Thanks to a bowl game, the break from IU football just hasn't been all that long. What a difference a month of extra practices make. Today was first day of Spring practice, and a lot has already been reported by Peegs and Scout. Also, the new spring roster and depth chart came out, which has brought a lot of questions and lots of comments from fans. With all the "crap" that is going with IU basketball and the coaching search, at least for the first week or so, IU football will probably see a lot more curious fans, because message boards will be buzzing with "inside information" from "realible sources" on the new coach and that gets old for most.
So the first practice started with many absences today with 14 kids out due to injuries, KL suspended, and James Bailey excused for the first week or so to concentrate on some personal issues, which I've been told should be cleared up by the middle of Spring Ball. So for all the fans that have been wanting IU to develop depth, now is the opportune time to do so, as many positions will have back ups as starters and 3rd and 4th stringers as the primary back ups. While I expect there to be sloppiness, I also expect some very spirited practices and competition among the back ups, because many of these kids will not get this many snaps come fall.
As promised for several weeks now, I want to take a good look at the Defensive Line. I don't recall a bigger improvement or maybe the key words should be a bigger surprise than the entire Defensive Line last fall in terms of pressure, depth, and development. The group came into the fall as a young, yet experienced group. Most believed the players would improve, but I don't think too many people would have predicted their impact, especially the amount of sacks the unit as a whole produced. In 2006, the DL produced 10 sacks and 6 QB hurries, but in 2007, this group produced a whooping 36.5 sacks and 8 QB hurries. Of course Greg Middleton had 16 of those sacks, but still that's a montrous improvement. Now, let's see what we return this season.
Fabiene Boone 6'3" 250 DE RS Junior (walk-on) from Evansville, IN
Fabiene came to IU as a 215 walk-on and has saw time each of the past couple of seasons on kick and punt coverage teams and occassional DE time. He played in 9 games last season and 2 tackles, 2 assists, and 1/2 tackle for loss. This season, he's expect to again be a special teams leader and add depth to the DL.
Jeff Boyd 6'3" 305 DT RS FR from Warren Central HS in Indianapolis
Jeff just plain tore up the scout team last season, and he played well enough last fall to earn a team spot, but the coaches really wanted to RS him and give him an opportunity to add some muscle/weight and boy did he ever. He came to IU around 275 and he weighed in this spring at 305, a 30 pound gain. He also hasn't seemed to lose his quickness, nor stamina, as he's performed extremely well in off season conditioning. He and Deonte Mack look to battle it out for the other starting spot opposite of Greg Brown.
Greg Brown 6'3" 300 DT RS SR from Centerville, OH.
Not much more can be said about Greg as he's been the anchor of the DL for 2 years now. He is out for spring ball it appears, but things are really not going to change all that much scheme wise for the DL, so all he'll need to do is catch up conditioning wise. Greg truly became a good anchor last season and seemed to really mature as the leader that was needed as the season went along. Last season, Greg put up 29 solo tackles, 21 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes broken up, 1 QB hurry, and 1 forced fumble.
Keith Burrus 6'3" 285 DT JR from Indianapolis, IN
Keith's twin brother Kevin is also a member of the team and both have really improved since last season getting bigger and stronger to really improve the depth at the DT position. Keith played in 10 games last season and registered 9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. He will again provide quality, rotational depth for this season, which is a must to keep your key players healthy and fresh entering the 4th quarter.
Kevin Burrus 6'2" 312 DT RS Soph from Indianapolis via Coffeyville Comm. College in Kanas
The bigger of the twins, Keith played in 12 games last season and registered 11 tackles last season. Like his twin, Keith, he'll provide quality depth that will be rotated in throughout the game. At 312 pounds, he's the heaviest DT on the roster, and that will be utilized on the goalline defense for sure.
Fred Jones 6'4" 265 DE RS FR from Tyrone, GA.
Another RS FR that tore it up on the scout team last season, as he and Jeff Boyd really gave the OL fits running the opponets DL schemes. Fred is very quick and during his RS season, he's put on 30 pounds of muscle and weight. IU lost 1 DE from last season, Brian Faires, and Fred will be expected to come in and rotate in as a speed rusher. He's been mentored by Greg Middleton, as both are close to the same side and he'll back up Greg this season.
Jammie Kirlew DE 6'3" 266 RS JR from Orland, FL
Jammie is entering his 2nd full season as starter and last season saw him produce steadily with a monster game against Iowa registering 3 sacks in that game alone. Last season, Jammie put up 57 total tackles, a montrous 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 passes broken up, 1 QB hurry, 1 fumble forces, and 1 fumble recovered. As Greg became a major force and offenses were forced to double team him, Jammie saw more and more one on one match ups. This off season, he's put on right around 10 pounds and again will be expect to form the dynamic duo with Middleton.
Deonte Mack DT 6'3" 280 RS Soph from elkhart, IN
Deonte has had a very good off season as his weight is now at 280. He played last season around 260, so he's done the work that he needed to do to play. He's also been a leader during off season conditioning and would have entered the spring in a battle with Jeff Boyd to start opposite Greg Brown, but that battle will have to wait as he's battling a shoulder injury that will limit his contact this spring. It's not a major problem, but the staff wants him healthy for the fall, so he's not going to get all banged up for now. Last season, Mack saw action in 12 games and recorded 18 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. This season, his production should see a major increase, as once again, IU plans to rotate their DL guys regularly.
