Transfer Spotlight – LSU LB Mike Jones

At CFB Saturdays we recognize that the landscape is always changing in College Football and the undeniable impact transfers have had on our beloved sport in recent history.  Transfers have gone on to make College Football Playoff runs, win the Heisman, the National Championship, and become top NFL Draft Picks (Joe Burrow recently accomplished all of the above).  In the Transfer Spotlight we take a look at the potential impact of top Transfers in 2021.  Today we take a look at LSU LB Mike Jones who has shown potential during his time at Clemson.

Plenty Of Flashes

Jones was a four star recruit in Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class. He redshirted in 2018 and played as a reserve for the Tigers in 2019. Jones was able to flash big play ability during his limited playing time and recorded 19 tackles with 4 tackles for loss, 3 QB hurries, 1 fumble forced and 1 pass breakup. With Isaiah Simmons off to the NFL and an opening for an athletic linebacker the future looked bright for Jones at Clemson.

Jones earned a staring spot in 2020, but missed two games in the middle of the season due to Covid and didn’t play as well when he returned. Still during the 2020 season Jones again showed his big play ability. Jones played in ten games for the Tigers and accounted for 26 tackles with 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups and a fumble forced. It may have not been the season Jones wanted, but he showed the ability to make big plays against the run and the pass.

Jones decided after the season that he didn’t want to continue his career at Clemson and entered the transfer portal. He soon found a home at LSU where Jabril Cox is moving on to the NFL and Jones has the opportunity to step into his spot in 2021 (as an added bonus his team is still called the Tigers). Jones has the athleticism and skill to excel in this role in Baton Rouge.

Mike Jones’ Game

Mike Jones is an athletic linebacker who is built to move at 6’0″ 220 lbs. He is a good athlete in space who is an asset in coverage or ranging from sideline to sideline against the run. Jones has good closing speed to make the play on the ball carrier or on plays in front of him in coverage. He has good change of direction skills in coverage and can cover well for a linebacker. Jones fits well in modern day college football where linebackers need to be able defend the pass well.

Jones is not a big linebacker and relies on his athleticism to make plays in the backfield. He is explosive and can fill gaps quickly and make plays on the ball carrier. Jones needs to get better at fighting through traffic to find the football, particularly when bigger linemen can get their hands on him. He is a good tackler and does a good job of making plays in space. Jones will be a junior in 2021 and should be ready to turn in his best season yet.

Outlook at LSU

LSU lost a ton of talent from their 2019 championship team in 2020. To make matters worse several of the key players returning opted out before the season and even more opted out during the season. This led to a forgettable 2020 season that saw the Tigers finish 5 – 5 and allow nearly 35 points per game. The defense needs an upgrade quickly and will be looking for players to contribute in, new defensive coordinator, Darante Jones’ scheme.

LSU has a few key players from the 2020 defense departing for the NFL. Jabril Cox started at linebacker and was third on the team in tackles and recorded 3 interceptions. JaCoby Stevens was a big safety that could play in the box and led the team in tackles. With two of the teams leading tacklers off to the NFL, LSU needs a player like Jones to provide a boost at the linebacker spot right away.

There is some talent returning that gives LSU a core to build around. Derek Stingley and Eli Ricks combine to form one of the best cornerback duos in the country. BJ Ojulari showed his pass rushing potential as a true freshmen and could be a menace off the edge in 2021. LSU has continued to recruit at a high level and as that young talent develops, 2020 could just become an aberration caused by the huge exodus to the NFL and Covid causing so many players to opt out.

Mike Jones fills a key role for LSU and will have the opportunity to earn a starting spot right away. He is a high ceiling player who could help the Tigers’ defense return to form in 2021. College football is a what have you done for me lately business and LSU will need to get back on track in 2021 to keep their positive momentum from 2019 going. Jones provides a key addition that can help them do just that.

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