Science, Football and Cam Jones Final College Act
4/13/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Football ain't science.
Or is it?
Consider Cam Jones, Indiana's senior linebacker. He's taking advantage of a COVID-created fifth season intent on going out on winning terms.
Ending his college career with last season's disappointment wasn't going to happen.
And that, as it turns out, leads to science, of a sort.
In the off-season, head coach Tom Allen hired Chad Wilt as his new defensive coordinator.
One of the things they do, Jones says, is, "Challenge us on a daily basis."
That's mental as much as physical. Wilt's new ideas include an equation he wrote on the board for all to see:
E + R = O.
Event plus Response equals Outcome.
Granted, it's not as change-the-world notable as, say, E=MC2, which means Energy equals mass times the speed of light squared, which basically means energy and matter are different forms of the same thing, which never made a Knute Rockne speech, but that misses the point.
Winning defense is.
Jones offers clarity.
"We don't have a lot of say about the event (such as a scheduled game)," Jones says, "but our response to the event weighs more than the actual event."
In Wilt's view, the event is worth 10 percent, the response is worth 90 percent, which equals 100 percent for the outcome.
The motivational benefits are already kicking in, Jones says.
"Not only does this defense continue to respond, but the offensive side as well. It's the whole team.
"We're taking it day by day; building it brick by brick. We are responding to the challenges we have to overcome."
The 6-2, 22-pound Jones has built a Hoosier career on responding and overcoming challenges.
He was a team captain in 2020 and '21. In 42 career games, including 18 starts, he's totaled 154 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions (including a pick-6), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Last season, he earned IU's Howard Brown "Dedication to IU Football Award. In 2020, he made honorable-mention All-Big Ten. In 2018, he was IU's defensive newcomer of the year.
That was enough to position him for a shot at the NFL.
Instead, he will be a Hoosier one last time.
"I think playing college football, not everybody gets this opportunity, this opportunity to play in the Big Ten at Indiana," he says.
"I trusted Coach Allen. I trusted everything he said to me throughout this whole process since he recruited me. I love his mindset and the way he attacks every day. He helped me become a better athlete and a better man.
"That's part of my reason for staying. Another part is I love this program. I love the guys. I've built so many long-lasting relationships with my teammates. I'd suit up with them any day, no matter the day.
"I'm glad I'm here and able to play and ball out."
That's especially true given the way the defense struggled last season. It ranked last in the Big Ten in points allowed, at 33.3 points. In 2020, it allowed 20.3 points.
"The defensive play last year wasn't good enough," Jones says. "As a leader, I take that heavy. It weighs heavy on me. You have to go back to the drawing board. Figure out what went wrong."
Figuring will include Allen calling the defensive plays and taking a bigger overall role on that side of the ball.
"With Coach Allen being so involved -- he's always been involved, but being more involved," Jones says. "The guys he's put around me will take us to a whole other level."
Jones remains driven for improvement. Given he arrived at IU as an offensive player (he was a high school wrecking crew at Saint Benedict in Memphis, Tenn., totaling 1,534 receiving yards and 1,049 rushing yards his last 2 seasons), never underestimate that drive.
That includes the student side of the game.
"I always thought if I knew every position on the field, it would make my position much easier. That's the case now. I take in as much knowledge as I can so I can understand offensive recognition and concepts. I will continue to work on that."
From the physical side, "My biggest goal is getting off blocks. We play against some of best offensive linemen in the country. To get off blocks at the next level is what it's all about. To perfect that craft for this season and perfect at being an effective pass rusher."
Speaking of pass rushing, that's a major point of emphasis. The goal is to do it without blitzing. Wilt, who coaches the linebackers, Kasey Teegardin, who coaches the BULL position (a hybrid linebacker/defensive lineman) and Paul Randolph, the newly hired defensive line coach, are working to develop that.
"Coach Allen put a great group of (coaches) in front of us who can lead this group with Coach Randolph with the defensive line and Coach Wilt with the linebackers," Jones says. "They bring incredible knowledge with pass rushing.
"Coach Allen has done a great job of surrounding us with athletic guys who can make those big plays.
"The coaches will put me and the rest of the team in great positions to get to the quarterback. That's the goal. We'll take that aspect to a whole other level. I can't wait to see how the guys respond to the great coaching."
Those guys include 10 college transfers, including Ole Miss defensive linemen LeDarrius Cox and Patrick Lucas Jr., California defensive lineman JH Tevis, Kentucky linebacker Jared Casey, UCLA linebacker Myles Jackson and Miami linebacker Bradley Jennings Jr.
"A lot of guys left," Jones says, "and we brought in a lot of guys. At the beginning, it bothered me because I built so many relationships with guys like (tight end) Peyton Henderson and (linebacker) Micah McFadden, and all the guys who transferred.
"Then there were the guys who transferred in, like JH and LeDarrius and Myles and (Lucas) and even the guys on offense. We all connected.
"It's like a puzzle piece. We all fit in together. Those guys challenge me, as well.
"JH texted me that we need to do this instead of that. The same with LeDarrius. We have conversations of what we think will be best. Those guys are taking their roles to another level. I can't wait to see them grow in this program."
You don't need science to understand how much that could help the Hoosiers next season, and beyond.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Football ain't science.
