Ex-Iowa wide receivers Charlie Jones, Tyrone Tracy Jr. have opportunity . He says 'Coach, I'm going to give Iowa a shot. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel., 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. They did a great job of preparing me for that position here. . Keep in mind 18 WRs finished with a time under the 4.5-second mark in 2022. named all-area team as kick return specialist . . All rights reserved, MATTHEW PUTNEY/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. . , the Big Ten return specialist of the year in 2021, will be returning to Iowa for one more season. Jones caught 21 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. Was a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a returner. When Man and Machine Become One: The Robotic Rise of Charlie Jones started at wide receiver in 27-22 win over Minnesota . Charlie Jones Emerging as Receiver - Sports Illustrated At the end Ill ask him, Hey, can you do this for me? Hes a great guy to work with and hes really helped me progress as a punt returner. The desire to improve remains a Jones trait, much like Woods has described. When they work out together, Jones will request certain punts to field - left, right, high, low - and Taylor delivers. Jones enters this season as one of the most experienced in Iowa's wide receiver room. 2023 NFL Draft: Bengals Select WR Charlie Jones, Purdue As a result, many are interested to see how he tests at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. So, let's take a look at how the Bengals are faring in the eyes of the experts. IOWA CITY, Iowa - Charlie Jones has bragging rights in the Iowa wide receiver room right now. But before anything,Jones had to show potential and production within the MAC conference. . Iowa finished ranked 121st nationally in total offense last season, averaging just 303.7 yards per game, including 180.1 passing yards per game. But that could be a lot more difficult without Jones and Tracy helping at receiver. . The draftnicks say he has sticky hands and a skill set built for the slot. . . . Purdue had also brought in receiver transfers Tyrone Tracy (also from Iowa) and Elijah Canion (from Auburn) as well. But I knew a way to get my foot in the door was special teams. Tracy, who grew up near Indianapolis, saw his role in the Iowa offense reduced substantially after he was passed on the depth chart midway through last season by then true freshman Keagan Johnson. (71%*), 124 (C) He may now be viewed a potential deep threat, Is an effective and consistent kick and punt returner - make him much more useful to an NFL team, Very undersized prospect - who'll likely be viewed as a slot-only player, Has decent short area quickness although it's not elite and this limits his ability to shake off quality man corners, Despite playing four years at multiple schools has had only a single year where he was dominant - limited experience. averaged 25.3 yards on kick returns . Austin Hanson, Pregame Editor May 25, 2022. I came here as a walk-on. . His 37 targets ranked fourth and his 21 catches and 323 receiving yards were third among Iowa receivers. Iowa Hawkeyes' Charlie Jones catches the line-drive punt and weaves his . Really surprised at the combine with 4.43 forty - scouts will now take a second look. saw action in 49-7 win over Michigan State as offense rushed for 226 yards and gained 405 yards total offense . . Jones lacks the twitch to create consistent separation, and despite his size and ability to track the ball downfield, he isnt always great on contested catches. He finished the season third in the Big Ten and 20th in the nation with an average of 44.1 yards per kick. Jones has impressed the Iowa coaches enough to earn a scholarship. He was a playmaker for Iowa in 2020 but in a different capacity: a punt returner on special teams. 5-11 . three punt returns for 27 yards at Illinois, with a long of 18 yards . [4] Jones said he "liked it at Buffalo" where he "got to learn a lot as a young player" but, after star players Tyree Jackson, Anthony Johnson and K. J. Osborn either declared for the NFL draft or transferred, Jones also entered the transfer portal. [9] As a redshirt senior, Jones was named first team All-Big Ten and the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year after he returned 37 punts for 285 yards and also returned 25 kickoffs for 635 yards and one touchdown. Matt Fortuna, national college football reporter: This is a huge get for Purdue, which lost top receiver David Bell to the draft and looks like it might be without Milton Wright, who is reportedly academically ineligible and was in line to be the Boilermakers top target. It might have been a surprise to everyone else, because no one knew who he was, Woods said. He's the first skill player the Bengals have drafted since running back Chris Evans in the 2021 sixth round. All rights reserved. . saw action in 33-23 win over Illinois . Jones' attitude got him on the field and his play caught his coaches' eyes like he hoped. . . Plus, Jones joins former Iowa receiver Tyrone Tracy Jr., who transferred to Purdue in December. started at wide receiver in 17-12 win at Northwestern as offense gained 185 net rushing yards . . The past couple years theyve shown that being a receiver in this type of offense means a lot of opportunities.. We will update this space as soon as