Florida State’s newest defensive addition, Chris Jones, is on a mission to bring some Magnolia State flair to the Seminoles. While Florida State already boasts a strong following in the Sunshine State, Jones is determined to extend that enthusiasm to his home state of Mississippi.
Jones, a linebacker transferring from Southern Miss, recently shared his vision for not only strengthening the FSU defense but also building a pipeline from Mississippi to Florida State. "I'm a real Mississippi guy," Jones said. "There's talent down there that people don't see because we don't have that big spotlight."
Jones hopes his move from the Sun Belt Conference to the ACC, along with playing for a storied program like Florida State, will inspire young athletes back home to consider FSU. "There are plenty of kids from Mississippi who could be where I am right now, only because of opportunity. I'm going to show why Mississippi should be on the map here at Florida State," he declared.
During his time with the Golden Eagles, Jones started in 13 out of 22 games, amassing 180 tackles, including 12 for a loss, and adding 4.5 sacks from his inside linebacker position. His performance on the field is just part of his plan to turn Mississippi into a Seminoles stronghold.
Jones is also focused on his development under the guidance of linebackers coach Ernie Sims. "One of my goals is to be a first-round draft pick like Coach Sims.
I want to create a lot of value for myself here at Florida State," Jones shared. He understands the importance of patience and dedication in making the transition to a new program.
"Being a first-round pick and trying to get out early is one of my biggest goals," he added. "If that doesn't work, we'll keep working and grinding. Coach Sims is committed to helping me get there."
Jones is clearly setting his sights high, both for himself and for the future of Mississippi talent at Florida State.