One of the biggest storylines this week for Iowa (4-4, 2-3 Big Ten) at Purdue (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) is the Hawkeyes getting a firsthand look at one of their old playmakers, wide receiver Charlie Jones.
Jones, originally a transfer to Iowa from Buffalo, caught 21 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns last season with the Hawkeyes. He was named the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year in 2021 after returning a kick 100 yards for a touchdown against Illinois and averaging 25.4 yards per kickoff and 7.7 yards per punt return.
The 6-foot, 188 pound receiver stunned Hawkeye fans when he transferred to Purdue following spring practices. With Aidan O’Connell as the Boilermakers’ starting quarterback and trigger man, Jones has enjoyed his best collegiate season. Coming into the contest versus Iowa, he has 72 receptions for 840 yards and nine touchdowns.
Naturally, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked about Charlie Jones’ impact at Purdue and his thoughts on his departure from Iowa during his weekly meeting with the media. Here was everything Ferentz said about Charlie Jones this week.