Former LSU LB Mike Jones signs UDFA deal with Atlanta Falcons

On3 imageby:Barkley Truax•05/01/23•

BarkleyTruax

Former LSU linebacker Mike Jones Jr. has signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent, the team announced Monday. He is one of six players Atlanta has agreed to terms with.

Jones spent five seasons at the collegiate level but only spent the final two seasons in Baton Rouge after beginning his career at Clemson. There, he compiled 54 total tackles in two abbreviated seasons due to injury. He played in 10 games during his first season, and just seven this year.

He was relatively quiet during his true freshman and sophomore seasons at Clemson, but burst onto the scene in his third season, racking up 26 tackles and two interceptions.

Coming out of high school, Jones was a four-star recruit, per the 2018 On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 206 player in his class and the No. 24 linebacker out of IMG Academy.

Including Jones, here is the full list of the six UDFA’s the Falcons signed:

  • DL Ikenna Enechukwu, Rice
  • WR Keilahn Harris, Oklahoma Baptist
  • LB Mike Jones Jr., LSU
  • WR Xavier Malone, Henderson State
  • WR Justin Marshall, Buffalo
  • RB Carlos Washington Jr., Southeastern Louisiana

Most teams are inviting more than just half a dozen undrafted free agents to their rookie minicamps, but in the Falcons’ case — they just don’t have enough roster spots that need to be filled. After drafting six players over the weekend, Atlanta feels good about the talent they have currently on the roster.

The draft group is headlined by former Texas star running back Bijan Robinson, who was selected No. 8 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Rushing for over 2,500 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns for the Longhorns over the past two seasons make him the most productive back in all of college football over that span. Add in over 600 more receiving yards and the Falcons believe they are getting the most versatile running back since Christian McCaffrey.

“Y’all can expect everything [out of me],” Robinson said after getting drafted about what he brings to Atlanta. “I can do it all on the field, for the city, for myself trying to do great things for the whole city of Atlanta, but I appreciate you guys and I can’t wait to get there and have a good time. It’s such a blessing to be with y’all.”