Bowl, it’s his long TD receptions against the USC Trojans in 2018 that sealed the game and a 12-0 season that will forever live in my heart.

If this was indeed the last we have seen of Tony with a gold helmet on, I want to wish him the very best luck in the future with his Notre Dame degree.