Iowa transfer Charlie Jones can help boost Purdue's return game
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WEST LAFAYETTE – Will a late transfer addition solve Purdue’s return game issues?
Charlie Jones - the Big Ten’s Returner of the Year at Iowa last season - is joining coach Jeff Brohm’s program, the Journal & Courier has learned. Jones was on campus and inside the Kozuch Football Performance Complex on Thursday.
Jones could boost the struggling return game, which hasn’t gotten off the ground during Brohm’s first five seasons.
Jones entered the transfer portal on May 25 after announcing in January he was returning to the Hawkeyes. Jones’ receiving skills would also help replace Milton Wright, who is academically ineligible for the 2022 season, and give quarterback Aidan O’Connell another target in the passing game.
He's the second transfer from Iowa to join Brohm's program this offseason along with receiver Tyrone Tracy.
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Jones was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020 and became the third player in Iowa history with both a kickoff and punt return touchdown. He’s a former walk-on who started his career at Buffalo and transferred to the Hawkeyes. Jones sat out the 2019 season.
Jones averaged 10.5 yards on punt returns to rank 11th nationally in 2020.
His 285 punt return yards last season are more than Purdue’s combined total in the last three years. Under Brohm, the Boilermakers have opted for field position and ball security in the return game, a strategy that has paid off more times than not.
Jones caught 21 passes last season for 323 yards but ranked second in yards per catch (15.4) and first in receiving touchdowns with three.
Jones is the 10th known transfer to join the program since the end of last season. By comparison, Nebraska has added 15 transfers.
Seven transfers - cornerback Reese Taylor (Indiana), Tracy (Iowa), receiver Elijah Cannon (Auburn), cornerback Tee Denson (Kansas State), cornerback Bryce Hampton (Adams College), defensive end Scott Humpich (Murray State) and offensive lineman Sione Finau (Florida International) - enrolled in second-semester classes.
Defensive lineman Cole Brevard (Penn State) and offensive lineman Daniel Johnson (Kent State) announced their decisions to attend Purdue after spring practice. Brevard and Johnson have already arrived on campus and are eligible to participate in voluntary activities.
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football: Iowa transfer Charlie Jones can help boost return game
