Jack Tomlinson remembers a day about eight years ago when he had a chance to see his grandfather's old football tapes.
Seeing his grandfather Elbert Dubenion as a receiver in the 1960s for the Buffalo Bills was all Tomlinson needed to change directions in his athletic career.
"When I was younger, I played soccer," Tomlinson said. "But ever since that day, I've tried to be like him and live up to his standards."
So far Tomlinson is doing a pretty good job following in Dubenion's footsteps. As a freshman, Tomlinson has overcome a torn left hip flexor that kept him sidelined though much of training camp to crack Ball State's lineup.
He suffered the injury during track season as a senior at Westerville South High School. The injury happened after Tomlinson had played in the Ohio North-South Classic, one of the premier high school all-star games in the state. He caught a 32-yard touchdown, showing off the speed that has allowed him to have success as a receiver.
The all-star game accomplishment gave him motivation heading into his first season of college football.
"It gave me a lot of confidence," he said. "Now I have to keep that confidence."
Tomlinson said his speed is one of the attributes he shares with his grandfather. Dubenion played in the American Football League before its merger with the NFL. He had his best season in 1964 when he caught 10 touchdowns and had 1,139 yards on just 42 receptions. He was named an AFL All-Star that season and the Bills won the championship.
Tomlinson said there are a lot of similarities between him and his grandfather. He said he was impressed with what he's seen on film of Dubenion.
"He had great speed, great hands," Tomlinson said. "He wasn't big either, so it makes me think I can do whatever."
Despite all of Dubenion's accomplishments, however, he thinks his grandson is a better receiver than he was, Tomlinson said.
"He tells me my hands are better than his," Tomlinson said. "But clearly he did from the films."
Tomlinson said his grandfather, who is 77, has not been able to watch him play in person yet in college.
But he is looking forward to a time when Ball State plays closer to his home so Dubenion can make the trip to watch.
Until then, Tomlinson will keep working to try and live up to his grandfather's standards. Coach Stan Parrish said he thinks Tomlinson is developing well, and once he gets over some of his freshman jitters, will be a quality receiver.
"He's a young guy learning every day," Parrish said. "It's his first time under the spotlight with some of that stuff. I think that will improve as we go along."
While Tomlinson has only two catches for 39 yards this season, he has become the Cardinals' deep threat. Multiple times this season Parrish has said Tomlinson was open on plays, but Keith Wenning wasn't able to complete the pass.
Despite the early struggles, Tomlinson said he knows he and Wenning will start making plays together soon.
"I think we do have a good connection," he said. "Throughout these years we'll keep building on that and see what happens."
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