Iowa WR, return-specialist Charlie Jones enters NCAA transfer portal

An integral part of a 10-win team last year, Jones is one of 3 Hawkeyes to ever return both a kickoff return and punt return for touchdowns.

Mike Hlas

May. 25, 2022 1:50 pm, Updated: Jun. 1, 2022 4:21 pm

Iowa’s Charlie Jones returns a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in the Hawkeyes’ 33-23 football win over Illinois last Nov. 20 at Kinnick Stadium. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

In a jolt to the Iowa football program, wide receiver/kick-returner Charlie Jones has entered the NCAA transfer portal, as first reported by On3 Sports.

Jones was the Big Ten’s Return Specialist of the Year in 2021 after returning 25 kickoffs for a 25.4-yard average and a touchdown, and 37 punts for a 7.7-yard average. He returned a punt for a TD in 2020.

He became the third Hawkeye to ever return both a punt and kickoff for scores.

In addition, he had 21 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns, including a 72-yard scoring grab against Minnesota.

“This is exactly why I came here,” Jones said after the game. “I was playing in the MAC, left the scholarship because I knew I could play in the Big Ten.

“It was tough on me, tough on my family, but we knew it was worth it. Moments in games like this is exactly why I came here.”

Jones, who will be a sixth-year senior, was placed on scholarship in December 2020. He announced four months ago that he was returning to Iowa for another season after considering going to the NFL. His return was viewed as a plus for the Hawkeyes.

“I have unfinished business to accomplish and look forward to achieving my goals with this team,” Jones said at the time on the team’s social media accounts.

He transferred to Iowa as a walk-on after playing one season at the University of Buffalo, where he had 18 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns.

In other news, defensive back Olando Trader of Jackson, Mich., has de-committed from Iowa’s Class of 2022. Trader originally chose Iowa over Central Michigan.