How D.J. Jones' Flip from FSU to Ole Miss Impacts Recruiting Landscape

Florida State held a commitment from top-ranked junior college defensive tackle D.J. Jones for five months. The Seminoles fell short of sealing the deal, as the 4-star standout flipped to Ole Miss on Wednesday morning and signed a national letter of intent to join the Rebels in 2015, per David Johnson of 247Sports.

Jones, who initially pledged to the defending national champions in July, was considered one of the top prospects up for grabs on JUCO national signing day. He rates sixth nationally among all JUCO recruits in 247Sports' composite rankings and fielded scholarship offers from more than 15 college teams.

Despite his longstanding verbal pact with Florida State, other options gradually entered the picture. His signing ceremony featured three team hats on the table—Florida State, South Carolina and Ole Miss:

The loss creates a hole along the defensive interior for Jimbo Fisher's 2015 class. The group currently includes 5-star defenders Josh Sweat, Tarvarus McFadden and Derwin James, but Jones played a crucial role as a lane-clogger and penetrative tackle, along with 4-star commit Darvin Taylor.

With the 6'2", 310-pound playmaker headed to Oxford, Florida State must search elsewhere as high school signing day approaches. 

Illinois 5-star defensive end Terry Beckner probably tops the list. The 6'4", 293-pound East St. Louis High School senior is rated 16th overall in 247Sports' composite rankings. 

He's a versatile lineman capable of rushing the quarterback off the edge or sliding inside to take on inside rushing efforts. Beckner tallied 118 tackles, nine sacks and two interceptions as a junior and overwhelmed elite offensive linemen this summer at The Opening, an invite-only prospect showcase held at Nike's world headquarters.

Florida State has stayed persistent in this pursuit, which becomes substantially more critical with Jones out of the equation. Beckner, who spent an official visit in Tallahassee last month, is projected to sign with Missouri by 74 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

Beyond Beckner, the Seminoles could ramp up efforts to reel in Canadian defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, who traveled to Florida State in October for an official visit.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss is in prime position to capitalize on the big addition. The Rebels are believed to be a favorite for 5-star Florida defensive end CeCe Jefferson.

The team's sales pitch to Jefferson and other edge-rushes becomes increasingly more compelling given Jones' elite skill set inside. 

Ole Miss also signed top-ranked JUCO defensive back Tony Bridges, a former Auburn commit, on Wednesday. The Rebels currently hold the country's No. 16 recruiting class in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.