The former Stanningley youngster made his Rhinos debut as a teenager in 1999, but was restricted to six substitute appearances in his first three seasons because of a series of severe groin injuries. Those problems are now behind him, but Jones-Buchanan said there were times when he feared his career was over before it had really started.
Tomorrow's engage Super League fixture at Huddersfield Giants will mark Jones-Buchanan's 100th senior appearance for Leeds and he said: "It's a nice little milestone.
"I have loved my time here so far. I had some problems when I first started, but the last two or three years – since Tony Smith came in as coach – I've played a lot of game time and it has really brought me on.
"I've worked really hard the last few years and I've really enjoyed myself, but when I was having those injuries there were a few times when I was in tears and I thought it was over, I was finished, and I wasn't going to make it.
"I thought I wasn't going to be a regular first team player and it would finish me. A lot of the players and staff thought that as well. When I talk about it now they say they're surprised I was able to get through it.
"I had another really good Academy coach then, Dean Bell, who was really big on mental toughness. If it hadn't been for him I might have struggled.
"I just got my head down and thought I was going to put everything in to it and try and get through it.
"With all the help from the club, the medical staff and the players, they stuck with me and I have managed to push through and the glory days have come.
"I'm loving it, I'm having the time of my life."
Jones added: "The first year Tony came we won Super League and that was awesome, I probably played more games that season than in any of my four before that.
"It was a big starter for me and ever since then I've been pretty regular in the side.
"Now I feel really confident, the team's growing and I'm one of the older players.
"I'm still only 24, but there's a lot of young kids around me and the team has changed a lot.
"I think there's only Kevin Sinfield who's been at the club longer than me.
"I feel a bit like a senior player. I feel as though I should be putting myself in the side every week, but with the quality we've got it's hard to do that."
Rhinos aim to keep up the pressure on Super League leaders St Helens when they visit Galpharm Stadium tomorrow.
"Giants are a strong team," said Jones-Buchanan.
"I think back to when we played Huddersfield right at the beginning of the season in the first game and they were a tough side.
"They've pulled off some good results this year, they've got a good, strong pack and some good players.
"We have been pretty good in recent weeks, getting on with our game, doing what we want to do and working hard in training.
"I think if we go to Huddersfield and do that again we should be okay, but it's going to take some hard work and a lot of discipline from ourselves."
Rhinos face Giants in a Powergen Challenge Cup semi-final in four weeks' time, but Jones-Buchanan said: "We aren't thinking about that, we've got some massive games before then.
"We've got some tough hills to climb between now and then and a lot of things can change, no matter what happens on Sunday."
Coach Tony Smith said: "I am really pleased for Jamie.
"He is a Leeds lad through and through and he is so proud to play for his home town club.
"He had some disappointments earlier in his career but he has never stopped believing in himself and working hard to reach his goals."