Joe Jon Finley

TE · Colorado
With the likes of Adrian Peterson, Malcolm Kelly and Sam Bradford grabbing headlines, it was easy for Joe Jon Finley to fly under the radar during his time with the Sooners. The two-year starter displayed naturally soft hands and the ability to come up with the clutch catch in traffic during his two years as a starter, giving Bradford a security blanket and solid red-zone target. Finley's brother, Matt, was a defensive back at Nebraska. Both of his brothers spent their high school days playing for their father, Mickey, who coached at Arlington High School. Joe Jon Finley was an all-around athlete at Arlington, competing in football and track. He started at quarterback as a junior and senior and at tight end as a sophomore, leading the team to a 12-2 record with district and bi-district championships for a second straight year as a senior. He was an All-District and All-Area tight end in 2000 and named an All-State utility player by Dave Campbell's Texas Football as a senior. The two-time All-District quarterback added District Offensive Most Valuable Player honors in 2002. He was rated the 24th-best quarterback in the country by Super Prep and the 32nd-best athlete in the nation by both The Sporting News and Rivals.com. He was also a hurdler on the track team, qualifying for the state meet in the 110-meter hurdles as a senior and in the discus during his last two years. Finley passed for 1,626 yards and rushed for 897 as a senior, completing 82-of-168 passes with 12 touchdowns in his final prep season. He also rushed for nine scores and averaged 6.6 yards per carry. As a junior, he passed for 1,200 yards and rushed for 900 more. Recruited as an athlete, the 210-pound Finley spent the 2003 season with the scout team at Oklahoma. The time spent in the weight room that year saw the talented youngster arrive at 2004 fall camp with a chiseled 245-pound frame. He spent that year playing behind James Moses at tight end. In limited action over 12 games, he snatched seven passes for 94 yards (13.4-yard average) and one touchdown. As a sophomore, Finley again caddied for Moses, starting vs. Tulsa and UCLA in a two-tight end formation. In 11 games, he had 13 catches for 150 yards (11.5-yard average) and a pair of touchdowns. He also made one solo tackle, as he excelled in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big Twelve Conference honors. With Moses graduated, Finley took over tight end chores as a junior, starting all 14 games in 2006. The All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention, snared 19 passes for 241 yards (12.7-yard average), finding the end zone three times. He recovered a fumble and posted an assisted tackle on special teams. Finley again garnered All-Big Twelve honorable mention as a senior. He amassed 290 yards with four touchdowns on 23 receptions (12.6-yard average). He also increased his workload on special teams, registering a pair of tackles and returning two kickoffs for 23 yards. In 51 games at Oklahoma, Finley earned 29 starting assignments. He hauled in 62 passes for 775 yards (12.5-yard average) and 10 touchdowns. He recorded four tackles (two solo) and recovered a fumble, adding two kickoff returns for 23 yards (11.5 avg).