Carl Jones Jr. Bio
Carl Jones Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He wears jersey number 48 and is listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and 223 lb (101 kg). After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, he began his professional career with the Chicago Bears and later joined the Baltimore Ravens in December 2025.
Early Life and Background
Carl Jones Jr. was born on August 8, 2001, in Bakersfield, California. He grew up in the same central California city that has produced several notable athletes, and his early years were marked by a strong interest in multiple sports. As a young athlete, Jones was a multi-sport competitor, which helped build the versatility that would later define his football career.
He attended Golden Valley High School in Bakersfield, California, before transferring to Bakersfield High School. At those schools, he participated in football, basketball, and track and field, demonstrating his athletic range. During his high school career, he played quarterback on offense and contributed on defense, showing the multi-positional ability that would eventually catch the attention of college recruiters.
As a junior, he played quarterback, throwing for seven touchdowns and running for 556 yards and six touchdowns. As a senior, he ran for 296 yards and six touchdowns, caught 24 receptions for 589 yards and seven touchdowns, and recorded 66 tackles on defense. Rated as a three-star recruit, Jones committed to play college football for the UCLA Bruins, launching the next phase of his football development.
Path to American Football
Carl Jones Jr.’s path to professional football began in Bakersfield, where his high school performance as a versatile playmaker earned him a scholarship to UCLA. He joined the UCLA Bruins as a highly regarded recruit out of Bakersfield, ready to test himself against top-tier collegiate competition.
At UCLA, Jones transitioned from being a safety in high school to a linebacker, also seeing time as an edge rusher. The position change was significant, but his athletic background and physical tools allowed him to make a smooth adjustment. His development under the UCLA coaching staff laid the foundation for his eventual professional opportunity.
Carl Jones Jr. Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
As a freshman at UCLA in 2019, Jones appeared in all 12 games, with two starts, and finished with 24 tackles. He played all seven games in 2020, recording 21 tackles in a season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across his first three seasons, he steadily built his resume as a reserve defender while learning the linebacker position.
Jones played in all 12 games in 2021 and all 13 games in 2022, totaling 28 tackles in his junior campaign. Most of his action during that period came as a reserve, but he continued to accumulate valuable game experience. As a senior in 2023, Jones appeared in all 13 games, four as a starter, and finished with 31 tackles and two sacks, capping his collegiate career with a strong season.
UCLA Breakthrough (2019–2023)
Over his full college career at UCLA, Jones concluded with 135 tackles, 23.0 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), and eight sacks. Those totals reflected a player who had developed into a productive and disruptive defensive presence. His combination of size, speed, and football intelligence made him a versatile defender capable of playing multiple roles in the front seven.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–2025)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Carl Jones Jr. signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Jones was elevated to the active roster on November 9, for the team’s Week 10 game against the New England Patriots, and made his NFL debut in that game, appearing on 12 special teams snaps.
He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on January 6, 2025. On August 28, 2025, Jones was waived by the Bears and re-signed to the practice squad three days later. He was promoted to the active roster on September 27, released on November 6, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later before being signed back to the active roster on November 22. On December 6, 2025, Jones was waived by the Bears, ending his initial NFL chapter with the organization.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025–Present)
On December 8, 2025, Jones was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens. The move gave him a fresh opportunity with a contending AFC franchise known for its defensive tradition. As of his arrival, he joined the Ravens’ active roster wearing jersey number 48, ready to contribute on special teams and in a reserve linebacker role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carl Jones Jr. is recognized for his versatility, having played safety, linebacker, and edge rusher across his career. His background as a high school quarterback gives him strong field awareness and the ability to read offensive plays. At 6 ft 0 in and 223 lb, he combines the mobility of a defensive back with the physicality needed at the linebacker position, making him a useful special teams contributor and rotational defender.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones of Carl Jones Jr.’s career came on November 9, 2024, when he made his NFL debut with the Chicago Bears in a Week 10 game against the New England Patriots. Another defining moment arrived on December 8, 2025, when he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens, securing his place on an NFL roster for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Carl Jones Jr. Career Wins
Carl Jones Jr.’s professional career is still in its early stages, and his statistical ledger reflects a young player establishing himself as a reserve and special teams contributor. While individual game victories at the team level are tied to the Bears and Ravens franchises, his personal production is measured through his tackles, special teams snaps, and the opportunities he has earned along the way.
NFL Highlights
Through Week 16 of the 2025 season, Jones had recorded 11 total tackles in his NFL career. His first appearance came in November 2024 with the Bears, and his most recent activity has been with the Baltimore Ravens after being claimed off waivers in December 2025. As a reserve defender and core special teams player, his role has been to provide depth and energy rather than serve as a primary statistical producer.
Carl Jones Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carl Jones Jr. is an American athlete from Bakersfield, California, where he was raised before moving on to college and professional football. Publicly available information about his parents and broader family background is limited, and details beyond his hometown and upbringing have not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Carl Jones Jr. is known professionally by his full name, Carl Jones Jr., and his social media presence is maintained under the handle @db_carl on X. Beyond his football career, he has not publicly shared extensive details about his personal relationships, marital status, or children, and that information is not documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Carl Jones Jr.’s 2025 NFL season has been a journey of movement between rosters and practice squads. He began the year on a reserve/future contract with the Chicago Bears, was waived on August 28, and re-signed to the practice squad three days later. After being promoted to the active roster on September 27, released on November 6, and signed back to the practice squad, he was returned to the active roster on November 22 before being waived again on December 6.
His late-season waiver claim by the Baltimore Ravens on December 8, 2025, gave him a fresh opportunity on a competitive AFC roster. The move provided stability to close the year and a chance to compete in a defensive system known for developing linebackers and aggressive front-seven players.
Looking ahead, Jones’s path to a more permanent NFL role will depend on his performance in practice, on special teams, and in any rotational opportunities with the Ravens. With his athletic profile and proven ability to play multiple positions, he remains a developmental prospect with room to grow. His outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond is tied to consistency, durability, and continued improvement as he works to establish himself as a long-term NFL contributor.