Carl Jones Jr. Bio
Carl Jones Jr. (born August 8, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 224 pounds, he plays the linebacker position at the professional level. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, he began his professional career as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears before eventually being claimed by the Baltimore Ravens.
Jones built his reputation during a productive college career at UCLA, where he made the transition from high school safety to collegiate linebacker and edge rusher. He appeared in 57 games across five seasons for the Bruins, compiling impressive defensive totals that helped him earn a pathway into the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Carl Jones Jr. was born on August 8, 2001, in Bakersfield, California. He grew up in the Central Valley region of the state and attended Golden Valley High School before transferring to Bakersfield High School to complete his high school career. The move between programs did not slow his athletic development, as he continued to participate in football, basketball, and track and field throughout his teenage years.
At Golden Valley and Bakersfield, Jones emerged as a versatile multi-sport athlete. He played quarterback as a junior, throwing for seven touchdowns and adding 556 rushing yards with six more scores on the ground. As a senior, he shifted into a different role, recording 296 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, 24 receptions for 589 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns, while also contributing 66 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
Jones was rated a three-star recruit coming out of high school. His combination of production, athleticism, and versatility drew attention from several college programs, and he ultimately committed to play college football for the UCLA Bruins.
Path to American Football
Jones’s path to professional American football began in earnest at UCLA, where he made a notable position change. Coaches moved him from the safety position he had played in high school to linebacker, and he also spent time working as an edge rusher. The transition allowed him to use his frame and athleticism in new ways, and he steadily developed into a reliable defensive contributor for the Bruins.
As a freshman in 2019, Jones appeared in all 12 games for UCLA, starting two of them, and recorded 24 tackles. He played all seven games during the 2020 season and posted 21 tackles. In 2021, he appeared in all 12 games, and in 2022 he played in all 13 contests, finishing the year with 28 tackles while serving mostly as a reserve.
His senior season in 2023 represented his most productive college campaign. Jones appeared in all 13 games and made four starts, finishing the year with 31 tackles and two sacks. He concluded his collegiate career with totals of 135 tackles, 23.0 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, a strong statistical foundation that supported his pursuit of an NFL opportunity.
Carl Jones Jr. Career
Early Career (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Carl Jones Jr. signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional football career. His initial stint in Chicago was short, as the Bears waived him on August 27, 2024. The following day, the team re-signed him to its practice squad, keeping him within the organization.
On November 9, 2024, Jones was elevated to the active roster for the Bears’ Week 10 game against the New England Patriots. He made his NFL debut in that contest, appearing on 12 special teams snaps. Following the season, he signed a reserve and future contract with Chicago on January 6, 2025, securing his place with the team heading into the next league year.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2024-2025)
Jones’s real opportunity with the Bears came in 2025, as he moved between the active roster and the practice squad during the early portion of the season. On August 28, 2025, he was waived by Chicago and re-signed to the practice squad three days later. He was promoted to the active roster on September 27, demonstrating that the team valued his development and wanted him available for game-day duty.
His time on the active roster was brief before another move, as he was released on November 6 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later. The back-and-forth reflected the reality of life on a roster bubble, but Jones continued to earn opportunities. He was signed back to the active roster on November 22, and he remained there until December 6, 2025, when he was waived by the Bears. Over the course of the 2025 season, he appeared in multiple games for Chicago, primarily contributing on special teams while continuing to develop his linebacker skills.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025-Present)
On December 8, 2025, Carl Jones Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens, giving him a fresh start with a new organization. The move placed him on a defense known for its physicality and depth at the linebacker position, offering him an opportunity to continue building his professional resume.
With the Ravens, Jones joined a roster looking to make a deep postseason run. His prior special teams experience in Chicago, combined with his linebacker background from UCLA, positioned him as a depth option who could contribute in multiple phases of the game. The transition marked a new chapter in his young career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jones’s early professional career came on November 9, 2024, when he made his NFL debut for the Chicago Bears against the New England Patriots. Recording 12 special teams snaps in that game marked his official arrival in the league. His subsequent claim by the Baltimore Ravens in December 2025 represented another major milestone, as he transitioned to one of the NFL’s most established defensive organizations.
Carl Jones Jr. Career Wins
As an undrafted free agent who entered the league in 2024, Carl Jones Jr. is still in the early stages of his professional career, and detailed individual game or statistical win totals are not yet available across his time with the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens. His progression has been measured more in roster transactions and special teams appearances than in headline statistics.
Other Wins and Performances
While specific game-by-game win totals for Jones are not yet documented at the professional level, his college résumé stands as his most established record of performance. At UCLA, he tallied 135 tackles, 23.0 tackles for loss, and eight sacks across 57 games, with his senior season in 2023 producing his strongest output of 31 tackles and two sacks. Those numbers reflect the kind of steady, rotational contribution that has shaped his professional trajectory.
Carl Jones Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Carl Jones Jr.’s immediate family background is limited. He grew up in Bakersfield, California, and participated in football, basketball, and track and field during his high school years, suggesting an athletic upbringing, though specific family details have not been widely documented.
Personal Life
Details about Carl Jones Jr.’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He is known by the nickname-style social media handle associated with his online presence, and he continues to focus on his professional football career with the Baltimore Ravens.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Carl Jones Jr., as he spent time moving between the active roster and the practice squad of the Chicago Bears before ultimately being claimed by the Baltimore Ravens. His role with Chicago centered largely on special teams, with the Bears evaluating him throughout the season as a developing linebacker prospect. The repeated roster moves reflected the competitive nature of NFL roster management, and Jones continued to put himself in position to contribute when called upon.
After being waived by the Bears on December 6, 2025, Jones was claimed by the Ravens two days later on December 8, 2025. Joining Baltimore late in the regular season gave him an opportunity to integrate into a contending defense and contribute during the stretch run. The Ravens’ defensive scheme, which has historically emphasized physical linebacker play, offered a fitting environment for his skill set.
Looking ahead from the 2025 campaign, Jones’s outlook centers on establishing a more permanent role within the Ravens organization. His special teams reliability and his college production as a tackler and pass rusher give him a foundation to build on, and his late-season move to Baltimore represents an opportunity to compete for a more defined defensive role going forward.