Florida quarterback Emory Jones has decided to leave Gainesville and is entering the transfer portal.
"I'm looking for a stable place that will welcome me, is excited to have me there and the right situation and fit," Jones told ESPN in a phone interview Saturday after announcing his intention on social media. "I mean I want to find a place that is able to win. That's what I want to do, honestly. A place with a history of winning."
Jones' private quarterback trainer, Quincy Avery, told ESPN on Friday that Jones had informed Florida coaches of his plans.
Jones said new Gators coach Billy Napier encouraged him to remain with the program.
He also took the opportunity on Twitter to thank his teammates for the many memories that "will never be forgotten."
Jones, a redshirt senior, started 12 games for Florida in 2021. He completed 64.7% of his passes and finished with 19 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Jones would be immediately eligible and has two seasons to play at his next destination.
"He's looking for an opportunity to compete and play at a high level and display his talents in an offense that suits his skill set," Avery told ESPN.
In December, Jones said publicly he planned to enter the portal, but the new Florida coaching staff met with him at the Gasparilla Bowl and convinced him to go through spring ball. Jones reiterated his commitment to the new staff in recent spring practice interviews.
Jones told ESPN on Saturday that he met with Napier at Florida's bowl game and told him he planned to transfer. He said Napier watched his film and had faith that he could help Jones improve his play and put his full ability as a passer on tape.
After staying in school and starting spring practice, Jones went back to his initial instincts to depart the Florida program. He plans to enroll at a new destination in the summer.
He is on track to graduate in the spring with a degree in telecommunications, which was a big reason why he ended up returning to school.
"Emory has conducted himself with nothing but class and selflessness,'' Napier said in a statement. "It is not surprising that he has earned the respect of his teammates, coaches and this entire organization.
"I am proud of him for everything he's accomplished and for his commitment to complete his degree this spring. He is a young man with a bright future, and I wish him nothing but the best.''
Jones will be one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the NCAA transfer portal during this late window, as only former Georgia quarterback JT Daniels has a more established reputation among quarterbacks currently in the portal.
Multiple coaches from Arizona State followed Jones on social media in the wake of the news. Arizona State has one of the thinnest quarterback rooms among Power Five schools. Other schools that did the same were North Texas, Akron, Arkansas State and Rice.
Jones is a 6-foot-2, 201-pound quarterback who has appeared in 37 games over his four seasons in the program. He brings dual-threat versatility, as he averaged 5.4 yards per carry and rushed for 10 touchdowns over the course of his career.
Jones was among the country's top 60 recruits in the ESPN 300 when he came out of school in 2018. He originally committed to Ohio State before flipping to Florida on Signing Day, one of the first marquee commitments early in Dan Mullen's tenure in Gainesville.
He was vying for the Gators' starting job this spring with front-runner Anthony Richardson, who is recovering from offseason surgery to repair cartilage damage in a knee.
Florida has three other QBs in the mix: Ohio State backup Jack Miller transferred to Gainesville in December and joined redshirt freshmen Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
