On Thursday afternoon, former Gator QB Emory Jones decided to transfer across the country to Arizona State, per Pete Thamel.
Source: Florida transfer quarterback Emory Jones has committed to play at Arizona State next season. He's got two years of eligibility remaining and will be immediately eligible.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 5, 2022
Jones has legitimate playmaking ability. He’s very mobile and is more than capable of making defenders miss in the open field. He also has plenty of raw arm talent, and will be a strong competitor next year in the PAC-12.
ASU has landed one of the most electric QB’s in the country in Emory Jones.
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) May 5, 2022
Jones transferred from Florida and was a top 100 recruit out of High School.
While with the Gators, Jones threw for 3,347 yards and 26 TD’s while also rushing for 1,273 yards
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This past season was Jones’ first and only year as the starter in Gainesville. He was 224-346 (64.7%) through the air, totaling 2,734 yards and 19 touchdowns. On the ground, he had 759 yards and 4 touchdowns, with an average of 5.3 yards a carry.
Admittedly, Jones did not have the season that Gator fans thought he would have as the starter. His decision making and accuracy raised lots of questions, and the offense struggled as a whole because of it.
His on field performance should not be how he is remembered in Gainesville, however. Jones was one of the classiest and most mature guys in the locker room, regardless of how the team was doing.
When Anthony Richardson came in for him against FSU, Jones didn’t sit on the sideline with his head in his hands. He was standing close to the field next to coach Dan Mullen, staying engaged, and doing everything he could to help Richardson be a better player.
That type of leadership doesn’t come around often. To have the confidence, maturity, and willingness to always try to lead the team is something that was priceless to the Gators last year, even if it didn’t appear that way from the outside.
Jones is in a position to succeed out west under new head coach Herm Edwards, as he’ll likely have the opportunity to start for the Sun Devils and make some noise in the PAC-12.
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