MEMPHIS — He was a sophomore in high school and a student who had soured on football.

Maurice Jones didn't want to play the sport anymore. He had not enjoyed his freshman season and planned a football-free fall.

Prodding from his former teammates and friends, however, convinced him to give the White Station program, with a newly hired coach, another try.

Jones met with first-year coach Major Wright, a former quarterback/receiver at Lambuth, and was asked him to run a short route.

''I came out and had some tennis shoes on and I ran my first route and he said, 'We may have a receiver,' '' Jones said. ''After that first day he named me the starter. He came to me and said if I work hard and do what I need to do I can become a better player.

''Before Coach Wright came to the program I was through with football. Ever since that day coach Wright has worked with me and made me into a better player.''

One short route, one Jones recalls being either a hitch or a curl, was enough to convince Wright that Jones could be a significant part of the Spartan offense. As the University of Memphis prepares for Saturday's game at Tennessee, Jones is convincing the Memphis staff that it made a sound decision to pursue him.

Through eight games, Jones 6-2 and 225 pounds, is gradually becoming an integral part of the Tiger offense. Although he hasn't had what one would call a breakout game — no 10-catch, 100-yard efforts — he has become the team's No. 2 receiver with 14 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

After being shut out in the opener against Ole Miss, Jones has had at least one catch in each game. His 26-yard touchdown reception in last week's Conference USA loss to UAB ignited an early scoring spree that saw the Tigers take an early 17-3 lead.

''I don't know if the game plan is to get me more involved,'' Jones said. ''I just know I come to practice and I practice hard and try to get them confident enough in me that they can call my number in a game and I'm capable of making my play.''

After it became apparent he would not qualify academically as a freshman, Jones did not receive much attention. He said only Memphis and a junior college expressed interest, despite a senior season that saw Jones finish with 53 receptions for 1,042 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Instead of going to a junior college, Jones attended Memphis on his own last year. In good academic standing, he is in his first year with the team. Only Ryan Scott, whom Jones backs up at the 'X' receiver position, has more catches (26).

From the moment he stepped on the practice field, Jones has caught Tiger coach Tommy West's attention.

''Maurice Jones plays like an older football player,'' West said. ''He is a very mature football player. He practices that way. He plays that way. He understands football. He understands leverage points. He understands positions on the field as a wide receiver. He is mature beyond his years and he gives great effort.''

The combination of maturity, talent, and hard work has created opportunities for Jones, who had 101 receptions for 1,710 yards and 23 TDs as a junior and senior.

Receiver coach Clay Helton said Jones has fit perfectly into the 'X' position, which requires a particular set of skills. Jones and Scott possess them.

''It calls for you to beat man coverage, to be a blocker outside, it's a very physical position for us,'' Helton said. ''If you notice the guys that are out there — 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 guys and guys like Maurice who are 225 pounds — it's a position that doesn't beat you with speed, but with route-running and physical play.

''That's what he has, along with tremendous (receiving) skills. He has really brought a lot of stability to that position.''

Helton said Jones has made strides being aggressive to the football. He exhibited those traits on his 26-yard TD catch against UAB.

''Instead of the ball coming to him, he goes to the ball,'' Helton said. ''When you're his size, you're always going to win. You're going to make the catch or get a pass-interference penalty.''

Jones said if there's one area where he's made the most improvement since the season began, it's as a blocker.

''The coaches are always putting the pressure on us to become good blockers,'' Jones said. ''I think we've challenged each other to become better blockers.''

It's been evident, Helton said, in the amount of long runs by All-American DeAngelo Williams, and others, during the past five games. Williams has had runs of 74, 76, 63 and 76 yards during that stretch. Running back Joe Doss and quarterback Maurice Avery have had runs of 31 and 30 yards.

Although the Tigers have, by necessity, become a run-oriented offense this season, they'll return to a more pass-oriented attack next season. And Jones should prosper.

''He would be the guy right now that, down the road, I would say has a chance to be an outstanding football player,'' West said. ''I think he has a chance to be a really, really good football player.''

Injury Report: The injury bug that has bitten the Tiger defensive line this season hasn't limited itself to players.

During Tuesday's practice at the Murphy Athletic Complex, defensive line coach Craig Boller injured his right knee when a Tiger defender accidentally ran into him. Boller attended Wednesday's practice on crutches with his right knee heavily wrapped. He underwent an MRI Wednesday and the results should be known today.

''It's a curse,'' said Tiger defensive end Marcus West, who is battling a knee injury of his own, but is expected to play Saturday. ''Now we've got a coach down.''

The Tigers lost defensive end Rubio Phillips to a knee injury in the opener against Ole Miss and have been without defensive tackle Van Houston since the preseason because of a knee infection. Noseguard Ryan Williams has been slowed by a shoulder injury and did not play against UAB Nov. 1.

Tiger coach Tommy West said he'd caution those who are interested in viewing a Memphis workout.

''We'll find out later what's wrong with (Boller),'' coach West said. ''It hasn't been a good year. I don't know if I would come out and watch practice.''

Marcus West said he didn't expect Boller to miss any practices because he is ''tough, he coaches tough people ... but when he got hit he said a few words he normally doesn't say.''

Extra Points: Tommy West said Wednesday that reserve linebacker Heath Grant, a sophomore from Starkville, Miss., has been suspended and will not play against Tennessee. ''He has been suspended due to classroom behavior,'' West said. Grant has made three starts — two since the Tigers went to a two-man front at midseason — and has 19 tackles. Michael Spurlock will move into Grant's spot. ... There's a reason Tiger All-America running back has been impressed with the play of Tennessee senior defensive end Parys Haralson. He ranks third on the school's career tackle for loss list with 41.5, trailing only Leonard Little (who had 53 from 1995-97) and Reggie White (who had 51 from 1980-83). Little and White were early round NFL draft picks and became NFL Pro Bowl selections. ... In its past 20 games, the Memphis offensive line has allowed only 10 sacks. Memphis allowed five in 12 games a year ago and have yielded five in eight games this season.