Indiana University Athletics
Jones Poised to Break Out in 2015
8/26/2015 9:51:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Ricky Jones only needed one word to describe the mindset he's had throughout his Indiana career.
Patient.
The redshirt junior receiver hasn't made the impact he confidently believes he will up to this point. A crowded depth chart and injuries combined to limit Jones to just four catches for 60 yards in 16 career games.
But Jones hasn't gotten frustrated. He's kept working. The receiver that teammates are calling "Grandpa" in the locker room recognizes this may be his crucial season to break out into the player only few have had a chance to see.
"I haven't really had the chance to show people who the real Ricky Jones is," he said. "This year is my chance. I'm just excited to be healthy and ready to go. I've got some great teammates around me, and I know this could be a good year for me to really come out."
But who is Ricky Jones?
He describes himself as fast, reliable, confident and maybe underrated at wide receiver. He's shown glimpses of who he as at practice, but he hasn't had the opportunity to show the public his skillset.
Ask offensive coordinator Kevin Johns and he'll call Jones "poised" as a leader. He's someone who's waited a long time to be in the position he's in. Now that he has the opportunity to make an impact, he's taken things in stride.
His quarterback, senior Nate Sudfeld, says he just catches balls. His athletic ability and reach makes up for his 5-foot-10 frame, Sudfeld said.
"Ricky is one of those guys who's just going to go get it," Sudfeld said. "He's been great at really finding ways to get open. He's been super consistent, and I think he's got something to prove, too."
What Jones is proving is that he can play. Up until this point, his career has been plagued by a few more downs than ups.
In 2012, Jones broke his ankle and was forced to redshirt after Indiana's season-opening win against Indiana State. The next year, Jones was limited once again after reinjuring his ankle in practice.
Jones said the effects of two broken ankles slowed him down again last season. He had an increased role, but he was never 100 percent healthy. He still couldn't be the player he wanted to be.
"These last few years, I'm not going to lie, they've been tough," Jones said. "Now, I'm just trying to keep confidence in myself and work to be the best I can and just have a great season to help this team win."
One of Jones' biggest aids through the difficult years struggling with injury was former Hoosier Shane Wynn.
The two grew close at Indiana, both mostly playing in the slot. Like Wynn did before, Jones is expected to play more on the outside this season.
"Shane, that's my best friend right there," Jones said. "He helped me out a lot and kept me confident in myself and motivated. He's given me a lot of advice and just helped me stay positive."
With Wynn's help, Jones managed to grind through the difficult years.
He returned to camp with a renewed sense of confidence evident in the way he carried himself, sophomore wide receiver Simmie Cobbs said. It was obvious to Cobbs that he was excited.
Jones is always talking on the field to anyone willing to listen. Off the field, he keeps talking in the locker room and the film room sharing advice and tips with the rest of his receivers.
"He's really taken on a leadership role, and I think he likes that," Cobbs said. "He's helped out everyone. He's able to share his experiences and make us all better as a group."
Jones said he likes the added pressure of being the group's leader. He understands that some people doubt them because they're young and don't return much production, but like Jones himself, he's reminding his teammates that the 2015 season is a chance to break out.
"We're a young group, but age doesn't mean anything," Jones said. "That's what I keep reminding these guys is that it doesn't matter how old you are. You just need to go out there and play, and I'm really proud of them and the way they're competing."
Jones won't have to wait long to get his chance.
The Hoosiers are under two weeks away from opening up the season Sept. 5 against Southern Illinois at Memorial Stadium. And for the first time in nearly three years, Jones is healthy and confident that he can finally show the world the type of player he is.
"This has been a longtime coming for Ricky," Johns said. "He has a tremendous attitude and has taken everything in stride. I really think this is his time to really break out and be a leader for us on the outside."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Ricky Jones only needed one word to describe the mindset he's had throughout his Indiana career.
Patient.
The redshirt junior receiver hasn't made the impact he confidently believes he will up to this point. A crowded depth chart and injuries combined to limit Jones to just four catches for 60 yards in 16 career games.
But Jones hasn't gotten frustrated. He's kept working. The receiver that teammates are calling "Grandpa" in the locker room recognizes this may be his crucial season to break out into the player only few have had a chance to see.
"I haven't really had the chance to show people who the real Ricky Jones is," he said. "This year is my chance. I'm just excited to be healthy and ready to go. I've got some great teammates around me, and I know this could be a good year for me to really come out."
But who is Ricky Jones?
He describes himself as fast, reliable, confident and maybe underrated at wide receiver. He's shown glimpses of who he as at practice, but he hasn't had the opportunity to show the public his skillset.
Ask offensive coordinator Kevin Johns and he'll call Jones "poised" as a leader. He's someone who's waited a long time to be in the position he's in. Now that he has the opportunity to make an impact, he's taken things in stride.
His quarterback, senior Nate Sudfeld, says he just catches balls. His athletic ability and reach makes up for his 5-foot-10 frame, Sudfeld said.
"Ricky is one of those guys who's just going to go get it," Sudfeld said. "He's been great at really finding ways to get open. He's been super consistent, and I think he's got something to prove, too."
What Jones is proving is that he can play. Up until this point, his career has been plagued by a few more downs than ups.
In 2012, Jones broke his ankle and was forced to redshirt after Indiana's season-opening win against Indiana State. The next year, Jones was limited once again after reinjuring his ankle in practice.
Jones said the effects of two broken ankles slowed him down again last season. He had an increased role, but he was never 100 percent healthy. He still couldn't be the player he wanted to be.
"These last few years, I'm not going to lie, they've been tough," Jones said. "Now, I'm just trying to keep confidence in myself and work to be the best I can and just have a great season to help this team win."
One of Jones' biggest aids through the difficult years struggling with injury was former Hoosier Shane Wynn.
The two grew close at Indiana, both mostly playing in the slot. Like Wynn did before, Jones is expected to play more on the outside this season.
"Shane, that's my best friend right there," Jones said. "He helped me out a lot and kept me confident in myself and motivated. He's given me a lot of advice and just helped me stay positive."
With Wynn's help, Jones managed to grind through the difficult years.
He returned to camp with a renewed sense of confidence evident in the way he carried himself, sophomore wide receiver Simmie Cobbs said. It was obvious to Cobbs that he was excited.
Jones is always talking on the field to anyone willing to listen. Off the field, he keeps talking in the locker room and the film room sharing advice and tips with the rest of his receivers.
"He's really taken on a leadership role, and I think he likes that," Cobbs said. "He's helped out everyone. He's able to share his experiences and make us all better as a group."
Jones said he likes the added pressure of being the group's leader. He understands that some people doubt them because they're young and don't return much production, but like Jones himself, he's reminding his teammates that the 2015 season is a chance to break out.
"We're a young group, but age doesn't mean anything," Jones said. "That's what I keep reminding these guys is that it doesn't matter how old you are. You just need to go out there and play, and I'm really proud of them and the way they're competing."
Jones won't have to wait long to get his chance.
The Hoosiers are under two weeks away from opening up the season Sept. 5 against Southern Illinois at Memorial Stadium. And for the first time in nearly three years, Jones is healthy and confident that he can finally show the world the type of player he is.
"This has been a longtime coming for Ricky," Johns said. "He has a tremendous attitude and has taken everything in stride. I really think this is his time to really break out and be a leader for us on the outside."
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