Countdown to Kickoff: 27 Days (Arthur Jones)

Written By Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)

#27

There are now 27 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Today we look the current number 27 Arthur Jones. 

Arthur Jones (Redshirt Junior)

-Height: 5’10”
-Weight: 191 pounds
-Hometown: Washington D.C.
-Position: Defensive Back

While the Hoosiers don’t technically have any seniors in the defensive backfield this fall, Arthur Jones is one of many fourth year juniors looking to push for playing time while providing some leadership and guidance to many of the younger players in the secondary.
 
So far Jones has seen limited playing time, appearing in six games last season on special teams. Prior to that his contributions came on the scout team, helping the Hoosiers prepare for upcoming opponents. As a true freshman he earned scout player of the week once, and as a redshirt freshman he earned the distinction three times.
 
In the frenzy that is college football, fans occasionally forget that these guys are also students, an area Jones has certainly excelled in while at Indiana, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in both 2014 and 2015.
 
Prior to coming to Bloomington Jones starred on the gridiron at St. Albans School in Washington D.C., where he played both linebacker and running back. He earned all-conference honors as senior, carrying the ball for 777 yards and nine touchdowns.
 
His speed did not go to waste during the spring semester, as he was a standout on the school’s track team. His personal records as a senior were as follows; 100 meters 11.74, 200 meters 23.74, and 400 meters 51.64. He also posted a 20-foot long jump and was a part of some very successful 100 and 400-meter relay teams.
 
He also played on the school’s varsity basketball team for two seasons, not too shabby you say? His classmates agreed. Jones received the school’s Robert Rice Award, which goes to the best all-around athlete as voted on by the student body. One very notable former recipient of the award was Baltimore Ravens great, Jonathan Ogden, who won the award in 1992.
 
With so many talented athletes returning in the secondary this fall, Jones has his work cutout for him to see playing time at either safety or cornerback; but there’s little doubt that he will continue to bring it in practice and on special teams when given the chance.

Share any memories or recollections you have of Arthur Jones as a player in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!