Christian Jones

2013 OUTLOOK:One of the top overall athletes on the team and FSU's top returning tackler who started all 14 games at weakside linebacker in 2012. Makes the move to middle linebacker in new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt's scheme and performed well there this past spring. An impressive physical specimen who has above average speed and quickness, which makes him one of the leading candidates for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. Also is a candidate for the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy, both given to the nation's top defensive player.

2012: Started all 14 games this season as FSU's weakside linebacker...Seminoles leading tackler with 95 stops, which were seventh overall in the ACC...accounted for the Seminoles' only defensive score of the season in a road win at USF...had more tackles in 2012 than he had in 27 career games in 2009-2010 (74 vs. 95)...set a new career high for TFL, pass break-ups and fumble recoveries...made a huge impact for the nation's second ranked defense during the last nine games...recorded eight or more tackles in seven of the last nine games including three games with double digit tackles...in the first five games of 2012 Jones had 17 tackles; he had 14 in the next game versus NC State and 78 in the last nine games...led FSU in tackles four times and was second on the team in three other games in the last nine games...recorded a near-career high 11 tackles and a career high three tackles for loss versus Duke...three TFL in the Duke game doubled his season total in just one quarter of play...set a career high with 14 tackles versus NC State...added 10 tackles in the win over Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl...helped Florida State's defense lead the nation in yards allowed per play (3.86), rank second nationally in total defense (254.14 ypg) and rank in the top six nationally in scoring defense (14.71 ppg), rushing defense (92.29 ypg), pass defense (161.86 ypg), pass efficiency defense (95.43) and opponent three-and-outs (6.29 per game).

2011: First-year starter at strongside linebacker who finished second on the team in tackles (56) after starting all 13 games...also had six tackles for loss, three sacks and a team-high two forced fumbles on the season...recorded a career-best nine tackles against NC State, while matching his career-best with one sack...had two tackles and a sack against ULM...made eight tackles versus Oklahoma...added seven stops at Clemson...totaled five tackles at Wake Forest and versus Maryland...forced a fumble at Duke and against NC State...also excelled on special teams and was voted one of three Mr. Versatiles at the FSU annual awards banquet.

2010: True freshman who saw action in all 14 games on special teams and some spot duty at linebacker...registered 18 tackles (11 solo, seven assisted) and tallied three sacks and three tackles for loss...also had a pass break up and a fumble recovery...tallied a season-high six tackles (three solo stops, three assisted) in a win at Virginia...added sacks against Samford, Virginia and Maryland...first career fumble recovery came against South Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Bowl...recipient of the Devaughn Darling Award, given to the top freshman on the defense...named fifth team All-Freshman Defense by Phil Steele.

PERSONAL: Widely regarded as one of the nation's elite athletes not only at outside linebacker, but across the board...an FSU legacy player whose father Willie Jones, Sr. starred for the `Noles at defensive end, a position also played by his brother Willie Jones, Jr...carried a five-star rating by Rivals...Rivals ranked the Lake Howell star as the No. 2 outside linebacker in the country, the No. 2 prospect in Florida and the 20th-best player nationally...Scout.com listed him as a four-star prospect and the No. 5-rated outside linebacker in the country...ESPN ranked Jones as No. 2 outside linebacker and No. 27 prospect overall...MaxPreps gave him a No. 71 national ranking...SuperPrep All-America 290 had him listed as the No. 2 outside linebacker in the nation and No. 2 player in the state, bestowing the honor of SuperPrep Dixie Defensive Player of the Year...checked in at No. 20 on Sporting News' Top 100 list of players nationally...rolled up 126 tackles, including 12 for losses and four sacks as a senior...had 160 stops as a junior and finished three-year Lake Howell career with 326 tackles...No. 1 outside linebacker on Florida Super 75 by the Times-Union...rated No. 7 player overall on Bill Buchalter's Florida 100 and No. 2 linebacker...participated in the Under Armour All-Star Game...selected FSU over Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Tennessee, but also had offers from LSU, USC, Miami and Michigan...born February 18, 1991.