Discover how Florida State's Seminoles consistently fuel the Jacksonville Jaguars, forging a lasting connection through NFL draft picks.
As we approach the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday, 32 teams will be working their draft-day big board, looking for the next group of talented college players that will hopefully help them win football games.
The State of Florida is known as a recruiting hotbed for high school football talent. The Sunshine State has produced talented pro football players as well. The Florida State Seminoles football program is well known for being a source of talent for all 32 NFL teams. But one NFL team has reaped the benefits of that Seminole talent: the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Seminoles and Jaguars are linked in the annals of pro football history when it comes to roster building. Three players distinguished themselves in the teal and black, living the dream of a professional football player.
Greg Jones, Running Back
In 2000, Coach Bobby Bowden recruited Jones, a talented two-way prep star from South Carolina, to Florida State as a linebacker. Later, Jones filled a need at running back and established a reputation as a tough, physical runner.
In 2002, Jones rushed for 900 yards and scored ten touchdowns. He could have eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, but a late season injury ended his junior season in week 10. Despite his injury, Jones was named second-team All-ACC.
In the history of Florida State football, Jones is well-known for “the stiff arm” hit he made on North Carolina defender Dexter Reid in 2003.
When his career as a Seminole came to an end, Jones had rushed for over 2,500 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Jaguars selected Jones in the second round and played nine seasons in Jacksonville as a fullback, blocking for Jaguars legend Fred Taylor.
But Jones’ pro career was riddled with injuries, and he was limited to just 913 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns over a 10-year career with the Jaguars and Houston Texans. Jones’s career was notable in that he lost only one fumble in a decade as a pro. Jones retired from football in 2014.
Telvin Smith, Linebacker
Arriving at Florida State in 2010, Smith was a dominating defender for coach Jimbo Fisher on the 2013 national championship team. During that magical run to a BCS title, Smith recorded 75 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions-two of which were returned for a touchdown. As a result, Smith was named second-team All-ACC and finished with 199 career tackles at Florida State.
In 2014, the Jaguars selected Smith in the fifth-round, and he had a distinguished 5-year pro career. In 2017, Smith earned second-team All-Pro honors and was named to the Pro Bowl. When his NFL career ended, Smith had recorded 587 tackles, nine interceptions, 26 passes defended and scored four defensive touchdowns.
Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback
A lockdown cornerback with track speed, Ramsey was another talented member of the Seminoles 2013 national championship team. Ramsey was named first-team All-ACC in 2014 and 2015, and was a two-time All-American, earning Consensus All-American honors in 2015. He racked up 181 career tackles at Florida State, with three interceptions, 21 passes defended and three sacks.
In 2016, Ramsey was selected fifth overall by the Jaguars and played four seasons in Jacksonville. He helped lead the Jaguars to the playoffs after a 10-year hiatus. After a trade to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, Ramsey and the Rams won Super Bowl LVI. Ramsey also played with the Miami Dolphins and is currently suiting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 11 years in the NFL, Ramsey was a three-time, first-team All-Pro, named to the Pro Bowl eight times, and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers Association. He registered 622 tackles, 116 passes defended and 25 interceptions.
From the ball-security of Jones, to Smith and Ramsey forging and anchoring a playoff-caliber defense, the Seminoles played a big part in some of the Jaguars winning years on the gridiron. Could Florida State DT Darrell Jackson continue the legacy with the Jaguars? We will find out this week in Pittsburgh.
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