Jones leads on field, in classroom

In the summer of 2000, the now fifth-year senior Herana-Daze Jones began freshman football camp at IU. His outstanding athletic career in high school would enable him to receive an excellent education all the while playing with the best of the best in Division I football. Hailing from Louisville, Ky., Jones received All-State honors, broke untouchable rushing records and would forever leave his mark on Kentucky high school football. But this was a new team, a new state, a new challenge for Jones. \nDuring that summer of 2000, Jones would realize the difficulty of earning playing time for the Hoosiers. Knowing that few freshmen in D-I football even see the field, he grew agitated. \n"It was frustrating (to go) from being in high school and never coming off the field to coming here and never playing," Jones said.\nJones went from an all-star running back to redshirt freshman in a brief instant, but he knew how to fill the void. \n"I was frustrated not to play, but I didn't let that draw me away from the classroom." Jones said. "I figured good studies often get you on the field." \nHis athletic ability could shadow his intellect. At Iroquois High School, Jones earned a 3.5 GPA and was the recipient of the prestigious Senior Award, which highlighted academic integrity.\nJones attacked the books his first semester at IU and tried to not let common college distractions affect his grades. \n"If you mess up your first semester, which is so easy to do," Jones said, "I knew it would be hard for me to catch up later on." \nSo, with the help of his professors, he has developed specific tactics to enhance his study habits. Majoring in sports marketing and management, Jones strives to be an exceptional student, and his closest friends see this. \n"Every time he has a test, he's always in the books," teammate Pat Thompson said, "but don't get me wrong, off the field he's a laid back guy."\nHis work ethic in the classroom did exactly what he wanted -- it transferred to the field. By the end of Jones' 2003 season, he had already received All-Big Ten recognition, led the team with 232 tackles, forced three fumbles and was ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 9.8 overall tackles per game. \n"I think his best football is ahead of him," assistant coach Curt Mallory said. "Our defense depends on him. He has always done a great job off and on the field.\nJones has transformed into one of the leaders of the team and one of the prime examples for younger athletes to follow. \n"He usually gives a powerful pre-game speech," Thompson said. "A lot of the guys wish he would give a speech every day." \nAs leader of the defense, Jones reminds less confident teammates to remember that "it ain't over until 60 minutes." \n"I try to stay positive and give confidence boosters," Jones said. "I have to be a leader." \nHis coaches see his presence as a crucial necessity for the development of the team. \n"He is the guy that leads by example." Mallory said. "Everything he does, he works for, and he's been a great role model for our team." \nWith ambitions to be in the NFL, Jones still sets aside alternative goals. \n"After college I want to go on to the next level, but if I don't, I'll come back and take the (GRE) and go to grad school." His motto is to never settle for less, and he builds self-motivation by striving for success. Jones will carry the torch to younger IU athletes and will make his final run for national recognition as the Hoosiers face tough competitors in the 2004 NCAA season. \n"He has been the guy to depend on," Mallory said, "and we expect him to be that great defensive player for us to go far."\n-- Contact staff writer Ricardo Hernandez at rihernan@indiana.edu.