One of the most prolific tacklers in North Carolina college football plans to explore transfer options. Linebacker Keno Jones, who recorded a school-record 114 tackles this season for Barton College, has entered his name in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports and citing Jones’ agent.
Jones had a monster season for the D2 Bulldogs. He surpassed Barton’s single-season tackling record held by Shane Perry (102 tackles in 2023). He earned 57 solo stops and finished with nine tackles-for-loss and three sacks. He forced one fumble and recovered three others, including a 36-yard TD return against Shorter.
🚨 To see the latest updates on North Carolina D2 players in the portal, visit our D2 Transfer Portal Tracker hub page.
Only one other player in North Carolina college football has more tackles than Jones this season – Guilford College’s Nick Iannone (125). Jones recorded 19 stops against Conference Carolinas champion North Greenville and had 17 a week later at West Alabama. Jones collected four tackles-for-loss at Ferrum.
Jones is listed at 6-2, 190 pounds on Barton’s 2025 roster. He’s a junior from Rocky Mount and played high school football at nearby Northern Nash.
Jones becomes the second known Barton player to enter the portal since the season ended for the Bulldogs this past Saturday. 247Sports also reported that defensive back Javon Wesley intends to explore transfer options. Wesley made 43 tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up two others this past season.
The transfer portal works differently for non-Division I players. While D1 has just one transfer window (coming up in January), D2 players can transfer anytime up until summer 2026.
