Florida quarterback Emory Jones confirmed his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal after ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that he informed his coaches on Friday. He posted a graphic on Twitter, thanking his teammates, coaches and Gators fans then announcing his decision to transfer after four seasons with the Orange and Blue.
“We have shed blood, sweat and tears together,” he wrote addressing his teammates. “We have had ups and downs together. We have seen the light at the end of the tunnel together. And through it all, you have had my back and been by my side.”
He thanked former head coach Dan Mullen for giving him the opportunity to be a Florida Gator and thanked Billy Napier for giving him the chance to continue to be a Gator.
“Thank you for so many unforgettable moments,” he wrote to the fans. “Thank you for always showing up and supporting me. I will never forget the indescribable feeling and the roar of 90,000 strong at the Swamp.”
Jones also wrote that he decided to enter the transfer portal after conversations with his family and lots of thought. He added he plans to stay enrolled at the University of Florida during the spring semester, so he can become a Gator graduate.
Napier released a statement after Jones’ decision to transfer broke.
“Emory has conducted himself with nothing but class and selflessness,” he said. “It is not surprising that he has earned the respect of his teammates, his coaches and this entire organization. I am proud of him for everything he’s accomplished and for his commitment to complete his degree this spring. He is a young man with a bright future, and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Jones started 12 games in 2021 but lost the starting job to quarterback Anthony Richardson during the LSU game. He finished the season with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, tied for the most interceptions thrown in the SEC with Kentucky’s Will Levis.
Besides Richardson, Florida has three other quarterbacks on its roster in Ohio State transfer Jack Miller, Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna.
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