Charlie Jones' 3-cone time at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is revealed. . NFL Draft profile scouting report for Purdue WR Charlie Jones. . "But he said 'OK, this is the best path I'm going to take, and he took that path. Purdue, on the other hand, averaged nearly 350 passing yards per game last season as OConnell threw for 3,712 yards and 28 touchdowns. From high school stardom in Illinois, to getting a Division I shot in upstate New York to now as a starting receiver in the Big Ten, that work ethic has showed at every stop. Last year, Jones compiled 469 offensive snaps, the most of any Iowa receiver. . A hard decision for me and my family. It definitely was a tough decision, Jones said. You know, theres still time to figure that out. Former Iowa wide receiver and kick returner Charlie Jones, who was the Big Ten's return specialist of the year in 2021, will enroll at Purdue as a graduate transfer, a source confirmed to The Athletic's Matt Fortuna. With Charlie Jones Gone, Can Iowa Find an Answer at Return Man? He can catch a lot of tough balls, Spencer Petras said of Wick at media day. four punt returns for 33 yards at Maryland with a long of 15 and two kickoff returns for 53 yards with a long of 38 yards . fourth-team All-Big Ten punt return specialists by Phil Steele . 15 kickoff returns for 289 yards, with a long of 43 yards. . Im going to be able to fit the skill sets that I have in the system here.. Charlie Jones officially measured 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds at the combine. All rights reserved. Fans are eagerly waiting to see Myles Murphy, DJ Turner II, Jordan Battle and the rest of the Bengals' picks suit up for the upcoming season. Iowa ranked 109th in yards per game (180.1), 114th in yards per pass (6.2) and 113th in completion percentage (55.0). Rivals' Tom Dienhart was the first to report the news. tied school record with 100-yard kickoff return touchdown vs. Illinois, totaling 144 yards on three returns . . Charlie Jones (American football, born 1998) - Wikipedia Terms Of Service, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair, ISAAC - Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, UI Football Autograph Policy and Procedures. . However, he found an opportunity to contribute in another way. I'm going to walk on, I've done my homework and this is where I want to go. Through previous relationships with assistant coaches Kelton Copeland and since-departed Tim Polasek, Jones joined Iowas team via the transfer portal. He felt he could "play against the best of the best" and expected to receive scholarship offers from more prestigious programs but received none. But when he was at Iowa in 2021 he was the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Year. She is a senior at the University of Iowa studying journalism and sports studies UI students with on-campus jobs found to excel more than those with off-campus or no jobs at all, Greenhouse gas emissions decrease in Johnson County, Residents struggle with rent increases and maintenance in Havenpark Communities mobile home parks, New $67,000 contract between ICPD and the UI Public Policy Center to analyze racial profiling in traffic stops, Iowa City Councilor Andrew Dunn announces re-election plans, Undrafted free agent tracker | Where former Iowa football players ended up, NFL Draft roundup | Tracking where former Hawkeyes landed, From Iowa football to the Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta stay teammates in NFL, Former Iowa football player Riley Moss selected in by Denver Broncos in third round of 2023 NFL Draft, Former Iowa football tight end Sam LaPorta picked by Detroit Lions in second round of 2023 NFL Draft, Iowa footballs Jack Campbell picked by Detroit Lions in first round of NFL Draft, Former Hawkeye Lukas Van Ness picked by Green Bay Packers in first round of NFL Draft, NFL Draft guide | When and where Iowas prospects are projected to go, Opinion | Spring game shouldnt shape fans expectations for Iowa football, Iowa football defensive lineman Aaron Graves making strides throughout spring practice, 2023 Student Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. . And its crazy to kind of be out on senior night. Jones finished the season with 18 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns. But in Year 5 of his college career, he's embracing yet another new challenge. It was a big risk leaving Buffalo, leaving a scholarship, and coming here and walking on, Jones said. . scored 14 career touchdowns as a prep. Charlie Neibergall/Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. . And Jones will get a chance to reunite with star QB Aidan OConnell, a fellow suburban Chicago native whom he had played with on the area youth circuit while growing up. three receptions for 31 yards at Nebraska, along with one kickoff return for 25 yards . [8] He was also awarded a scholarship during the season. . Charlie Jones officially measured 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds at the combine. Iowa will kick off against Illinois at 1 p.m. He is expected to be a Day 3 pick. . The 2023 NFL Draft has finished and the Cincinnati Bengals have made their picks. First and foremost, Charlie is an incredible, insane worker, said LeVar Woods, Iowas special teams coordinator. