Florida State has just about locked in its 2026 roster, with only a few walk-on spots and potential post-spring additions left to sort out. When it comes to the transfer portal, the Seminoles were aggressive-landing 23 players from the portal and a couple more from the JUCO ranks. The goal was clear: fill gaps, upgrade talent, and reload for another run.
One of the positions that needed attention? Linebacker.
After a 2025 season that saw inconsistent play and some key departures, this was a spot that couldn’t be ignored. FSU responded by bringing in two portal linebackers who could help stabilize the middle of the defense.
Let’s break down the additions, what they bring to the table, and how they fit into the Seminoles’ plans.
Chris Jones - Jr., Southern Miss (6-1, 235)
Transfer Grade: 86 (247Sports)
PFF Grade: 67.2 (706 snaps in 2025)
Jones is the kind of player who jumps off the stat sheet before you even get into the film. He started all 13 games for Southern Miss last season and racked up 134 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a pick, and two pass breakups. That’s production with a capital P.
But when you dig into the tape, the picture gets a little more nuanced. Jones brings real burst and lateral quickness-traits that should translate well to the Power Four level.
He’s light on his feet, reacts quickly, and shows the kind of range that FSU linebackers simply didn’t have last year. Plays that spilled outside too often turned into chunk gains in 2025, but Jones has the juice to close those down.
That said, there are some concerns. He’s not the longest linebacker, and that shows up in coverage.
He can get caught out of position or struggle when asked to turn and run with backs or tight ends downfield. That’s a red flag, especially in today’s game where linebackers are asked to do more than just thump in the run game.
There’s also the question of physical ceiling. At 6-1 and already well filled out, how much more can he grow physically?
The good news is that there’s room to evolve technically. With better coaching and more reps against high-level competition, Jones has a chance to clean up some of the rough edges and become a solid contributor-maybe even more.
Grade: 87-88
Jones isn’t a sure thing, but he’s got enough athleticism and production to be more than just a depth piece. There’s real upside here if he can round out his game.
Mikai Gbayor - RS Sr., North Carolina (6-2, 230)
Transfer Grade: 90 (247Sports)
PFF Grade: 67.1 (252 snaps in 2025)
Gbayor isn’t coming in with flashy numbers-he played in 12 games last season with just three starts, totaling 39 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a sack-but he’s a steady presence who brings some versatility.
Athletically, he’s a bit more fluid than expected. He moves well laterally and shows decent range when asked to cover ground.
In zone coverage, he looks comfortable and generally knows where to be. Against the run, he’s solid when the assignment is clear-he’ll trigger and fill a gap with confidence.
But the issues come when things get messy. If the play design isn’t straightforward, Gbayor can be a step slow to react. He also struggles to shed blocks from offensive linemen and can miss tackles if he doesn’t come in with a clean angle.
Still, he profiles as a valuable depth piece-someone who can step in and start if needed, and who won’t be overwhelmed by the moment.
Grade: 85
Gbayor may not be a game-changer, but he’s a dependable rotational guy who brings experience and functional athleticism to the linebacker room.
Overall Linebacker Transfer Grade: B
Florida State needed to get better at linebacker, and they did. Jones brings upside, athleticism, and a chance to become a playmaker.
Gbayor adds depth and experience with enough range to hold his own. Neither is a guaranteed star, but both are clear upgrades over what the Seminoles had a year ago.
There’s a noticeable boost in athleticism with these two additions, especially when it comes to pursuit and sideline-to-sideline speed. That alone should help shore up a defense that struggled to contain explosive plays in 2025.
This isn’t a home-run haul, but it’s a solid double into the gap-filling a need with quality, if not elite, talent. And for a team with championship aspirations, that’s exactly the kind of move that can make a difference in the fall.