There was speculation earlier in the season that junior cornerback Chris Jones might flirt with the idea of leaving early for the NFL after a strong start to the season.

Jones announced Tuesday that he will play his senior season in Lincoln.

“Coming back next year and give this team all I got..... we have a lot of unfinished business,” Jones announced.

Jones had a breakout season for Nebraska this year, starting all 12 games and recording 33 tackles and making three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against Indiana.

That followed a sophomore campaign in 2015 where Jones broke into the lineup, making seven starts. The emergence of Jones and fellow corner Joshua Kalu is one reason Nebraska made such a strong improvement in pass defense in 2016. The Huskers finished the regular season No. 42 in pass defense after being among the worst defenses in the country against the pass.

Nebraska returns the bulk of its secondary in 2017, including regular starters Jones, Kalu, Aaron Williams and Kieron Williams, as well as promising sophomore-to-be Lamar Jackson.

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