Linebacker Cam Jones “Selflessness” and “Love” Defines this Hoosier Football Program

Written by: @zachegreene

Cam Jones rolled the dice on a vision sold by Indiana coach Tom Allen instead of heading to local SEC school Tennessee when he committed to the Hoosiers over the Volunteers in the fall of 2017. Allen’s vision of ‘LEO’ is embodied by Jones, whose selflessness has led him to be a major cog in IU’s defense.

Jones, who played both sides of the ball at high alma mater, St. Benedict, at Auburndale High School, was initially recruited to play wide out for the Hoosiers, but quickly transitioned to play the husky position freshman year.

“I was mostly a wide receiver, quarterback, and ‘wildcat’ player coming out of high school. A lot of universities recruited me to play wideout. Growing up, I played offensive line. I got an older brother who played in the NFL, and he played the University of Tennessee. He was my coach growing up.”  Jones said.

His brother LaRon Harris played way back in the day. He was a highly sought-after recruit and played for his hometown team the Volunteers. Jones easily could have decided to pack his things and drive to Knoxville, but bet on himself. It’s safe to say that his decision paid off.

From the get-go, Jones was contributing. During his freshman year at the Husky position, Jones shared the team lead in forced fumbles with two. He tallied 20 tackles, a fumble recovery, and one interception. All this led him to receive IU’s Defensive Newcomer of the year Award.

The following season he contributed, even more, transitioning to play the stringer position. He made 35 tackles, two sacks, and a 44-yard pick-six. He earned IU defensive player of the week honors against Connecticut. That year in the 2020 Gator Bowl, Jones went up against his hometown team, the Volunteers; with his family in attendance, he had this to say way back in 2019.

“It means a lot to play Tennessee. My family, they was die heart Tennessee fans. My brother played at Tennessee. When they found out  the news that we were playing they wore all Indiana gear. It means a lot especially playing against guys I was playing against while I was real young.”

Although the game did not turn out the way Jones wanted it to, it did not stop him from putting in even more work, and in the spring of 2020, Jones again transitioned to another position. This time is moving over to the linebacker.

His selflessness and commitment to doing whatever it takes to win made him one of the captains for the 2020 season. His teammates selected him before the upset last year against Penn State; he said this about being captain.

“It’s an amazing feeling to know my teammates look up to me. I just have to step my game up. Step my leadership up. Help the young guys. Just get this defense where it needs to be.”

His transition over to linebacker could not have been better. During the 2020 season, he tallied another 35 tackles. The game against Penn State was arguably his best game forcing seven stops and one for a loss in the Hoosiers upset victory. He led this 2020 Hoosiers defense to one of the best in the nation.

While Jones had to see his season end on a low note for the second year in a row, he continued to GRIND.

So far on the season, Jones has made 20 tackles and one forced fumble. Guys on the team know what Jones has brought to the table and what he continues to do on and off the field, and head coach Tom Allen can not speak better about the young man during today’s press conference

“In the beginning, we knew he was a really good athlete. We just were real sure where he was gonna end up. At first he was committed to us as a receiver. He played wildcat Quarterback/Running Back, and Defensive End. He did not play linebacker, though, which is CRAZY. He was just always around the ball and a great athlete. You saw the potential. He’s a great kid. We ended up being everything we hoped he would be in regards to his character in leadership.

Going into this weekend’s nationally televised game against Penn State Jones will look to continue his leadership and pull off an upset victory against the Nitany Lions for the second year in a row.

You can rest assured that no matter the score, no matter the position he is going to give it his all.