Florida State Legacy Outside Linebacker Leaving Georgia To Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Should the Seminoles pursue the son of one of the most recognizable names in program history?

There have been plenty of surprising names to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal during the latest window. The impact is being felt in Tallahassee and around the country.

On Tuesday evening, Georgia Bulldogs sophomore outside linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. entered the portal, according to On3's Pete Nakos. A legacy of Florida State as the son of legendary linebacker Marvin Jones, Jones Jr. spent the last two years in Athens after signing with the Bulldogs over the Seminoles as a five-star prospect in the 2022 class.

Jones Jr. appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season, making his first career start in the SEC Championship loss to Alabama. He recorded 12 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery while playing 237 snaps. A year earlier, Jones Jr. played in 13 games while totaling four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack as a reserve. He was limited by a shoulder injury that he ended up needing offseason surgery to repair.

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The Florida native was one of the most highly regarded prospects in the 2022 class. He was ranked as the No. 2 edge prospect, the No. 5 recruit in Florida, and the No. 20 prospect in the country while playing at American Heritage High School. At the time, Jones Jr. was coached by current Florida State defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr.

The Seminoles are expected to pursue the legacy transfer and they make sense as a fit. Jones Jr. would be able to slide back into his natural position as a defensive end in Adam Fuller's 4-3 scheme while getting an opportunity to play a large role on the unit with Jared Verse likely moving on to the NFL following the season.

Florida State needs someone to step up opposite of Patrick Payton next year and the jury is still out on Gilber Edmond and Byron Turner Jr. A fresh start with a program and coaching staff that is already more than familiar with his skill set could help Jones Jr. blossom into the star defender that he has the potential to become. 

Plus, there is the allure of following his father's footsteps in Tallahassee. Marvin Jones Sr. is one of the best linebackers to ever come through Florida State, winning the Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, and Jack Lambert Trophy in 1992. He was inducted into the program's Hall of Fame as well as the College Football Hall of Fame after recording 369 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions with the Seminoles. Jones Jr. would be able to live up to the standard that has been set.

FSU is projected to return four scholarship defensive ends in 2024; Payton, Edmond, Turner Jr, and true freshman Lamont Green Jr. The Seminoles will add four-star DD Holmes and potentially another prospect in their high school recruiting class.

It's obvious that the program is in search of reinforcements at the position after hosting former Georgia Tech defensive end Kyle Kennard and former Pittsburgh defensive end Samuel Okunlola for official visits last weekend.

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