Former LSU standout linebacker Deion Jones is once again a free agent after the San Francisco 49ers released him Sunday as part of final roster cuts.
Jones, a New Orleans native who starred for the Tigers from 2012 to 2015, had joined the 49ers less than a week earlier in a trade from the New Orleans Saints. The move reunited him briefly with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, under whom he played in Atlanta, but his time in San Francisco ended with the league-wide reduction to 53-man rosters.
During his four seasons at LSU, Jones developed into a reliable and productive defender in a program known for producing NFL talent. He appeared in 51 games with 12 starts, totaling 165 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, five sacks, four passes defensed, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
Those numbers reflected the physical, instinctive style that made him a standout in the SEC and positioned him for a high draft selection.
The Falcons selected Jones in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, 52nd overall, after his strong collegiate career in Baton Rouge. He wasted little time making an impact in the league, starting 13 of 15 games as a rookie and recording 108 tackles with three interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns.
The following season he earned Pro Bowl honors with a career-high 138 tackles and three more interceptions while starting all 16 games.
Over 10 NFL seasons, the former Tiger has appeared in 128 regular-season games with 91 starts. His career totals include 761 tackles, 12 sacks, 13 interceptions for 384 return yards and five defensive touchdowns, 53 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In the playoffs he has added production across six games, including five starts.
Jones spent his first six professional seasons with Atlanta before stops with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season he played all 17 games for the Buccaneers primarily on special teams and as a reserve, collecting 29 tackles. He signed with his hometown Saints in early August before the brief trade to San Francisco.
For LSU fans who followed Jones through his Tiger days, the release marks another chapter in a durable NFL career that began with promise in Death Valley. His combination of size, speed and ball skills that translated from the college level to the pros remains evident in the statistical body of work he has compiled.
At 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, Jones has shown the ability to contribute in multiple schemes and roles, from full-time starter early in his career to experienced depth and special teams contributor in recent years. That versatility has kept him in the league for a decade after leaving LSU.
As teams finalize their regular-season plans, the former Tiger becomes available to any club seeking veteran linebacker experience. His track record of production, including double-digit interceptions and multiple defensive scores, offers a reminder of the talent that once patrolled the middle of the LSU defense.
Jones’ journey from Baton Rouge to the NFL and through multiple franchises underscores the pipeline of players who have moved from LSU to professional success. While his latest opportunity with the 49ers proved short-lived, the numbers he has posted since college continue to support his value as a reliable and accomplished defender.
LSU supporters tracking former players will watch to see where the New Orleans product lands next as the 2026 season approaches.
