Missouri has made a key addition to its defensive line, landing Florida State transfer Jaden Jones to bolster its pass-rush depth for the 2026 season.
Jones, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound edge rusher from Montgomery, Alabama, appeared in all 12 games for the Seminoles last season, starting three ACC contests. He set career highs with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hurries, showcasing the talent that Tigers coaches are eager to develop.
A former Hutchinson Community College standout, Jones signed with Florida State ahead of the 2023 season. He brings two years of eligibility to Missouri and is expected to contribute immediately in early-down and obvious running situations. While he may not start the season as the first-string edge rusher, his size, athleticism, and Power Five experience make him a high-upside rotational player with the potential to grow into a more impactful role.
Missouri’s edge rusher rotation will feature Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen in the starting roles, but Jones is expected to compete for significant snaps alongside other rotation players, including promising freshman Daeden Hopkins. Tigers coaches see him following the same development path as previous transfer edge rushers who became key contributors after one season in Columbia.
With the addition of Jones, Missouri not only fills immediate depth at the position but also gains a player with the potential to become a game-changer by 2027. The Tigers’ work in the portal isn’t done yet, but securing Jones is a major first step in rebuilding a pass-rush rotation that lost key contributors last offseason.
