A KU spokesperson confirmed to the Journal-World that Jones is no longer with the program.

A redshirt freshman from Berrien Springs, Mich., Jones opened preseason camp with the Jayhawks this past week before his plans changed.

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound center posted to Twitter that “due to personal issues and family reasons I have to step away from football for awhile.”

In a direct message to the Journal-World, Jones said he is “forever a Jayhawk,” and that his “love for the coaches, the program and my brothers will never change.”

Asked whether he wanted to reveal anything more about what led him to leave the program, Jones responded: “I just need to be there for family right now, because family is always first and due to that I unfortunately have to step away from football for some time.”

Recruited to KU by former offensive line coach Luke Meadows, Jones was rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals in the Class of 2020. He signed with the Jayhawks after getting offers from Air Force, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Tulane and Western Illinois.

Jones ended up playing as a true freshman when KU ran into depth issues on its offensive line late in the 2020 season. He made his first appearance in a college game against Kansas State in late October and ended up starting at center for the Jayhawks in late November against TCU.

As the Jayhawks opened preseason camp under new head coach Lance Leipold this past week, Jones’ name initially appeared on the unavailable list the first two days of practice. His name was not on the list Saturday.

Although Jones was considered a potential longterm solution at center for the Jayhawks as a young player, his departure isn’t expected to hurt the O-line’s depth at center this year.

In the spring, former Notre Dame walk-on Colin Grunhard and super-senior Adagio Lopeti were handling the center position. And since then former Buffalo starting center Mike Novitsky joined the program via the transfer portal.

https://twitter.com/Bubby_Jones_/status/1424505346689839110