Emory Jones is an American professional football quarterback currently playing in the National Football League. Born on April 29, 2000, in LaGrange, Georgia, Jones began his football journey at Heard County High School before developing into a four-star college recruit. He played at three major college programs before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Jones stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 211 pounds.
Emory Jones Early Life and Background
Emory Jones grew up in LaGrange, Georgia, where he attended Heard County High School. As a senior, he demonstrated his dual-threat abilities by completing 61 of 103 pass attempts for 1,197 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 494 yards and 6 touchdowns. His performance established him as one of the top high school prospects in Georgia.
Jones was rated a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He initially committed to play college football at Ohio State over offers from Clemson and Tennessee. He later decommitted from Ohio State and instead signed to continue his football career at the University of Florida.
Emory Jones College Career
Florida Gators (2018–2021)
Jones joined the Florida Gators football program and played in four games during his true freshman season before redshirting. He completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a redshirt freshman, he saw increased action in package plays while serving as the backup to starting quarterback Kyle Trask. He completed 25 of 38 pass attempts for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns, and he rushed 42 times for 256 yards and 4 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility as a runner.
Jones earned the starting quarterback position for the Gators to begin their 2021 season. On March 18, 2022, he informed his coaches that he would be entering the transfer portal, opening a new chapter in his collegiate career.
Arizona State Sun Devils (2022)
On May 5, 2022, Jones transferred to Arizona State University to join the Sun Devils. He was named the starting quarterback and began the 2022 season in that role. He started the first seven games of the season before being replaced by Trenton Bourguet. This marked a transitional period in his development as he adjusted to a new offensive system.
Cincinnati Bearcats (2023)
Jones entered the transfer portal again on December 12, 2022. Nine days later, he committed to play for the Cincinnati Bearcats under new Head Coach Scott Satterfield. He made an immediate impact in his debut, throwing five touchdown passes in his first appearance for the Bearcats in a victory over Eastern Kentucky. He went on to start twelve games during the 2023 season, throwing for 2,219 yards and 18 touchdowns. His performance demonstrated his growth as a passing quarterback while maintaining his rushing abilities.
Emory Jones Professional Career
Baltimore Ravens (2024)
Following the conclusion of his college career, Jones entered the 2024 NFL Draft. He went undrafted but signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2024. This signing gave him the opportunity to compete for a spot on an NFL roster during training camp. He was released by the Ravens on August 27, 2024, during final roster cuts.
DC Defenders (2024)
After his release from the Ravens, Jones continued his football career by signing with the DC Defenders of the United Football League on November 13, 2024. The UFL provided him with an opportunity to develop his skills and remain visible to NFL scouts while playing professional football.
Atlanta Falcons (2024–2025)
Jones signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on December 26, 2024. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on January 6, 2025, securing his place on the roster heading into the 2025 season. The contract represented a significant step in his professional career as he worked to establish himself at the NFL level. Jones was released by the Falcons on August 18, 2025, after suffering a concussion in a preseason game. He reverted to injured reserve the following day before being released on February 17, 2026.
Emory Jones Career Summary
Jones began playing professional football in 2024 after completing his collegiate career at three different programs. His professional journey has included stints with the Baltimore Ravens, DC Defenders, and Atlanta Falcons organizations. His career trajectory demonstrates the challenges undrafted free agents face in establishing themselves in the NFL while maintaining opportunities to continue playing professional football.
Throughout his football career, Jones has showcased his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. His college statistics reflect a player who contributed significantly as a runner while developing as a pocket passer. At the professional level, he has continued to work on refining his skills and adapting to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season marked a pivotal year for Jones as he sought to establish himself in the NFL. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Atlanta Falcons in January, he competed for playing time during the offseason and preseason. His dual-threat abilities provided the coaching staff with flexibility in how they could utilize the quarterback position.
Jones worked to build on his collegiate experience and demonstrate his readiness for NFL competition. The transition from college to professional football requires significant adjustments in pre-snap reads, decision-making speed, and overall game management. His journey through multiple college programs showed his ability to adapt to new systems, which could benefit him as he continues his professional career.
The football landscape continues to evolve, and quarterbacks who can contribute both through the air and on the ground remain valuable assets. Jones will look to leverage his experience and athleticism as he pursues opportunities to advance his professional football career. His determination to compete at the highest level reflects the resilience required for undrafted players seeking to build long-term careers in the NFL.