Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 40 Days (Reakwon Jones)

By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)

#40

40 days away, that’s it. We’re now 60 percent of the way through the countdown and only 40 days stand between us and Indiana Football opening the season August 31st against Ohio State. In the meantime let’s take a look at linebacker Reakwon Jones.

Reakwon Jones (Redshirt Sophomore)

Height: 6’2’’

Weight: 227 pounds

Hometown: Lynn Haven, Florida

Position: Linebacker

Indiana’s linebacker corps are in an interesting spot. In Tom Allen’s 4-2-5 scheme they don’t need quite as much depth as a 3-4 or 4-3, but the position becomes that much more important. With Marcus Oliver and Clyde Newton all gone, the Hoosiers will need a fresh face to step up and one of those faces could be Reakwon Jones.

Jones saw action in 11 games in 2016, almost strictly on special teams. He’s proved useful in other ways though. Despite only recording two tackles last season, during his redshirt season in 2015, Jones was named Scout Team Player of the Week a whopping six times. The scout team player of the week doesn’t show Heisman potential, but that is a coach’s dream right there. It shows he studies his opponents tendencies hard and takes preparation seriously, even when he knows his number isn’t being called on Saturday’s. 

Originally from A. Crawford Mosley High School in Florida, an area where the Hoosiers have had success recruiting in the past, Jones was a first team Class 5A All-State selection in 2014 as well as the Bay County Defensive Player of the Year. There will be a handful of players jockeying for the time and chance to fill Marcus Oliver’s shoes. Jones is part of a list that includes Thomas Allen, Mike McGinnis and more. Jones has shown potential and an attention to detail and if he has a good Summer, he could get to tap into that potential when the Fall rolls around. 

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