Indiana University Athletics
Jones Comfortable, Ready to Play Outside
9/2/2015 4:24:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
Ricky Jones is undersized for an outside wide receiver. That's not changing anytime soon.
The redshirt junior measures 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. He gives up six inches and 45 pounds to sophomore Simmie Cobbs, Jr., who starts opposite Jones on the other side of the field.
Naturally, Jones is already thinking about matchup problems against much taller, heavier cornerbacks. But he's not about to modify his own game or playing style.
He's more preoccupied with figuring out how opponents are going to limit him.
"They've got to stop me, too," Jones said Monday. "If you play with confidence and learn the offense, you can get open."
Jones—who's been limited throughout his career with a pair of ankle injuries—didn't come to Indiana to line up on the outside. He arrived at fall camp in 2012 as a slot receiver where players of his physical stature are more accustomed to playing.
But in the spring of 2014, Jones was moved to the outside around the same time former-Hoosier slot receiver Shane Wynn was making the same transition.
When Jones found out he was moving, he grabbed a playbook and started studying. He started watching different film and asking senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld for help.
He was only moving about 10 yards or so farther away from the ball, but the slot and outside positions are "very different," Jones said.
Instead of working to find space among linebackers and safeties, Jones was dealing with the constant pestering of cornerbacks in more one-on-one man press situations that initially caused him some trouble.
"I sat down with Coach (Kevin) Johns and learned the ways of getting off the press and getting off different techniques," Jones said. "Nate loves to throw it to the sidelines, so I have no problems playing out there."
Jones spent last season learning his new craft behind the scenes with Wynn, who he calls his best friend.
Jones doesn't play quite as small as Wynn, head coach Kevin Wilson said. He considers Jones more of a hybrid who has some of the advantages of a slot receiver without giving up all the traits of a more conventional outside threat.
"He doesn't play small to me," Wilson said. "What he gives you is that speed that sometimes the big guy doesn't have. So the big guy can make the jump ball, but the smaller guy can separate. So bottom line, you just kind of find those routes that he likes."
Jones said he won't be picky when it comes to his own routes, but he understands his own strengths and weaknesses.
He'll leave the jump balls for teammates like Cobbs, who are more comfortable using their size to outjump opponents. Jones is more likely to rely on his speed whether it be in making a sudden cut to find space or getting down the field to chase down a deep ball.
"He's an outstanding route runner, and I think more than anything else, he's developed some really strong hands," Johns said. "And I mean Cody Latimer strong where you throw him the ball in the slant on third down, he's going to make the grab and he's going to hang onto it…You feel good about calling that guy's number in a big-time situation."
Jones has been patiently waiting for that moment when the ball is thrown his way. For the last three years, he's been held back.
Now healthy and comfortable on the outside, Jones couldn't be more set to take the field.
"It's the greatest feeling ever," Jones said. "Every night, it's hard to sleep just realizing that I'm going to be finally back up there 100 percent. Not being able to play sine freshman year, it's been a long time. So I'm ready. That's all I can say. I'm ready."
IUHoosiers.com
Ricky Jones is undersized for an outside wide receiver. That's not changing anytime soon.
The redshirt junior measures 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. He gives up six inches and 45 pounds to sophomore Simmie Cobbs, Jr., who starts opposite Jones on the other side of the field.
Naturally, Jones is already thinking about matchup problems against much taller, heavier cornerbacks. But he's not about to modify his own game or playing style.
He's more preoccupied with figuring out how opponents are going to limit him.
"They've got to stop me, too," Jones said Monday. "If you play with confidence and learn the offense, you can get open."
Jones—who's been limited throughout his career with a pair of ankle injuries—didn't come to Indiana to line up on the outside. He arrived at fall camp in 2012 as a slot receiver where players of his physical stature are more accustomed to playing.
But in the spring of 2014, Jones was moved to the outside around the same time former-Hoosier slot receiver Shane Wynn was making the same transition.
When Jones found out he was moving, he grabbed a playbook and started studying. He started watching different film and asking senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld for help.
He was only moving about 10 yards or so farther away from the ball, but the slot and outside positions are "very different," Jones said.
Instead of working to find space among linebackers and safeties, Jones was dealing with the constant pestering of cornerbacks in more one-on-one man press situations that initially caused him some trouble.
"I sat down with Coach (Kevin) Johns and learned the ways of getting off the press and getting off different techniques," Jones said. "Nate loves to throw it to the sidelines, so I have no problems playing out there."
Jones spent last season learning his new craft behind the scenes with Wynn, who he calls his best friend.
Jones doesn't play quite as small as Wynn, head coach Kevin Wilson said. He considers Jones more of a hybrid who has some of the advantages of a slot receiver without giving up all the traits of a more conventional outside threat.
"He doesn't play small to me," Wilson said. "What he gives you is that speed that sometimes the big guy doesn't have. So the big guy can make the jump ball, but the smaller guy can separate. So bottom line, you just kind of find those routes that he likes."
Jones said he won't be picky when it comes to his own routes, but he understands his own strengths and weaknesses.
He'll leave the jump balls for teammates like Cobbs, who are more comfortable using their size to outjump opponents. Jones is more likely to rely on his speed whether it be in making a sudden cut to find space or getting down the field to chase down a deep ball.
"He's an outstanding route runner, and I think more than anything else, he's developed some really strong hands," Johns said. "And I mean Cody Latimer strong where you throw him the ball in the slant on third down, he's going to make the grab and he's going to hang onto it…You feel good about calling that guy's number in a big-time situation."
Jones has been patiently waiting for that moment when the ball is thrown his way. For the last three years, he's been held back.
Now healthy and comfortable on the outside, Jones couldn't be more set to take the field.
"It's the greatest feeling ever," Jones said. "Every night, it's hard to sleep just realizing that I'm going to be finally back up there 100 percent. Not being able to play sine freshman year, it's been a long time. So I'm ready. That's all I can say. I'm ready."
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