Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Paul Jones has left the football program due to personal reasons, head coach Bill O'Brien has announced Thursday. The news confirms a StateCollege.com's story earlier in the day that reported the redshirt junior, who was a former five-star quarterback recruit, was unhappy with his role with the team.
Jones (6'3, 258) was being used as the Nittany Lions' "F" tight end, where he had caught just two passes in two games. Entering the season, Jones was expected to compete for Penn State's starting quarterback job after sitting out last season because of academic issues.
However, Jones lost the job to current starting quarterback Matt McGloin and was surpassed on the depth chart by freshman quarterback Steven Bench. Jones was moved to tight end prior to Penn State's game against the Virginia Cavaliers, Sept. 8.
Jones' status with the football team has been in limbo for the past few days, as he did not attend Tuesday's practice.