The one and only Walter Jones hails from Aliceville, Alabama. After high school Jones enrolled at Holmes Community College in Mississippi, where he played for two seasons at both offensive tackle and tight end. In his final season he was named the Mississippi Junior College Player of the Year. In his two seasons with the Bulldogs Jones only allowed one sack.
Jones of course transferred to Florida State to play under then-head coach Bobby Bowden, but he redshirted his first season in the Garnet and Gold in 1995. The following season FSU initially placed Jones at guard before injuries forced a move to tackle.