Born September 7, 1951, in Ruston, Louisiana, Bertram Hays Jones grew up as the son of Dub Jones, a halfback who played ten years in the All-America Football Conference and National Football League for the Cleveland Browns. Jones attended Ruston High School, where he earned the nickname "the Ruston Rifle" for his powerful throwing arm. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, starting only two games prior to the end of his junior year but then starting every game thereafter, leading LSU to a 12-2-1 record. Despite splitting time with Paul Lyons in 1971 due to conflicts with head coach Charlie McClendon, Jones took over as full-time starter in 1972.