The Florida State coaching staff secured a major victory in the transfer portal today, as they have successfully pulled off an unexpected flip. Southern Miss linebacker, and former Ole Miss commit, Chris
Jones has decided to transfer to FSU. Jones is the second linebacker commit to Florida State on Thursday, as former UNC LB Mikai Gbayor also committed to the Seminoles. On3 first reported the news.
Jones, a 6-foot, 230 pound linebacker, is originally from Byram, Mississippi. Among the top and most productive linebackers to enter the transfer portal this cycle, he originally committed to Ole Miss, following conventional wisdom and opting to stay in his home state and play on the biggest stage Mississippi can offer. Florida State remained diligent with him and fortunes eventually changed, leading to a surprising decommitment from Ole Miss and FSU completing the flip today. The new Ole Miss coaching staff allowed him to opt out of a prior deal he’d signed, a sign that the pettiness level in Oxford has dropped a bit.
In 2025, Jones started all 13 games and erupted for 133 tackles (9.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups, an interception, and a forced fumble. He led the Sun Belt in tackles and ranked 7th nationally in total tackles. For his efforts, he was named to the 2025 First Team All-Sun Belt Conference. As a freshman, he played in nine games and still finished second on the team with 46 tackles (2.5 for loss), one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups.
Jones has two seasons of eligibility remaining and it will be a complete shock if he’s not one of FSU’s starting linebackers from the minute he sets foot on campus. Big victory for new linebacker coach Ernie Sims as he reels in a highly-sought-after player, and a welcome relief for Seminole faithful who have been concerned about linebackers.
Jones’ bio from southernmiss.com
2024 (Fr.): Played in nine games…Missed the final three with injury…Still tied for second on the team in tackles with 46 (25 solos) to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss for nine yards and a sack for eight yards…Recorded one interception against Jacksonville State (9/21) returning it for nine yards…Added two forced fumbles and one pass breakup…Recorded season-high nine tackles versus Arkansas State (10/19) with eight stops coming against both Jacksonville State (9/21) and Marshall (11/9)…Posted at least two stops in every game that he played and at least five in six contests.
High School: Helped lead Hartfield Academy to their first undefeated season and the MAIS Class 6A state championship this fall…Named MAIS Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year…Tallied 112 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, four interceptions, four quarterback hurries, and seven touchdowns…Named to the Army All-American Bowl…Named his team’s Defensive MVP in the MAIS Class 4A-5A-6A All-Star game…Earned a spot on the MSScoreboard.com All-Metro first team at linebacker.
