2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff- 98 Days (Cooper Jones)

Written by Matt Smith

Welcome to the 2022 edition of the Hoosier Huddle Countdown! We are now officially underway as we countdown from 100 to the beginning of the 2022 Indiana University football season. Each day, we will take a look at one (or two) players on the current roster and highlight the players' role in the upcoming season. Number 98 on the list is redshirt freshman Cooper Jones.

Name: Cooper Jones

Hometown: Valparaiso, IN

Position: DL

Year: Redshirt Freshman

Height/Weight: 6’6’’/ 275 lbs

Twitter: @cooperjones1150 Instagram: @coopjones1150

Cooper Jones spent most of his freshman year last year adjusting to college play after coming into Tom Allen’s program as a top recruit out of the state of Indiana. 

Last season Jones won scout team player of the week during the Penn State and Michigan weeks. 

In high school Jones was an Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 all-state selection during his junior and senior year. In 2019 and 2020 he was an IFCA Mr.football position selection. Throughout his high school career Jones had 190 tackles as well as 17.5 sacks. Athletes run in the family for Jones as well. His dad played tackle for Notre Dame and his mom played softball for the Hoosiers as well. 

Jones’s father was a big proponent of his son playing multiple sports and the benefits that came with it.

“My dad and I used to say basketball would improve your agility," Jones says. "Instead of having the offseason of just lifting weights and running, you are able to compete. That's good."

Jones will look to earn some playing time this season as the defensive line looks to improve from an average year last year.