Greg Middleton DE 6'3" 275 JR from Indianapolis, IN.
I don't think any player from Indiana had a bigger season than this kid did. He was a MONSTER on the DL and it came as a major surprise to most people as well. Many remember, Greg verballed to Purdue, then changed his mind, and IU is now reaping the benefits. With IU's improved DE depth, this should give Greg even fresher legs in the 4th quarter, though he'll see many more double teams, but that will only open up his teammates. Greg also, pulled an Indy Colts trick on 3rd downs and switched to DT, so Marando could come in and rush from the DE spot. Greg put on right at 10 more pounds of muscle this off season and looks to improve on what was a record season for him at DE last season. He posted 50 total tackles, an unheard of 17 tackles for loss, another 16 sacks (school record), 4 passes deflected, 1 QB hurry, 2 fumbles recoverd, and 1 fumble forced. I'm not sure what else he can do for an encore this season, or next even, but I'm excited to see him improve. He's got a chance to work himself into a sure fire first round draft choice in a year or two.
Ryan Marando 6'2" 251 DE from Lakewood, OH.
If Greg's production was the most unexpected, then Ryan's had to be 2nd among the DEs. Ryan had bounced around from TE to DE looking for a position for a couple of season, and then all of sudden, when IU needed another rush DE on 3rd and long situations with Middleton moving inside, up stepped Ryan to fill the spot and boy did he ever produce. Ryan saw action in all 13 games last season and recoreded 20 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 QB hurry, and 1 forced fumble. Ryan will have some competition this spring and fall for that rush specialist spot in the form of Fred Jones, but you can be sure that Ryan will still see action on a rotation basis as yet another rush end.
Eric Thomas 6'4" 265 DT from Cleveland, OH.
Eric came to IU as a 250 DE, but moved inside as was expected. He needs more weight, but he's quick for 265 and in another year or so, he'll contribute. Also, with Mack out, he'll see a lot of time this spring, so we'll see what he's able to do.
Terrance Thomas 6'1" 256 DE Sophmore from Detroit
Terrance came to IU as a walk-on after a short stint in the military. He was an All City pick his senior year of HS and last season posted 5 tackles playing in 11 games via punt and kickoff teams. Will again be looked upon as a special teams demon.
Arik Wolf 6'3" 235 DE RS SR from Bright, IN (East Central HS) walk-on
Arik appears to be the only kid that lost weight from last season. He saw action in 1 game last season (Indiana State) and didn't post any tackles or sacks. He'll again provide depth this season.
Coming this fall:
Larry Black 6'3" 290 DE from Wyoming, OH
Kyle Kozak 6'5" 240 DE from Chatham, Virginia
Mick Mentzer 6'3" 280 DT from Fort Wayne, IN
Nick Sliger 6'3" 290 DT from Cicero, IN
As I mentioned, it appears that Emile Bass, a 6'3" 297 RS JR has switched from DT to OG, and this was just recently, but that is what he was listed at for the spring. With that happening, I expect all the incoming Frosh to be kept on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, Emile posted 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 sack in 8 games. Will be interesting to see how he does this spring.
Since Austin Starr is a Senior, and IU only has walk-ons Nick Ford (5'9" 203 from LaPorte, IN) and Charlie Klingensmith (6' 170 from Carmel, IN) as his back ups, smart money says that IU will bring in a kicker this season.
On the 28th of this month, Ryan Stokes from Merrellville, IN will be tripping to IU for an unofficial visit. Ryan is 5'8" but don't let the height scare you. This kid has a big time leg. Ray Guy's website rates him as the #6 kicker in the country this coming season and his averages are as follows: 63 yards per kickoff, 3.26 second hang time on kickoffs (Starr is around 3.5), 90% FG average. IU hasn't offered Ryan, but they are recruiting him, and getting him down for the spring will be great for both sides. Ryan has kicked a total of 23 FGs in his career and kicked a 56 yarder at Ohio State's camp last season, so he's got a serious leg. Furthermore, he's kicking in the not so best of conditions, as Merrellville is very close to Chicago, and we all know how bad the weather and footing can be for a kicker in that city. He's a big time prospect and I hope that he can get that offer from IU, and he will come. While I like Nick Ford from LaPorte, Ryan is a step above and has as what appears to be a more accurate leg.
Just ahead of Ryan is Logan Powell a 5'10" 140, from Northrup HS in Fort Wayne. Logan is the #5 ranked kicker according to prokicker.com and lists Notre Dame as his #1 choice, but no offer from them or anyone yet. He doesn't get the distance that Ryan gets on kickoffs, but he has almost 4 second hang time which is very, very good. I don't have any stats on him, but he's also suppose to have an accurate leg as well.
Those appear to be the top 2 prospects in Indiana this season along with a kid from Fishers HS near Carmel, IN, but he doesn't appear to be D1 material at this point. IU did offer Cody Kemps and Nick Freeland as preferred walkons for this coming fall, but Kemps chose to go to Purdue with the same opportunity and Freeland is going D 1AA I believe.
Thought it would be fun to look at kickers, as they are rarely mentioned, but as we know with Austin, they can make or break your season.
Also, just a quick blurb on KL. He is getting treatment and if he can stay clean, he'll be back by Fall practice. Of course, it's all up to him, so we'll see what happens.
Next time, I'll dig into the LBs.
God Bless!!!
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