Chris Jones is just 20 years old. But he’s already played 22 college games and started in 2025 at Southern Miss.

After racking up 135 tackles as a sophomore, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors, Jones made quite an impression. But to think there’s an air of accomplishment or cockiness about him, well, that couldn’t be further from the reality.

“Being such a young guy, getting to play early, it gave me experience early to help me to go out there and probably be ahead of some guys my age,” Jones said. “But I'm very humble to know that I got to just keep getting better.”

To say “better” could require some context for 2026. Jones likely won’t come close to 135 tackles at FSU, a number no defensive player has hit this century (Kendyll Pope had 131 in 2002). Not even his position coach, Ernie Sims, came close in his three seasons at FSU (42, 86 and 72 tackles).

But better for Jones could be described as furthering his education as a linebacker, doing it for a Power 4 program, being physical and forcing opponents to punt.

“Coach (Ernie) Sims says all the time ‘solve your mistakes with violence,’ ” Jones said. “And that’s what we try to do every day. Try to fly to the ball as a unit.”

While FSU made some big moves in the transfer portal to strengthen the defense, notably end Rylan Kennedy, it’s likely that Jones has been the biggest addition. Jones upgrades a linebacker room that for two straight seasons has underwhelmed as Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune moved on to pro football.

Jones’ play in practices and scrimmages has drawn praise from FSU’s staff. Coach Mike Norvell has consistently mentioned Jones, unprompted, and did so after Sunday’s second scrimmage.

“He's definitely been a force," Norvell said.

Norvell mentioned FSU's staff views this as a "big move week" with both preseason scrimmages in the books. There's little doubt Jones is a starter regardless of whether FSU is in its 3-3-5 alignment or shifts to a 4-2-5.

"He’s edgy. He’s very edgy," defensive coordinator Tony White said before FSU opened preseason camp. "He don’t take no crap. He’s not afraid of confrontation. He’s a guy who’s comfortable in his skin. If he’s going to be wrong, he’s going to be wrong 100 miles an hour and he’s going to be wrong physically."

Jones said after Tuesday's practice that he can sense the Seminoles are playing with intensity and a "strain" to the ball. Considering the depth up front and in the secondary, the linebacker corps is something of a question mark on defense with Omar Graham Jr., Blake Nichelson and AJ Cottrill returning to a room that also includes Caleb LaVallee (didn’t play in 2025 due to injury).

Beyond Jones, FSU made linebacker a priority in the portal and through high school recruiting. Mikai Gbayor (Nebraska / UNC) and Izayia Williams (state’s top prep linebacker) have been injured for part of camp, Norvell has mentioned, although he thinks they will be back soon. Freshmen Noah LaVallee, Karon Maycock and Daylen Green could be in the mix, too.

Jones described a close bond among the linebackers and said, "I never felt more closer to a unit." But the group will be led by a humble thumper in Jones.

"Everywhere on the field. Fitting gaps, hitting people," Kennedy said. "I trust him so much. And we are close, too. I just started getting close to him a couple months ago. He's a really good guy. He's a true piece of the team. You're going to see him everywhere on the field. You're going to hear his name called almost every play."

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