Indiana University Athletics
Jones, Robinson Excited about Energy in Spring Practice
3/24/2016 7:21:00 PM | Football
By: Tori Ziege, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Fifth-year senior wide receiver Ricky Jones and sophomore defensive lineman Jacob Robinson checked in after the Hoosiers' first practice since spring break to talk about their progress.
Jones is coming off a breakout year in which he finished second on the team and sixth in the Big Ten with 906 yards, a whopping 848-yard improvement from his redshirt sophomore campaign.
He scored his first career touchdown in Indiana's 2015 opener and was a favorite target of quarterback Nate Sudfeld from the thereon out, hauling in five touchdowns, 54 receptions and three 100-yard games.
But here's one thing about Ricky Jones: He knows he can be better.
And in the nascent stages of the season, he's willing to do anything to get there.
"I'm trying to build some speed up and just work on being a better wide receiver than I was last year," Jones said. "So if it's hands, if it's getting in and out of routes, agility, anything. I'm working on all of it right now."
As a junior, Jones was often referred to as the "grandpa" of the young receiving corps. Now, in his fifth and final spring, Jones has taken it upon himself to lead a unit that brings back all of its starters from a season ago. In addition, the Hoosiers are expected to return sophomore J-Shun Harris II, who was granted a medical redshirt after season-ending ACL surgery last summer following a freshman campaign in which he earned Indiana Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors.
Jones wants to see teammates, like a Harris II or sophomore Nick Westbrook make the same leap this year as he did in 2015.
"It's my last one, so there's a bigger emphasis on (leadership)," Jones said. "I just try to teach what I've learned over the years to some of the new guys coming up."
An added wrinkle for wideouts during spring ball is working out with a rotating cast of quarterbacks, all of whom are competing to fill Indiana's starting role. So much of receivers' game is predicated on chemistry and timing. But Jones said working with the quarterback group, which includes six players splitting reps, is going well thus far.
Indiana has seen four different players under center in the past two seasons. So regardless of who is named the starter, this receiving corps knows from experience it needs to be ready to catch passes from anyone.
"Everybody is different," Jones said. "Once we get that connection full-go, we'll be ready for the season."
The defensive unit is also acclimating well to personnel changes under the command of newly hired defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who joined the Hoosiers' staff in mid-January.
After spending ancillary time in the film room over break, Allen had his unit working on technique and tightening formations on Thursday.
"The energy has been great," Robinson said. "Working really hard, getting better every single day with the new defensive coaches. They're really preaching just leaving it all out on the field."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Fifth-year senior wide receiver Ricky Jones and sophomore defensive lineman Jacob Robinson checked in after the Hoosiers' first practice since spring break to talk about their progress.
Jones is coming off a breakout year in which he finished second on the team and sixth in the Big Ten with 906 yards, a whopping 848-yard improvement from his redshirt sophomore campaign.
He scored his first career touchdown in Indiana's 2015 opener and was a favorite target of quarterback Nate Sudfeld from the thereon out, hauling in five touchdowns, 54 receptions and three 100-yard games.
But here's one thing about Ricky Jones: He knows he can be better.
And in the nascent stages of the season, he's willing to do anything to get there.
"I'm trying to build some speed up and just work on being a better wide receiver than I was last year," Jones said. "So if it's hands, if it's getting in and out of routes, agility, anything. I'm working on all of it right now."
As a junior, Jones was often referred to as the "grandpa" of the young receiving corps. Now, in his fifth and final spring, Jones has taken it upon himself to lead a unit that brings back all of its starters from a season ago. In addition, the Hoosiers are expected to return sophomore J-Shun Harris II, who was granted a medical redshirt after season-ending ACL surgery last summer following a freshman campaign in which he earned Indiana Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors.
Jones wants to see teammates, like a Harris II or sophomore Nick Westbrook make the same leap this year as he did in 2015.
"It's my last one, so there's a bigger emphasis on (leadership)," Jones said. "I just try to teach what I've learned over the years to some of the new guys coming up."
An added wrinkle for wideouts during spring ball is working out with a rotating cast of quarterbacks, all of whom are competing to fill Indiana's starting role. So much of receivers' game is predicated on chemistry and timing. But Jones said working with the quarterback group, which includes six players splitting reps, is going well thus far.
Indiana has seen four different players under center in the past two seasons. So regardless of who is named the starter, this receiving corps knows from experience it needs to be ready to catch passes from anyone.
"Everybody is different," Jones said. "Once we get that connection full-go, we'll be ready for the season."
The defensive unit is also acclimating well to personnel changes under the command of newly hired defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who joined the Hoosiers' staff in mid-January.
After spending ancillary time in the film room over break, Allen had his unit working on technique and tightening formations on Thursday.
"The energy has been great," Robinson said. "Working really hard, getting better every single day with the new defensive coaches. They're really preaching just leaving it all out on the field."
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