After the departures of Zion Young due to graduation alongside Damon Wilson and Nate Johnson in the transfer portal, Eli Drinkwitz and Corey Batoon had their work cut out for them in remaking Mizzou’s edge rusher rotation this offseason.
The reconstruction of the position group is still ongoing, but the Tigers took an important first step when they secured the commitment of Florida State edge rusher Jaden Jones last Saturday.
Jones was a regular member of the Seminoles’ edge rusher rotation this season,
appearing in all 12 regular season games and making three starts during ACC play. He recorded seven total tackles with a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries, setting new career highs in each statistic.
The Montgomery, Alabama, native started his career at Hutchinson Community College and was a highly touted JUCO recruit before signing with Florida State ahead of the 2023 season. He is expected to have two years of eligibility remaining.
Where He Fits
Jones graded out well as a run defender on Pro Football Focus. That grade, combined with his statistics this season, make him likelier to play on earlier downs and in obvious running situations as an edge rusher that hasn’t made his mark pressuring the quarterback yet.
Jones also has similar physical profile and level of athleticism as many of their recent transfer additions at the edge rusher position. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, he has an identical height and weight to Darris Smith. That athletic profile carries considerable upside if MU can develop Jones the way it has with other transfer edge rushers over the past few seasons.
When He Plays
There are plenty of starts, and snaps, up for grabs at edge rusher heading into next season in Columbia. Jones should be a regular part of the defensive line rotation, though Smith and Langden Kitchen are expected to have a leg up over the current competition for the starting roles.
Mizzou seems like it isn’t quite done shopping in the portal, either, with the need remaining for an impact edge rusher who can immediately step into the starting role. Jones will also face competition from Daeden Hopkins, who showed promise during his true freshman season. But the Florida State transfer is likely to end up somewhere between third and fifth in the rotation at edge rusher next season in a role similar to the ones played by Johnson and Kitchen this year.
The 2027 season, though, is where Jones will likely have a greater impact. The Tigers have thrived at developing transfers on the defensive side of the ball over the course of two seasons, and Jones’ existing power conference experience, combined with his physical profile that fits the archetype Batoon looks for at the position, gives the coaching staff a lot to work with.
What It Means
MU’s addition of Jones has a similar feel to the team bringing in Johnson and Kitchen in the portal last year: edge rushers who will play a depth role for the upcoming season, with the potential to develop into something more during their potential second year on campus. Johnson decided to transfer after spending one season at Mizzou, but Kitchen is slated to see a notable increase in playing time next season.
Jones provides the Tigers with someone they can feel comfortable slotting into the defensive line rotation right now, due to his high major experience, but also a player who seemingly has upside that hasn’t fully been tapped into just yet.
There’s still work to do for Mizzou in the portal, and the rest of the offseason will likely have a major impact on how Jones’ addition ends up being viewed. If he’s the Tigers’ third edge rusher or a starter next season, it will likely spell trouble for the defense. But as a fourth or fifth member of the rotation, he presents an intriguing upside play that can also be counted on immediately.
