Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones received good news this week.
The Deerfield graduate, who sat out last season after transferring from Buffalo and joining the Hawkeyes as a walk-on, learned Monday that he had been awarded a scholarship.
For Jones, it was another reminder that he made the right decision to transfer.
“It was a long-term goal of mine to get a scholarship, and it helps my family financially,” Jones said. “It’s one of those goals I set for myself. We had practice, and me another teammate found out we earned a scholarship. In situations like that, you don’t really need big celebrations.”
Watching from the sidelines last season, the 5-foot-11, 187-pound Jones recovered from shoulder surgery and learned Iowa’s playbook to be better prepared when he was cleared to play.
“I wanted to make the best of my time and get bigger, stronger and faster,” Jones said. “I knew I had a long way to go to get ready for this season. I was down a lot of weight after surgery, and it took me some time to get back up to where I was before.”
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So far, the redshirt junior’s play on special teams is a big factor in Iowa’s five-game winning streak.
Jones had an electrifying 54-yard punt return for a touchdown against Michigan State on Nov. 7 — Iowa’s first punt return for a TD since 2018. He added a 31-yard punt return in that game and was named the Big Ten special teams player of the week.
Jones said it was a special moment to score his first touchdown for Iowa (5-2), which is No. 16 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and end a season-opening two-game losing streak.
“I left Buffalo and a scholarship behind because I wanted to play against the best, so I took a chance and bet on myself and decided to walk on,” he said. “I had to prove to everyone I belonged.
“The touchdown was a crazy moment. I had great blocking, and I was trying to make something out of nothing. I had a lot of my family there.”
Jones said he’s excited about the possibility of an expanded role next season due to expected graduation losses at wide receiver. He’s adjusting to lining up outside after playing in the slot at Buffalo. He has yet to catch a pass this season but has returned 19 punts for 223 yards for an average of 11.7 yards, which ranks ninth in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
“I want to help the team and make a play any chance I get, if I get called in on offense or on special teams,” he said. “We have put ourselves in a good position as a team after losing our first two games. We have our last regular-season game next and hopefully a bowl game.”
Budnik’s early success: Highland Park graduate Addie Budnik is making an impact in her first season at Richmond.
The 6-2 freshman forward scored a career-high 23 points and had three blocked shots in a 72-55 win against William & Mary on Sunday. Budnik is averaging 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in four games coming off the bench. She’s shooting 61.3% from the field and has hit four 3-pointers.
“I’m definitely surprised that I’ve got to play a big role this early,” Budnik said. “All summer and this fall, I’ve been preparing to contribute to the team in any role. Moving forward, I just want to do what I can to help my team to continue to find success. … I’m beyond excited for the rest of the season and my future at Richmond.”
Douglass delivers: Lake Forest graduate Halle Douglass, the 2019-20 News-Sun Girls Basketball Player of the Year, scored two points — the first of her Wisconsin career — in an 85-78 loss to Iowa on Saturday. The freshman guard has played in one of the Badgers’ two games this season.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.