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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 26, ISSUE 3 59 Jafar Williams knew he just had to be patient. He figured Markell Jones, Indi- ana's Mr. Football, had a chance to play early and often for Purdue in his first season. But he also knew Jones had work to do to contribute at the college level. Watching Jones in the spring af- ter his early enrollment, that was clear. Jones generally seemed lost. He didn't understand the offense. He couldn't pass block. He wasn't play- ing fast. Jones admitted he didn't realize the kind of commitment needed and he came in underpre- pared. But Williams stayed patient, kept teaching — realizing it was important not to overlook even the smallest things he thought Jones might be able to figure out — and Jones matured and, ultimately, re- sponded. Jones learned how to work, in the offseason in the weight room, in the film room, on the practice field. And once he got a chance and got carries in games, his knowledge amplified his physical ability. By the end of the season, Jones had rushed for a team-high 875 yards, the most rushing yards by a true freshman in Purdue history. He was the first first-year player to lead the team in rushing since redshirt freshman Montrell Lowe's 841 yards in 1999. Jones' 10 rush- ing touchdowns were the most by a freshman in school history. His 5.2 yards-per-carry average was the highest among freshmen in school history. His rushing total also was sev- enth overall in the Big Ten, second among freshmen. "I didn't really have an idea of what my goals should be just be- cause I'm not really sure what's realistic," Jones said late in the season. "I'll just continue to work hard. I think I've had a decent sea- son. Could be better. I could be run- ning for more yards. I could have cut more guys earlier, blocked more guys, been better in my protection, little things like that. I think, over- all, for a young guy, I've done pretty well. But being young is not really an excuse anymore. Just want to continue to be solid in what I do." Being concerned about not quite picking up guys in pass pro? Realizing he didn't hit holes fast enough because he didn't know enough? All improvements Jones made throughout the year. "In the spring, he was not very good in a lot of things," Williams said late in the season, reflecting back. "With a young guy with his ability — he has all the natural traits — it was just about patience and repetition and really not over- looking anything. "What he's done is every week, he's gotten better. I think we have a really good player." Sophomore D.J. Knox started the season as Purdue's No. 1 back and had results, rushing for nearly 200 Tom Campbell Late in the season, Domonique Young showcased the big-play threat he was ex- pected to be coming out of junior college in California.