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus), Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones runs up field during an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa wide receiver and return man Charlie Jones is reportedly transferring within the Big Ten to the Purdue Boilermakers. . Despite having good timed speed Jones probably won't be viewed as the kind of player to threaten to take the top of the defense. started at wide receiver in 23-20 win over #4 Penn State as Hawkeyes rallied from a 17-3 deficit . 3:04. Thats called a coachs dream. But the lifelong Hawkeye fan hasnt finalized his plans yet for the 2022 season. Charlie Jones (born October 29, 1998) is an American football wide receiver for Purdue University. The wide receiver position isscheduled to have its workoutson Saturday, March 4. Petras first found Jones on a 10-yard completion that put Iowa on the Cyclones' 26-yard line with just over a minute left in the first half. Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones has entered the transfer portal, per multiple reports. Entering the 2020 season Jones was eligible to play but the four aforementioned receivers returned as well. . . . . Im still learning every day. [12] After the season, Jones entered the NCAA transfer portal.[13]. IOWA CITY, Iowa - Its one thing to work hard. At that time, they were a run-focused triple-option team that limited Jones' opportunities to showcase his skill at receiver. . two receptions for 41 yards vs. Michigan, with a long of 28 yards, along with one rushing attempt for six yards . led the Big Ten and ranked 11th nationally with 10.5 average on punt returns in 2020 . With a punt return touchdown in 2020, a kickoff return touchdown last season, and three receiving touchdowns in . . But a few things worked against him during the recruiting process: Injuries during his senior year and the offensive philosophy at Deerfield. . joined program as a walk-on in 2019 after attending University of Buffalo and sat out 2019 season as a transfer. Now the challengeis to translate his playmaking ability at punt returner to receiver and help the receiving core replace the production it lost from last season. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine . . Not only do the Hawkeyes lose a valuable weapon, they lose him to a divisional rival that has beaten Iowa four of the last five years. Jones, a sixth-year senior receiver and return specialist, also has a connection with Purdue quarterback Aidan OConnell as they grew up near each other in the Chicago suburbs and played youth football together. Jones started his collegiate football career in 2017 at the University of Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference. When it didn't shake out his way during his senior year (of high school), he could've moped and complained. I had a plan. . He announced that he was returning to Iowa on Jan. 12 because of unfinished business.. The Hawkeyes won the game 49-7 and Jones was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. Although Jones and Moss have used their four years of eligibility, the NCAA gave all 2020-21 student-athletes another season of eligibility because of COVID-19 giving them the option to return to Hawkeye football in 2022. Charlie Jones WR Purdue | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report . . Once a low-ranked high school prospect, he joined the Hawkeyes as a walk-on in 2019 and earned a scholarship in December 2020. But I knew this is what I wanted to do. MORE: Iowa football vs. Iowa State report card: It was a great day for the Hawkeyes Petras and Jones connected twice again in the second quarter of Saturday's nationally televised matchup against Iowa State. Career Earned team MVP honors as a senior . led the Big Ten and ranked fourth nationally with one punt return touchdown in 2020 . three receptions for 13 yards against PSU, along with 14 yards on two rushing attempts . (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus), Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones makes a catch against Syracuse during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. He said hell pursue that opportunity by coming out here and trying to focus on one thing a day. All rights reserved. Here's everything you need to know about Jones' NFL combine performance, measurements and results. He had the burning desire to prove himself at a higher level, and Iowa gave him that opportunity. . . saw action in 28-21 win at Nebraska as offense gained 186 net rushing yards . In 2020, Jones became Iowa . Latest on Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Charlie Jones including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN It starts with attitude: you have to want to be out there and if you have the requisite ability, and Charlie does, then it's all positive for us.". two kickoff returns for 30 yards and one punt return for 30 yards vs. Kentucky. Jones has not formally announced his intent to transfer, nor has he declared where he will play in 2022. CHARLIE JONES TO ENTER TRANSFER PORTAL - Black Heart Gold Pants (she/her/hers) Im here to do that, too, and to compete and its kind of been working out.. Iowa's Charlie Jones (16) runs away from Illinois' Isaac Darkangelo (38) during a 100-yard kickoff return on Nov. 20, 2021 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Longtime time state of Iowa sports journalist and author formerly of the Des Moines Register. