Indiana University Athletics
Quotable: 2015 #IUFB Media Day
8/9/2015 1:24:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
Indiana football coaches and players spent two hours addressing the media at the Hoosiers' annual media day Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
We picked out 10 quotes from the media sessions to try to highlight a few of the storylines heading into the Hoosiers' first full week of camp.
Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson: "(Chase Dutra) came to me earlier in the summer, said, 'Hey, I've got this.' Not that he's going to be Mr. Rah Rah, Mr. Big Speech Guy all the time, but I don't think he hides. I don't think he's seeing that per se, wants to be anointed: 'I'm your leader.' But I don't think he's scared or afraid or hides from it. I think he embraces it."
Redshirt sophomore Chase Dutra has already become one of Indiana's defensive leaders at safety despite only making one start last season.
Dutra recently made the move from strong safety to free safety and wasted no time stepping into a leadership role. He said he tried to set an example vocally and with his work ethic during the summer and hopes to help younger players catch up to speed.
In a secondary without much experience to lean on, Dutra may become one of Indiana's most relied on players early and often this season. Based on what he and Wilson have said, it appears he's ready for it.
Wilson: "The story is, hands down (Darius Latham) as the best I've seen him in work ethic, body ethics, buy in, giving it all he's got, doing this daily, doing a lot of great things players do in preps. I think he'll have a phenomenal year."
Wilson broke news that Darius Latham, a junior defensive tackle, had his knee scoped in the summer and has yet to practice.
The Indianapolis native started 10 games last season and made 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss while also breaking up three passes and recovering a fumble.
It doesn't appear Latham's knee will be an issue based on the way Wilson lauded his improvements. Latham could be poised for another strong season.
Defensive coordinator Brian Knorr: "We're seeing players being more comfortable with the (3-4) system. As coaches, we've made changes as far as moving guys to other positions…We're moving our guys and giving them their best strengths."
A handful of defensive players are expected to benefit from position changes this season.
Nick Mangieri moved from bandit linebacker to defensive end. Darius Latham moved from defensive end to tackle. Dutra, as mentioned above, moved over to free safety.
Knorr said the combination of the changes in personnel and a full year's worth of playing experience should lead to improvements across the board in his second season as Indiana's defensive coordinator.
Running backs coach Deland McCullough: "Our breakdown heading from the locker room just now was 'Physical." And I said to them, 'It's time to get it on.' Our staple is being tough, physical guys. Guys who can run with velocity but focus at the same time. We'll be physically and mentally tough"
The Indiana running game is going to look different without Tevin Coleman—not necessarily better or worse—but different.
Early indications are that the Hoosiers will pride themselves in a power run game this season.
Both Devine Redding and UAB transfer Jordan Howard take pride in their physical running styles. A stable that includes Andrew Wilson, Tommy Mister, Ricky Brookins and Alex Rodriguez isn't exactly afraid of taking a hit, either.
Linebackers coach William Inge: "It's been a blast working with Raekwon Jones, Gabe Estes and Omari Stringer because we've seen them learn. It's like a baby giraffe. Initially, it may not be able to stand up. But then it finds out, 'Okay, where's the water? Where's the food?' Then it can stand up. It can eat. It can succeed in life."
Never one to shy away from a metaphor, Inge said his young linebackers are still getting comfortable in college camp.
Part of Inge's recruiting philosophy is that he recruits players to fill immediate roles with the team. He doesn't want to waste any time waiting for them to catch up to speed.
Players like junior T.J. Simmons, who has started 23-of-24 games already, have proven that a young player who's impressive will get an opportunity to play early on. For now, Inge is still waiting for a few of his guys to get adjusted to the college playing field.
Defensive backs coach Brandon Shelby: "We had kind of been talking about (combining the corners and safeties coaches) for a while. I think it's a really good deal just because myself and coach (Noah) Joseph can be on the same page using different terminology that different players can kind of understand…I think the players are enjoying it."
Former-safeties coach Noah Joseph and former-cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby have teamed up to become Indiana's "defensive backs coaches."
The early indications are that the change is paying off. The theory behind the change is that the secondary will play more as a single unit now that they're all working together.
The coaches and players involved in the change have all said they've enjoyed the change so far. They think it could help strengthen a pass defense that last season gave up a few too many yards.
Offensive line coach Greg Frey: "Oh, Coach (Ralston) Evans is doing good. You know, I gave him a whistle. I think he's going to have a great future ahead of him in college athletics."
Ralston Evans' playing career is over, but he's not going anywhere just yet.
The fifth-year senior took a medical hardship and won't be playing this season as previously anticipated.
But instead of leaving the program all together, Evans took a student coaching job with the Hoosiers and has worked alongside Frey in practice.
Frey said Evans has taken the change in stride. He expects Evans to do all he can this season to make his former teammates stronger in his new role with the team.
Offensive lineman Dan Feeney: "It's a good competition out there at right tackle. It's going to be interesting to see this camp and who's going to play there and who wants it the most."
Evans' move to the coaching staff leaves the right tackle spot up for grabs.
There's been quite a few names tossed out as potential starters ranging from young players like Tim Gardner, DaVondre Love and Brandon Knight to older guys like Dimitric Camiel.
With Indiana's depth, Wilson has said it wouldn't surprise him to be playing a large rotation of players.
Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld: "It feels good to be on some watch lists, but I understand that it doesn't really mean anything. All these watch lists are a reflection of the team because really, as a quarterback, you're only as good as the guys around you no matter what watch list it is."
Sudfeld's name has appeared on quite a few watch lists this offseason, but the Modesto, Calif., native isn't letting the recognitions change the way he plays or prepares.
Sudfeld was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list just last week. The award is given annually "to the nation's top college quarterback based on character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments," according to the press release announcing the watch list.
Sudfeld was previously already on the watch list for the Maxwell Award (given to the nation's top player) and the Wuerffel Award (given to players with outstanding community service).
Junior receiver Ricky Jones: "I get a lot of the grandfather jokes now that I'm the oldest guy in the group. We've got a really young group. So I'm kind of the leader right now of that group, and I'm really proud of them. I love how every day they're coming out and competing. There's competition at every spot."
Age jokes aside, Jones is one of the oldest members of a mostly unproven receiving corps eager to rebound after a season that he admits was a "a little under par."
Jones said he's eager for increased role this season after catching three passes for 58 yards as a sophomore. He's already doing all he can off the field to provide a veteran voice in the locker room.
Jones impressed a few of his teammates, including his quarterbacks, at the spring game last season. He could be poised to breakout in 2015.
