QB Jones ‘a fighter’ until end
TAMPA — A head-scratcher to many, the decision was a no-brainer toFloridaquarterbackEmoryJones.
No one would have blamed Jones if he’d pulled the plug on his Gators’ career, bailed on the bowl game and focused on finding a new school and fresh start.
Jones isn’t wired that way. Before he transfers, Jones will lead his soon-to-be-former team and longtime teammates one more time during Thursday’s Gasparilla Bowl against UCF at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
“You shouldn’t have no worries about him giving it his all to this team, because that’s just him,” senior tailback Dameon Pierce said following Tuesday’s practice. “That’s just built into him. That’s just the type of guy he is.”
Jones did not become the star quarterback everyone expected, but still set a strong example for the Gators during a disappointing season.
“He’s had some highs and lows,” interim coach Greg Knox said Tuesday. “As a quarterback, you got to stay in the middle. No matter how
— Senior tailback Dameon Pierce good it’s going, you can’t be up here. And no matter how bad it’s going, you can’t be down there.”
Jones did not elevate the Gators (6-6) or perform consistently during his first season as starter.
Yet, he nearly engineered an upset of top-ranked Alabama and showcased his dual-threat abilities with 353 total yards against Tennessee and 550 yards and 7 scores against overmatched Samford.
Jones’ 13 interceptions also lead the SEC. A pick-6 during a loss at LSU cost him the starting job to Anthony Richardson, who then sustained a concussion against Georgia.
With Richardson out, Jones stepped back into the starting role. Three games later, coach Dan Mullen, who began recruiting Jones when he was a high school sophomore, was fired.
Yet, Jones stayed the course.
“I never seen him drop his chin,” Pierce said of Jones. “I never seen him give up. He’s going to fight. He’s a fighter.
“It probably didn’t go the way he wanted it to go, probably not the way he envisioned, but he’s definitely a hard worker and he’s never going to quit or give up on anybody.”
Soon after Billy Napier was hired to replace Mullen, Jones announced his decision to transfer. In a unique twist, the 21-year-old decided to remain with the team through the bowl game.
The Gators, otherwise, would not have a starting quarterback. Richardson is recovering from minor knee surgery and first-year freshmen Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna have not thrown a college pass.
The decision surprised some, but not the person who knows him best.
“He’s been a Warrior!,” his mother, Trina, texted The Orlando Sentinel.
“You shouldn’t have no worries about him giving it his all to this team, because that’s just him. That’s just built into him. That’s just the type of guy he is.”
QB transfer
Ohio State quarterback Jack Miller announced he is bound for Florida, becoming Napier’s first get from the transfer portal.
Miller announced his decision on Twitter, writing, “Excited to get to work!”
Napier was eager to add some depth at QB after Jones’ decided to transfer after Thurdsay’s game. Miller joins a Florida roster with three scholarship quarterbacks, but Richardson is only one to take a college snap.
Miller played sparingly during two years with the Buckeyes and he will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Miller was a 4-star prospect at Chaparral High in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the nation’s 13th-ranked pro-style quarterback in the 2020 class.
Miller appeared during five games last season at Ohio State as the backup to Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud. Miller he completed 7-of14 passes for 101 yards and rushed 7 times for 22 yards and a touchdown.