Former Northwest Missouri cornerback Ryan Jones signs with Chicago Bears

CHICAGO - Former Liberty High School and Northwest Missouri State football star Ryan Jones has agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears, NBC Action News has learned.

Jones, a cornerback, was to board a plane for Chicago at 9 a.m. Terms of the deal, which will not be official until Jones lands in Chicago and signs the contract, were not immediately clear.

Jones, who turns 23 in a few weeks, worked out with Chicago back in March. The Bears were the only NFL team to invite him to a workout.

At Liberty High School, from where he graduated in 2006, Jones was a second-team all-state and first-team all-conference defensive back as well as a first-team all-state, all-district, all-metro and all-conference wide receiver.

Jones played a key role in Northwest Missouri’s run to the 2009 Division II national title, recording an interception, three tackles and a returned blocked extra point for a touchdown in their title game victory over Grand Valley State.

Jones watched April's NFL draft with high anticipation, as he was touted as a potential late-round pick, but he went undrafted and without a football home until the lockout ended Monday.