Running back Felix Jones could probably start for most any school in the nation.

Any school but Arkansas.

Jones is Darren McFadden's backup, but he's nobody's second string. His ability to accept his role has helped the Razorbacks form the nation's No. 3 rushing game.

Jones averages 9.1 yards per carry – tops in the Bowl Subdivision – and has rushed for 1,117 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

McFadden (1,725 yards) and Jones, an All-American return specialist, are only the second teammates in NCAA history to each rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.

"It's really good because Darren can go in, pound them, pound them, pound them, and I come in and put a move on them they're not ready for," said Jones, a 6-0, 207-pound junior. "It's a combination that's hard to defend."

Fullback Peyton Hillis said the two are like brothers. Jones appears to be at peace with his place. "I see the reality, and I'm playing for the Razorbacks," he said with shrug.

"As far as being jealous of each other, that's something that never happened," McFadden said. "He's a great player to be around."

Offensive coordinator David Lee found that hard to believe when he joined the Razorbacks a year ago.

"In the last 11 months, I thought there would be one time, one practice, something that I saw where he was envious," Lee said. "There's not a bone of that in his body.

"That's the real reason this football team stays as unified as they are, the relationship of those two."

Speculation has abounded that Jones will enter the NFL draft, along with McFadden, following the Cotton Bowl. Neither has confirmed it. Jones, who said he has met with new coach Bobby Petrino once, seemed decidedly undecided on the matter Saturday.

"There's no promises or anything like that," Jones said. "Right now, I'm a Razorback."