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. [3] As a redshirt freshman, Jones caught 18 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns and returned 15 kickoffs for 289 yards. He was expected to play a key role for Iowa as a receiver and return specialist. Iowa's Charlie Jones catches the line-drive punt and weaves his way into the end zone. . Charlie Jones returning to Iowa in 2022 - Go Iowa Awesome . When it comes to football, he's always been goal-oriented," Winiecki said. Charlie Jones from Deerfield High School was rated a After high school, Jones opted to join Buffalo. Since transferring from Buffalo, Charlie Jones has become a fixture among Iowa's wide receivers. He'll aim to improve his draft stock at the scouting combine. Currently, he is line to secure one of their key receiver spots. "It moves around, it's this robot,'' Jones says. "He had a great opportunity at Buffalo but I think it gave him a hunger for more," Winiecki said. He played several positions including cornerback, wide receiver and kick/punt returner. Darrin Simmons, the Bengals special teams coordinator from Brad St. Louis to Brad Robbins, may have had his most bountiful weekend in 21 drafts at Paycor Stadium and that meant they accomplished what they set out to do. Ahead of the combine, Charlie Jones is listed at an even 6-foot and 188 pounds. The 6-foot, 188-pound sixth-year senior was named Big Ten Conference Returner of the Year at the end of the 2021 season. . . Jones is one of three Hawkeyes all-time to score both punt and kick return touchdowns. Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year . To be here on this team is pretty wild.. Obviously you're going to have days you're not doing as well as others but he takes that to heart and comes back even harder. All rights reserved. At that time, they were 0-2 and that rout was the first of a six-game winning streak to end the season. Member of the Kinnick Stadium Media Wall of Fame. High school honors Earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior . . Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones puts his hands up to catch a pass during a football game between Iowa and Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. . Leistikow: 10 thoughts, predictions heading into Iowa's 2021 football season, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. . two receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown vs. Minnesota, including a 72-yard touchdown in the third quarter . He announced that he was returning to Iowa on . . Jones amassed 506 punt and 635 kick return yards during his two-year career in the Black and Gold. Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones has entered the transfer portal, per multiple reports. Bengals Take Chase Brown in Fifth Round of 2023 NFL Draft Jones was the Big Ten Conference Returner of the Year in 2022. I grew up in Iowa, and you guys know, I always went to Iowa games as a kid, Moss said. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney), Iowa's Charlie Jones catches a touchdown pass as Iowa State's Datrone Young tries to defend in the second half during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. Iowas program is known for their walk-on-to-scholarship player pipeline. .13 yards on three punts returns at Northwestern and two kickoff returns for 19 yards . (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall), Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones (16) returns a punt during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. second-team All-Big Ten return specialist by league coaches . But that year, he learned a valuable lesson. Confidence in this sport is everything, Jones said. saw action in 28-7 win over #25 Wisconsin . . . 829 following. 17 Iowa and Illinois at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. But in Year 5 of his college career, he's embracing yet another new challenge. . Inside Charlie Jones' journey to a starting wide receiver role at Iowa saw action in 42-3 loss to #2 Michigan . In December 2020, Jones earned honorable mention All-America honors as a return specialist from Phil Steele, and a scholarship from Iowa. After two seasons at Buffalo and three at Iowa, the 5-11, 186-pound Jones had a break-out year for the Boilermakers when he led the country with 110 catches while clocking a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. saw action in 35-21 win at Illinois at offense gained 424 yards total offense . . These excerpts are from a HawkCentral column: . He is a senior at the University of Iowa studying journalism and mass communication UI students with on-campus jobs found to excel more than those with off-campus or no jobs at all, Greenhouse gas emissions decrease in Johnson County, Residents struggle with rent increases and maintenance in Havenpark Communities mobile home parks, New $67,000 contract between ICPD and the UI Public Policy Center to analyze racial profiling in traffic stops, Iowa City Councilor Andrew Dunn announces re-election plans, Undrafted free agent tracker | Where former Iowa football players ended up, NFL Draft roundup | Tracking where former Hawkeyes landed, From Iowa football to the Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta stay teammates in NFL, Former Iowa football player Riley Moss selected in by Denver Broncos in third