‘Walk the Walk’ – Isaiah Jones Ready to Set Linebacker Tone
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Instant college football success never found Isaiah Jones. The redshirt senior is likely better for it. Working his way to starting linebacker status on what projects as another powerhouse Indiana defense showcases what effort, passion and perseverance can do.
“I had to make sure every moment counted,” the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Jones says. “Even when I wasn’t on the field, I would try to take as many mental reps as I could. That’s what I preach the most to the young guys. You might not get all the (on-field) opportunities, but you can take every mental rep you can. That’s something I took pride in.
“Maybe I wouldn’t be out there with the (starters) because it’s a process. You have to know what you want. If that’s what you want, then there’s nothing that can stop you.”
For Jones, nothing has. In the past two seasons and 29 total games, he has 120 tackles, 19 for loss, with 7.5 sacks. He’s also intercepted a pass, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble.
Jones, once a three-star prospect out of Ohio, proves that five-star recruiting acclaim isn’t necessary to deliver five-star performance if you care and are coachable, if you play your role with focus and awareness.
“Isaiah Jones loves football,” coach Curt Cignetti says. “He’s instinctive. He’s smart. He’s a good leader, a good player, and he knows the defense inside and out. His opportunities and responsibilities are earned, not given.”
In IU’s national title game win over Miami last January, Jones recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a crucial touchdown. As Cignetti said at the time, “it’s very fitting that Isaiah Jones would be on the recovery.”
Not bad for a guy who played just four total games in his first two college seasons under the previous coaching staff.
“He’s a great guy,” fellow veteran linebacker Rolijah Hardy says. “He’s very smart. He knows exactly what’s coming before it happens.”
That’s what you’d expect from a guy whose nickname is “Bones” as in Bones Jones. Defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Bryant Haines started calling him that in reference to Ultimate Fight Championship superstar Jon “Bones” Jones, considered one of the best mixed martial artist champions of all time. What began as an inside joke in the linebackers room became the norm after defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz began using it in the weight room. Jones went along with it because “it has a nice ring to it.”
So does this thought -- Bones makes plays.
“He played well last year,” Hardy says. “It’s been fun watching him learn and grow and take on that (leadership) role. The chemistry between us is really good.”
It needs to be now that the Hoosiers are without standout linebacker Aiden Fisher, one of the best leaders in program history now trying to make it as a rookie with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Also seeking NFL rookie success are cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and defensive lineman Mikail Kamara.
Jones and Hardy must take charge as never before.
“Leadership is not just about your words;” Jones says, “it is about your actions. Those guys led by what they did. They led by example. You can go out there and say let's have a tough, physical practice and everyone is working hard, but to actually go out there and do it, that is what those guys did. That is what I learned: you can't just be all talk; you have to walk the walk.”
Does that put extra pressure on Jones and Hardy?
“Not at all,” Jones says. “You go back to your basics and fundamentals. We have a process, and that goes from the linebackers to everyone on the defense and our team.
“We follow the process. That puts no pressure on us. We know all of Coach Cig’s game planning and the plan he has for us throughout the year. It’s one step after another. Follow that and it takes the confusion out and lets you play fast.”
The key is setting a strong tone every day at the start of every practice.
“It’s an honor to be out there,” Jones says. “You want to get your guys fired up. It’s about leading by example. You can do all the hoorahs and yells, but if you don’t go out there and practice balls to the wall every play, it’s hard to follow a guy who is all talk and doesn’t show itself.”
IU has dominated defensively the last two years, and that’s expected to continue this season as the Hoosiers blend in returning veterans with newcomers.
“I think everyone on the team takes personal pride in that.” Jones says. “As a defense, we pride ourselves on stopping the run and when you can do that, you open up a lot of things. Like, you start to blitz.
“Personally, I take a lot of pride in it. In the linebackers’ room, we take a lot of pride in stopping the run. It starts with the basics, first in spring ball, then in fall camp, so hopefully by the season we have it down and are ready to roll.”
Specifically, Jones adds, “It’s molding the new guys coming in. Learning the defense is the biggest part. Once you learn the defense, you can play fast. That’s the biggest jump from spring ball to fall camp.”
Jones says that jump won’t become apparent until August. The season begins Sept. 5 against North Texas.
“Even with last year’s defense, last spring we were trying to make those strides. This year, guys are learning to play fast. Having a lot of guys returning on the D-line, linebacker and safety helps a lot. We have a lot of depth we didn’t have last year.”
In so many ways, this is a linebacker-led defense, and while Jones and Hardy will set the tone, everyone is required to take charge when necessary. That means ensuring young linebackers can handle bigger roles.
“As linebackers, we put a lot on ourselves to run the show,” Jones says. “It can be difficult for young guys to come into, but I think all the young guys have stepped up and gotten into the playbook.
“Henry (Ohlinger) was making strides in the beginning (of spring practice) and making good progress (before getting injured). Kaden (McConnell) and PJ (Nelson) are taking more steps. Ja’Dyn (Williams) and Jacob (Savage) are also taking steps. We’re trying to lead those young guys.”
So far, Jones says, so good.
“Preston Zachman has really stepped up with leadership and being able to communicate. He and Amare Ferrell will be a great combination at safety.
“The stud D-linemen we got with Chiddi (Obiazor) and Tobi (Osunsanmi) and (Josh) Burnham have really dived into the playbook, as has (junior defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe). We’re deep there.
“We put a lot on everyone’s plate by being able to play multiple positions. They are stepping up and making impacts.”