PWO WR Luke Jones could follow brother Charlie Jones to Purdue
Charlie Jones transferred to Purdue from Iowa prior to the 2022 season looking for an opportunity to shine. And, Jones did just that. Now, younger brother Luke Jones is seeking a chance, too.
Luke Jones visited Purdue on Tuesday looking for a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Boilermakers, who offered him as a PWO last October, too, under the former staff.
“It was better than I thought it was gonna be,” said Jones of the visit. “I had a great time. Coaching staff was amazing. It was good to finally meet them. (Receivers) Coach (Cory) Patterson has got a ton of energy, which I love. The visit definitely was awesome. I liked it there.”
Jones spent 2022 playing at East Coast Prep in Great Barrington, Mass., a one semester post-graduate program.
The lithe 6-0, 170-pound Jones played high school football at Deerfield (Ill.) High in suburban Chicago. Jones drew a few FCS offers coming out of Deerfield High. How does he describe his skill-set?
“I have that mindset of when the ball is up in the air, it is mine,” said Jones, who fesses he wants to become a smarter player who can read defenses. “I think when you give me the ball, I can always take it to the house. I’m a guy that can take a five-yard hitch all the way. I think I’m an electric player.”
Associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Anthony Baskerville played a big role in developing Jones at East Coast Prep.
“He’s very versatile,” said Baskerville. “And he’s smart. We started him inside at slot receiver. The kid knew the offense inside and out, and that allowed him to stay on the field. And then in special teams, he was very dynamic in the punt return game.”
How does Luke Jones compare to Charlie Jones, who projects as a mid-to-late-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft after leading the Big Ten in catches (110) and receiving yards (1,361) while making 12 TD catches last season? Jones also was Big Ten Return Man of the Year in 2021 at Iowa, where he walked on in 2020 after beginning his career at Buffalo in 2018.
“His brother looks a little thicker,” said Baskerville. “I think once he fills out, I think then it’s gonna be a comparison. But I think he got very strong hands. The whole season, he probably dropped one ball. He’s a good route-runner. He has the speed to take the top off the coverage.”
When could Jones pick a school?
“To be honest, I don’t know,” he said. “I am waiting on another school. I would say probably (March) 31st, maybe earlier than that.”
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