Kobe Jones

BIOGRAPHY

Kobe Montrell Jones, born on May 10, 1998, is an American professional football linebacker admired for his tenacity and dedication to the sport. Currently a key player for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL), Jones’ football career stretches back to his high school days, through college, the early starts of his professional journey, and his more recent endeavors.

Jones spent his early life in Starkville, Mississippi, where he was born to his parents, Telesia and Melvin Jones. His football journey began at Starkville High School, where he displayed immense potential and contributed significantly to his team’s successes, eventually playing an integral role in leading the squad to a state championship for their region. This early success led to his selection in the prestigious Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game, marking him as a promising young talent to keep an eye on.

Recognizing his potential in the sport, ESPN had marked Jones as a four-star recruit – no small feat. Choosing to remain close to his roots in Starkville, Jones chose to further his education and football career at Mississippi State University. His first year there was marked as a redshirt year, meaning, he wasn’t part of the active roster. However, in his redshirt freshman season, Jones made a considerable impact, appearing in all thirteen games and even recording his first sack during the season’s finale at the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl against Louisville.

In the subsequent years, his performances showed consistency and improvement. In particular, Jones showed remarkable performance in his junior year. He appeared in thirteen games, started one of those, and ended second in the number of sacks within the team, recording four in total. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones’ senior year was shortened. Nonetheless, he started eleven games and gained recognition for his community service through an inclusion to the SEC Community Service Team.

The year 2021 came with a significant but challenging milestone for Jones’ career. Despite going undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, he was let go in an effort to truncate the Falcons’ roster.

Subsequently, Jones went on to sign with the Miami Dolphins and then the Tennessee Titans under reserve/future contracts. However, his time with both teams was curtailed — he was waived on separate occasions before making a major impact.

In a significant turnaround, Jones signed with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad in May 2022. After proving his worth, he was elevated to an active roster spot for a crucial game against the Buffalo Bills in the regular season. Unfortunately, he later got released on November 1, 2022.

Following his departure from the Packers, Jones joined the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, where he later signed a reserve/future contract. However, his tenure with the Panthers ended as he was waived in August 2023.

Despite these setbacks, Jones remained undeterred. He briefly ventured into Canadian football with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but later returned to American soil by signing up with the New England Patriots in August 2024. However, he was waived shortly after, leading him to his current team, the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL, to date.

Jones’ story highlights persistent dedication and undying love for the sport, showing that every setback was just a setup for a comeback. As his journey continues, he stands not just as a linebacker but a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.