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Chris Jones has made his impact felt on Florida State football immediately.
The Southern Miss transfer has been tabbed as one of the Seminoles' breakout players since he arrived in Tallahassee in the winter. The 6-foot-1, 231-pound linebacker looks like he could step onto an NFL field already, and he's earned a reputation with his teammates and coaches on the practice field.
"That's a moving truck," sophomore running back Ousmane Kromah said of Jones.
"When he hits you, I'm going to be real, I'm a physical back, but you ain't going to be that physical with Chris."
It's high praise, but more importantly, consistent. Jones has been characterized in a wide variety of ways, from being a "dog" according to running backs coach Kam Martin, to someone who "wants to knock the soul out of you," as said by defensive coordinator Tony White.
Jones was a tackle machine in his two seasons with Southern Miss, recording 180 total tackles, including 135 last season. He brings an edge to the linebacker room, something much needed amid relative inconsistency from the position in recent seasons.
During both spring practice and preseason camp, his name is often one of the first brought up by coaches and players on both sides of the ball as a top performer.
"He's a heat-seeking missile every time," offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. said. "I don't care what period it is, our guys better make sure they are running and holding the ball aggressively. There may be thud sometimes, but his thud, you are going to feel it. I'm glad he's on our side, and he's a guy that's helping us get our guys better and prepared every day."
Jones will fly around the field East to West as he looks to take down ball carriers, and he's certainly going to be a key piece for the Seminoles' defense.
His aggression has translated to the rest of the room, and head coach Mike Norvell is excited to see how his players show up on the field during the regular season.
"Chris Jones and the guys in the linebacker room, our speed and the physicality and the playmaking that's shown up, it's exciting," Norvell said.
FSU is in Jacksonville until Saturday, Aug. 8, before returning to Tallahassee for a second preseason scrimmage on Sunday, Aug. 9, where Jones will likely have an impact. And maybe leave a few bruises.
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chris Jones is FSU football's 'heat-seeking missile' on defense
Continue reading...
The Southern Miss transfer has been tabbed as one of the Seminoles' breakout players since he arrived in Tallahassee in the winter. The 6-foot-1, 231-pound linebacker looks like he could step onto an NFL field already, and he's earned a reputation with his teammates and coaches on the practice field.
"That's a moving truck," sophomore running back Ousmane Kromah said of Jones.
"When he hits you, I'm going to be real, I'm a physical back, but you ain't going to be that physical with Chris."
It's high praise, but more importantly, consistent. Jones has been characterized in a wide variety of ways, from being a "dog" according to running backs coach Kam Martin, to someone who "wants to knock the soul out of you," as said by defensive coordinator Tony White.
Jones was a tackle machine in his two seasons with Southern Miss, recording 180 total tackles, including 135 last season. He brings an edge to the linebacker room, something much needed amid relative inconsistency from the position in recent seasons.
During both spring practice and preseason camp, his name is often one of the first brought up by coaches and players on both sides of the ball as a top performer.
"He's a heat-seeking missile every time," offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. said. "I don't care what period it is, our guys better make sure they are running and holding the ball aggressively. There may be thud sometimes, but his thud, you are going to feel it. I'm glad he's on our side, and he's a guy that's helping us get our guys better and prepared every day."
Jones will fly around the field East to West as he looks to take down ball carriers, and he's certainly going to be a key piece for the Seminoles' defense.
His aggression has translated to the rest of the room, and head coach Mike Norvell is excited to see how his players show up on the field during the regular season.
"Chris Jones and the guys in the linebacker room, our speed and the physicality and the playmaking that's shown up, it's exciting," Norvell said.
FSU is in Jacksonville until Saturday, Aug. 8, before returning to Tallahassee for a second preseason scrimmage on Sunday, Aug. 9, where Jones will likely have an impact. And maybe leave a few bruises.
Florida State football schedule 2026
- vs. New Mexico State | Aug. 29
- vs. SMU* | Sept. 7
- Bye
- at Alabama | Sept. 19
- vs. Central Arkansas | Sept. 26
- vs. Virginia* | Oct. 3
- at Louisville* | Oct. 9
- at Miami* | Oct. 17
- Bye
- vs. Clemson* | Oct. 31
- at Boston College* | Nov. 7
- at Pittsburgh* | Nov. 13
- vs. NC State* | Nov. 21
- vs. Florida | Nov. 27
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chris Jones is FSU football's 'heat-seeking missile' on defense
Continue reading...
