BRISTOL — Playing college football has never been at the top of Byron Jones’ list of priorities.

When he headed to St. Paul four years ago, making a name for himself on the gridiron came in well behind that of earning a reputation as a good student and a good classmate. Sure, he admits that there was never any question of whether he’d be seen on the Falcons’ athletic fields or not, as sports run through his veins, but making his parents proud of the young man he strived to become was first and foremost.

Fast forward four years and he has met those goals — and then some.

With those proud parents by his side Wednesday morning, the St. Paul senior signed his name to a National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Connecticut.

“I’m very excited. It was emotional signing that letter. But I’m very happy,” Jones, a New Britain resident, said. “This never crossed my mind as a sophomore or freshman. But I’ve always been compelled to work hard to try and achieve something. To be able to get to play college football, it’s such a great thing.”

UConn, parents Donald and Garnette Jones said, is the perfect place for their son.

“Coming from a small school we wanted to make sure that he wasn’t going to get lost in the shuffle. He assured me that he wouldn’t,” Garnette Jones said. “UConn really seemed to know what the Jones’ were about, and that’s faith, family and education.”

Jones was one of 20 high school student-athletes from 11 different states to join the Huskies on Wednesday, National Signing Day.

He will join St. Paul alums and current Huskies Marcus Aiken and Derek Chard as members of the program.

Having Aiken there, Jones said, and being able to talk to his former Falcon teammate about the process, the UConn football program, classes, and life in Storrs in general only assured him that he was making the right decision on where to spend his college days.

The Huskies, however, knew they wanted Jones almost at first glance.

It took him only one day to make an impression on UConn coach Randy Edsall.

Over the summer, with a little push from St. Paul coach Jude Kelly and the rest of the Falcon coaching staff, Jones attended Edsall’s one-day skills challenge camp. At the end of the day, the St. Paul student and Edsall were already in conversation regarding plans after high school.

Just a few days later the Jones family received a call. The Huskies were offering a scholarship.

“I was kind of numb,” Jones said. “Words don’t explain what I was feeling at that moment.”

Kelly wasn’t surprised then and, after a standout senior year in which Jones helped lead the Falcons to the postseason for the first time in 33 years, he remained that way as he watched his pupil pen his name to the National Letter of Intent.

The St. Paul coach said there’s many high school kids that are either good athletes, good students or good in a leadership role. But few manage to excel at all three.

“It’s tough to get it all,” he said. “But with Byron, he’s a class act. We’re happy and we’re excited. We’re proud of him and the job that he has done to get to this point.”

The development from his junior season on the gridiron to his senior campaign is when, Kelly added, Jones elevated his status from good to great.

In 2008, he caught 23 balls for 425 yards and eight touchdowns. A year later, those numbers grew to 51 receptions, 735 yards and eight scores. He did so while drawing the attention of the opponent’s best defensive back game-after-game, play-after-play.

But when you’re as gifted of an athlete and as hard of a worker as Jones, Kelly said, even a top-tier defender is going to have trouble keeping you from making big plays at key moments.

As a result, the 17-year-old earned Class MM All-State honors, was named to the First Team All-Naugatuck Valley League as well as receiving All-Press accolades.

But the start of that athletic success stems back well before his time on the football field. It all seems to go back to time spent out in front of the house more than a decade ago. It stems from time spent with brothers Nathan (24), Aaron (23) and Winston (19) just being kids, doing the things kids do, together.

“I have three older brothers and we used to play outside all the time. We were always outside running around, playing sports. That’s where this all started,” Jones said. “People ask me how I’m able to jump so high all the time. I don’t have any secrets. I really think being outside with my brothers is when it all started to develop.”  Now, his development as an athlete and a young man will continue in Storrs.  “We’re elated and excited that he has this opportunity,” his father said. “We’re very proud.”

Jones, who had three interceptions over the fall, is currently slated to play cornerback for the Huskies.