Indiana University Athletics
Jones Enjoying the Moment
9/30/2016 11:28:00 AM | Football
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Ricky Jones has a fond memory of Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson when he looks back on his five years as a Hoosier.
"It was a Friday practice, and Coach Wilson was standing in the box like he was a linebacker," Jones held back laughter as he began to remember the moment. "Tevin Coleman was running down the middle, and he literally ran straight through coach like he wasn't there. Coach Wilson got up and started yelling, and then everybody started yelling and getting hyped. It was great team bonding."
His collegiate career is loaded with memorable landmarks, highs and lows both on and away from Memorial Stadium. A series of injury struggles limited Jones to just four appearances and one reception in his first two seasons, and although he saw action in all 12 games in his sophomore campaign, he snagged only three catches. He began to wonder when he would make his mark on Indiana football.
And then, in the first game of his junior season in 2015, Jones got his chance. He nailed it.
Indiana began 2015 with a thrilling victory over Southern Illinois. In that contest, Jones hauled in a career-high six receptions for 186 yards, caught his longest pass for 71 yards and scored his first touchdown on a 57-yard play.
"It was a great feeling," Jones said when thinking back on that game. "But more than that, I was just trying to do whatever I could to help my team win and making sure that I'm fighting for the guys around me and they're doing the same. I have my own personal goals, and it was cool to have recognition in the Big Ten, but I would give it all away if it meant a win for the team."
It's that sort of attitude that makes his teammates overjoyed when he has a big game. The big games rolled in for Jones last season, as he finished sixth in the Big Ten in receiving yards (906) and 11th in touchdowns (5).
"It's great to see that happen to people who have been set back, and they go out there and finally get what they've been working towards," IU tight end Danny Friend said. "Even this season, he didn't catch a lot of balls in the first couple games, but he kept coming to work. You saw against Wake Forest what happens when he gets his opportunities."
Jones made a similar return to form against the Demon Deacons. After tallying 18 yards on three catches in Indiana's first two games, Jones erupted for a new career-high of 208 yards on eight catches, including 65- and 50-yarders down the sideline. It was the sixth 200-yard receiving game in IU football history.
"I have to thank Rich [Lagow], it's all on him," Jones said. "Like Coach Wilson says, it's all about where the ball lines up. The play calls went my way, Rich trusted me and I made the play."
His game play, and his preparation for gameday, doesn't go unnoticed by teammates and the coaching staff. Jones is looked to as a leader, as many fifth-year seniors are, but he's one who speaks with actions rather than words.
"He's a quiet leader," Friend said. "He comes to work every day and busts his butt. You can see it in the way he does things, how he works with the younger guys. He demands that those guys go out there and play at the level he does. You can tell when Ricky is out there; he has a presence about himself. You know he's going to go out there and play as hard as he can every play, there's no doubt about that."
Jones credits his position coach, offensive coordinator Kevin Johns, for his work ethic and his ability to form a cohesive receiving unit. He holds the entire corps to an All-American standard, Jones said, while also ensuring that the group forms a brotherhood during their years together.
"Everybody knows that nothing's personal when Coach Johns is getting on you," Jones said. He's going to get on you to make sure that you're competing at that high level and striving for greatness."
The pursuit of excellence continues for Jones, who has aspirations of attending the NFL Combine and advancing his football career in the professional ranks. Before that, Jones hopes to lead this Hoosier team to greatness in his final year, creating foundational memories along the way.
"We want the Big Ten Championship, and we want to win a bowl game. That would be the perfect season," Jones said. "This is my last time, my last go at it. I just want to make sure we leave our mark on the Big Ten this year, and this is my last chance to do it."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Ricky Jones has a fond memory of Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson when he looks back on his five years as a Hoosier.
"It was a Friday practice, and Coach Wilson was standing in the box like he was a linebacker," Jones held back laughter as he began to remember the moment. "Tevin Coleman was running down the middle, and he literally ran straight through coach like he wasn't there. Coach Wilson got up and started yelling, and then everybody started yelling and getting hyped. It was great team bonding."
His collegiate career is loaded with memorable landmarks, highs and lows both on and away from Memorial Stadium. A series of injury struggles limited Jones to just four appearances and one reception in his first two seasons, and although he saw action in all 12 games in his sophomore campaign, he snagged only three catches. He began to wonder when he would make his mark on Indiana football.
And then, in the first game of his junior season in 2015, Jones got his chance. He nailed it.
Indiana began 2015 with a thrilling victory over Southern Illinois. In that contest, Jones hauled in a career-high six receptions for 186 yards, caught his longest pass for 71 yards and scored his first touchdown on a 57-yard play.
"It was a great feeling," Jones said when thinking back on that game. "But more than that, I was just trying to do whatever I could to help my team win and making sure that I'm fighting for the guys around me and they're doing the same. I have my own personal goals, and it was cool to have recognition in the Big Ten, but I would give it all away if it meant a win for the team."
It's that sort of attitude that makes his teammates overjoyed when he has a big game. The big games rolled in for Jones last season, as he finished sixth in the Big Ten in receiving yards (906) and 11th in touchdowns (5).
"It's great to see that happen to people who have been set back, and they go out there and finally get what they've been working towards," IU tight end Danny Friend said. "Even this season, he didn't catch a lot of balls in the first couple games, but he kept coming to work. You saw against Wake Forest what happens when he gets his opportunities."
Jones made a similar return to form against the Demon Deacons. After tallying 18 yards on three catches in Indiana's first two games, Jones erupted for a new career-high of 208 yards on eight catches, including 65- and 50-yarders down the sideline. It was the sixth 200-yard receiving game in IU football history.
"I have to thank Rich [Lagow], it's all on him," Jones said. "Like Coach Wilson says, it's all about where the ball lines up. The play calls went my way, Rich trusted me and I made the play."
His game play, and his preparation for gameday, doesn't go unnoticed by teammates and the coaching staff. Jones is looked to as a leader, as many fifth-year seniors are, but he's one who speaks with actions rather than words.
"He's a quiet leader," Friend said. "He comes to work every day and busts his butt. You can see it in the way he does things, how he works with the younger guys. He demands that those guys go out there and play at the level he does. You can tell when Ricky is out there; he has a presence about himself. You know he's going to go out there and play as hard as he can every play, there's no doubt about that."
Jones credits his position coach, offensive coordinator Kevin Johns, for his work ethic and his ability to form a cohesive receiving unit. He holds the entire corps to an All-American standard, Jones said, while also ensuring that the group forms a brotherhood during their years together.
"Everybody knows that nothing's personal when Coach Johns is getting on you," Jones said. He's going to get on you to make sure that you're competing at that high level and striving for greatness."
The pursuit of excellence continues for Jones, who has aspirations of attending the NFL Combine and advancing his football career in the professional ranks. Before that, Jones hopes to lead this Hoosier team to greatness in his final year, creating foundational memories along the way.
"We want the Big Ten Championship, and we want to win a bowl game. That would be the perfect season," Jones said. "This is my last time, my last go at it. I just want to make sure we leave our mark on the Big Ten this year, and this is my last chance to do it."
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