round of 2023 NFL Draft, Former Iowa football tight end Sam LaPorta picked by Detroit Lions in second round of 2023 NFL Draft, Iowa footballs Jack Campbell picked by Detroit Lions in first round of NFL Draft, Former Hawkeye Lukas Van Ness picked by Green Bay Packers in first round of NFL Draft, NFL Draft guide | When and where Iowas prospects are projected to go, Opinion | Spring game shouldnt shape fans expectations for Iowa football, Iowa football defensive lineman Aaron Graves making strides throughout spring practice, 2023 Student Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Jones leads the conference and ranks second in the NCAA in total kick return yards (605). Sep 16, 2021 2:36 PM EDT. Riley Moss, Charlie Jones Earn B1G Individual Honors; 11 Hawkeyes Named Athlete. recorded 18 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns, with a long of 53 yards . He redshirted his true freshman season. . "[5], Jones joined the Iowa Hawkeyes as a walk-on and sat out his first season at Iowa due to NCAA transfer rules. Leistikow: A window into the Xs, Zs and Fs of Iowa football's wide-receiver position. [1] "Not just in the weight room but on the field, every weekend on the JUGS machine.". Charlie Jones is a massive reason why. two receptions for 20 yards vs. Purdue, along with 37 yards on two punt returns and 56 yards on two kickoff returns . . second-team All-Big Ten by Associated Press . Iowa football's Charlie Jones proving he's a multi-use weapon early Charlie Jones walked-on to the Iowa program before the 2019 season after playing his redshirt freshman season at Buffalo in 2018. Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones runs from Minnesota defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) during a 72-yard touchdown reception in the second half of a Big 10 regular season game in Iowa City last season. 2020 Honors Honorable mention All-America return specialist by Phil Steele . . Iowa wide receiver and return specialist Charlie Jones has entered the transfer portal, @on3sports has learned. As the team worked hard in the 2023 NFL Draft to build a championship-worthy team, media outlets around the country are offering their expert analysis and grading of the Bengals' draft picks. . However, his Big Ten football dream never wavered. . Charlie JonesHeight: 5'11"Weight: 175 poundsArm Length: 31 5/8"Hand Size: 9"#RatedRookie | #NFLDraft. started at wide receiver in 24-14 win over Colorado State . Early life and high school [ edit] Jones grew up in Deerfield, Illinois and attended Deerfield High School. Iowa receiver/return man Turned Walk-On Opportunity into Scholarship. Purdues offense is definitely different from Iowas, making it more receiver-friendly. . Hard Work Key to Charlie Jones' Success - Sports Illustrated Iowa Charlie Jones, Riley Moss open to 2022 return to Iowa football . [1] He committed to play college football at Buffalo over offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, and Wyoming. Head coach Kirk Ferentz said he made rounds to seniors with eligibility remaining in the Hawkeyes bye week in October, to see if any of them wanted to return in 2022. . It's not gone unnoticed his teammates expect a breakthrough season as well. . But just in case, you know, Im going to make sure that I get the full experience this weekend.. . OConnell passed for 375 yards and two touchdowns and zero interceptions during Purdues 24-7 victory over Iowa last season at Kinnick Stadium, while Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras threw four interceptions and finished with 195 passing yards in that game. . And he bet on himself. . WR Charlie Jones (NOT on Scholarship) is very Fast & Athletic He returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter of the 49-7 victory. According to his 247sports profile, he only had one offer: Buffalo, where he singed in February 2017. "Every day, he comes in and takes another step forward. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth). "Charlie has done a phenomenal job," Tracy said. (he/him/his) Charlie Jones and Ivory Kelly-Martin share a moment together after Saturday's loss to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl Iowa finished ranked 121 st nationally in total offense last season, averaging just 303.7 yards per game, including 180.1 passing yards per game. Thats the trick moving forward.. career-best three receptions for 44 yards at Maryland . Everybody is coming out here for every practice and giving their all, full effort. . Try a week on us. . Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones hurdles over Illinois defensive back Christian Bobak during a football game between No. . "Charlie's always been a gym rat,"SteveWiniecki, Jones' head coach at Deerfield High School in Illinois said. Hawk Item Will take advantage of extra year and return for 2022 . But it never came. . Its gonna be very special to run out there and be able to hug my parents and itll be cool.. Charlie and Tory are always out here, Woods said. . And, you know, there are a lot of days where it wasnt going my way. Im excited to finally get those opportunities as a receiver, and help the team as much as I can, Jones said. . Players Will be Tested 4 HRS Before Kickoff Franisdaman Oct 8, 2020 1 2 Next Franisdaman HR King Nov 3, 2012 65,859 79,560 113 Heaven, Iowa Oct 8, 2020 #1 And ISM wants to return punts!!