Logan Jones Following Familiar Path

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Logan Jones knew who to name as he transitioned to heart after enjoying on Iowa’s line of defense.

Jones reached out to Tyler Linderbaum, who made the identical transfer and have become an All-American earlier than changing into a first-round NFL draft choose.

So, that’s good recommendation to get.

“He helped me out fairly a bit,” Jones mentioned.

And, very similar to Linderbaum, Jones finds himself as Iowa’s beginning heart heading into Saturday’s season opener towards South Dakota State at Kinnick Stadium.

Jones was No. 1 on the depth chart launched Monday afternoon, the work he put in throughout the transition having paid off.

Jones, a third-year sophomore, spent his first two seasons working with Iowa’s line of defense, however with Linderbaum leaving, somebody was going to need to take his spot.

Jones was the one who gained the battle, but it surely’s been a problem.

Moreover Linderbaum, the perfect recommendation Jones bought got here from offensive line coach George Barnett, who simply gave him a easy phrase to recollect — loosen up.

“I might simply say it’s simply been getting the boldness in myself,” Jones mentioned of the largest problem he’s confronted. “I used to be timid, in a manner, as a result of I didn’t know what I used to be doing. However Coach Barnett mentioned to only go on the market and play, let it occur naturally. And that’s what I’ve been attempting to do.”

“He’s a pure, gifted athlete,” Barnett mentioned. “He’s sensible. He’s powerful. He simply wants reps. The extra he will get, the extra snug he’s in these conditions.”

It’s a sophisticated place to play, as Jones has discovered.

“You’ll be able to solely depend on your bodily items to this point,” Jones mentioned. “All people right here is super-talented. On the finish of the day, it’s your fundamentals that can make the largest distinction. Coach (Kirk) Ferentz, Coach Barnett, they emphasize that. If we will do the little issues proper, that may separate us from plenty of groups.

“Not each play goes to be excellent. So when you can attempt to restrict the quantity of errors, and issues like that, you’ll be positive.”

Jones can be studying the nuance of the place.

“Simply conceptually understanding the offense — Inside zone, outdoors zone, there’s at all times these particulars,” Jones mentioned. “You wouldn’t suppose there’s rather a lot, however there’s. Simply attempting to get these little particulars down.”

It helps having performed the line of defense, as a result of Jones has an thought on what’s coming.

“Oh it helps me a lot,” he mentioned. “Generally they’ll be calling out their blitzes, and I’m like, ‘OK, I do know what they’re doing.’”

Shotgun snaps have given him some bother — “I’m nonetheless attempting to get used to that stuff. Some are good, some aren’t so good. So I’m simply looking for the consistency in getting the snaps down,” Jones mentioned.

“He’s up for the problem,” Barnett mentioned. “He brings rather a lot to the desk. Now the problem is to get him the reps, give him an opportunity to see as many seems as he can.”

And if he wants assist, Jones is aware of he can ask Linderbaum for recommendation.

“Clearly,” Jone mentioned, “it labored out for him.”