Or is it?
Consider Cam Jones, Indiana's senior linebacker. He's taking advantage of a COVID-created fifth season intent on going out on winning terms.
Ending his college career with last season's disappointment wasn't going to happen.
And that, as it turns out, leads to science, of a sort.
In the off-season, head coach Tom Allen hired Chad Wilt as his new defensive coordinator.
One of the things they do, Jones says, is, "Challenge us on a daily basis."
That's mental as much as physical. Wilt's new ideas include an equation he wrote on the board for all to see:
E + R = O.
Event plus Response equals Outcome.
Granted, it's not as change-the-world notable as, say, E=MC2, which means Energy equals mass times the speed of light squared, which basically means energy and matter are different forms of the same thing, which never made a Knute Rockne speech, but that misses the point.
Winning defense is.
Jones offers clarity.
"We don't have a lot of say about the event (such as a scheduled game)," Jones says, "but our response to the event weighs more than the actual event."
In Wilt's view, the event is worth 10 percent, the response is worth 90 percent, which equals 100 percent for the outcome.
The motivational benefits are already kicking in, Jones says.
"Not only does this defense continue to respond, but the offensive side as well. It's the whole team.
"We're taking it day by day; building it brick by brick. We are responding to the challenges we have to overcome."
The 6-2, 22-pound Jones has built a Hoosier career on responding and overcoming challenges.
He was a team captain in 2020 and '21. In 42 career games, including 18 starts, he's totaled 154 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions (including a pick-6), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Last season, he earned IU's Howard Brown "Dedication to IU Football Award. In 2020, he made honorable-mention All-Big Ten. In 2018, he was IU's defensive newcomer of the year.
That was enough to position him for a shot at the NFL.
Instead, he will be a Hoosier one last time.
"I think playing college football, not everybody gets this opportunity, this opportunity to play in the Big Ten at Indiana," he says.
"I trusted Coach Allen. I trusted everything he said to me throughout this whole process since he recruited me. I love his mindset and the way he attacks every day. He helped me become a better athlete and a better man.
"That's part of my reason for staying. Another part is I love this program. I love the guys. I've built so many long-lasting relationships with my teammates. I'd suit up with them any day, no matter the day.
"I'm glad I'm here and able to play and ball out."
That's especially true given the way the defense struggled last season. It ranked last in the Big Ten in points allowed, at 33.3 points. In 2020, it allowed 20.3 points.
"The defensive play last year wasn't good enough," Jones says. "As a leader, I take that heavy. It weighs heavy on me. You have to go back to the drawing board. Figure out what went wrong."
Figuring will include Allen calling the defensive plays and taking a bigger overall role on that side of the ball.
"With Coach Allen being so involved -- he's always been involved, but being more involved," Jones says. "The guys he's put around me will take us to a whole other level."
Jones remains driven for improvement. Given he arrived at IU as an offensive player (he was a high school wrecking crew at Saint Benedict in Memphis, Tenn., totaling 1,534 receiving yards and 1,049 rushing yards his last 2 seasons), never underestimate that drive.
That includes the student side of the game.
"I always thought if I knew every position on the field, it would make my position much easier. That's the case now. I take in as much knowledge as I can so I can understand offensive recognition and concepts. I will continue to work on that."
From the physical side, "My biggest goal is getting off blocks. We play against some of best offensive linemen in the country. To get off blocks at the next level is what it's all about. To perfect that craft for this season and perfect at being an effective pass rusher."
Speaking of pass rushing, that's a major point of emphasis. The goal is to do it without blitzing. Wilt, who coaches the linebackers, Kasey Teegardin, who coaches the BULL position (a hybrid linebacker/defensive lineman) and Paul Randolph, the newly hired defensive line coach, are working to develop that.
"Coach Allen put a great group of (coaches) in front of us who can lead this group with Coach Randolph with the defensive line and Coach Wilt with the linebackers," Jones says. "They bring incredible knowledge with pass rushing.
"Coach Allen has done a great job of surrounding us with athletic guys who can make those big plays.
"The coaches will put me and the rest of the team in great positions to get to the quarterback. That's the goal. We'll take that aspect to a whole other level. I can't wait to see how the guys respond to the great coaching."
Those guys include 10 college transfers, including Ole Miss defensive linemen LeDarrius Cox and Patrick Lucas Jr., California defensive lineman JH Tevis, Kentucky linebacker Jared Casey, UCLA linebacker Myles Jackson and Miami linebacker Bradley Jennings Jr.
"A lot of guys left," Jones says, "and we brought in a lot of guys. At the beginning, it bothered me because I built so many relationships with guys like (tight end) Peyton Henderson and (linebacker) Micah McFadden, and all the guys who transferred.
"Then there were the guys who transferred in, like JH and LeDarrius and Myles and (Lucas) and even the guys on offense. We all connected.
"It's like a puzzle piece. We all fit in together. Those guys challenge me, as well.
"JH texted me that we need to do this instead of that. The same with LeDarrius. We have conversations of what we think will be best. Those guys are taking their roles to another level. I can't wait to see them grow in this program."
You don't need science to understand how much that could help the Hoosiers next season, and beyond.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 5 (at Iowa)
Wednesday, September 24
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Week 5 (at Iowa) - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Monday, September 22