7:57 pm ET
Pete ThamelESPN
Florida quarterback Emory Jones has decided to leave Gainesville.
Jones announced that he was entering the college football transfer portal in a social media post on Saturday. His personal trainer Quincy Avery told ESPN on Friday that Jones had briefed the Florida coaches on his plans.
Jones said new Gators coach Billy Napier encouraged him to stay in the program.
He also took the opportunity to thank his teammates for the many memories that “will never be forgotten”.
Everyone loves Gator Nation! 🐊 pic.twitter.com/zYpsrqVuzj
— Emory Jones (@eXjones6) March 19, 2022
Jones, a redshirt senior, started 12 games for Florida in 2021. He completed 64.7% of his passes and finished with 19 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Jones will qualify immediately and have two seasons to play at his next destination.
“He’s looking for opportunities to compete and play at a high level, and to showcase his offensive talents that fit his skill set,” Avery told ESPN.
In December, Jones publicly stated that he planned to enter the portal, but Florida’s new coaching staff met with him at the Gasparilla Bowl and convinced him to take the springball. Jones reaffirmed his commitment to the new staff in recent spring training interviews.
But after almost a week of spring training, Jones went back to his original plan to quit school. He will seek a transfer and plans to enroll in a new destination in the summer.
In the spring, Jones is preparing to graduate, and this was the main reason why he returned to school.
“Emory has been exceptionally classy and selfless,” Napier said in a statement. “No wonder he earned the respect of his teammates, coaches and the entire organization.
“I am proud of him for everything he has achieved and for his intention to complete his degree this spring. He is a young man with a bright future and I wish him all the best.”
Jones will be one of the most sought-after quarterbacks on the NCAA transfer portal at this late date, as only former Georgia quarterback JT Daniels has a more established reputation among the quarterbacks currently on the portal.
Several Arizona State coaches followed Jones on social media following the news. Arizona has one of the tightest quarterback rooms among Power Five schools. Other schools that did the same were North Texas, Akron, Arkansas, and Rice.
Jones is a 6-foot-2, 201-pound quarterback who appeared in 37 games over his four seasons with the program. Jones has versatility as he has averaged 5.4 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns over his career.
Jones was ranked among the nation’s top 60 recruits on the ESPN 300 when he graduated from high school in 2018. He initially went to Ohio and then moved to Florida on Signing Day, one of the first major commitments at the start of Dan Mullen’s stay in Gainesville.