Indiana University Athletics
Young Secondary Growing Up Fast
8/25/2015 1:35:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana's defensive backs will be forced to grow up quickly this season.
The Hoosiers don't have a single upperclassman among the 13 players listed as defensive backs. The most veteran players are a group of seven redshirt sophomores who have mostly had supporting roles up until this point in their Indiana careers.
Redshirt sophomore safety Chase Dutra—the most veteran and battle-tested defensive back—said he knows there's doubt surrounding his position group. He tries to ignore social media or whatever else is written about him and his teammates, but he understands why more than a few people have questioned IU's defensive backs.
Dutra doesn't worry too much, though. He said he's eager to answer those questions on the field.
"You hear about the talking, that we have a big question mark because a lot of us haven't played," Dutra said. "That just motivates us in a way because they do question us, and we want to go out there and prove them wrong and show them that we can play regardless of how young we are."
Ironically, Dutra likely has the least questions surrounding his playing ability among the defensive backs.
He was named to the BTN.com honorable mention All-Big Ten Freshman team as a redshirt freshman in 2014, playing in all 12 games and starting one. He made 34 tackles, two for loss, and proved to excel in pass coverage, grabbing three interceptions to go along with a forced fumble.
Dutra recognized early on in the offseason that the Hoosiers would need a vocal leader in the secondary. He quickly embraced the role, leading his teammates in summer workouts and trying to add stability at an evolving position.
"You think Chase Dutra, he may not be the fastest safety in the Big Ten, but from a heady, understanding of what we do—that's the guy we want back there running the ship," defensive coordinator Brian Knorr said. "He's been very good for us."
Barring injury or other unforeseen circumstance, Dutra will be Indiana's starting free safety come opening weekend. Who he lines up alongside isn't as clear.
Indiana secondary coaches Noah Joseph and Brandon Shelby have both repeatedly mentioned the increased level of competition at the cornerback and safety spots.
At cornerback, redshirt sophomores Rashard Fant and Noah Padmore have risen up the depth chart and are likely candidates to start at the corner spots, but that's still an open competition.
Starters or not, Fant and Padmore—like Dutra—have tried to take on leadership roles at their position.
"We were just talking a week ago. We're the oldest ones in the room. Who would have ever thought?" Fant said. "We've got more of a leadership role, but we're still learning. The kids younger than us look up to us, so that's cool and fun at the same time."
There's been an increased emphasis on sharpening up the fundamentals in the defensive backs room, Shelby said. Just a few practices ago, the Hoosiers spent a portion of their time working on the details of open-field tackling.
Sharpening up the fundamentals of the position can go a long way toward making the transition easier, Shelby said. It's not a total remedy for a lack of experience, but it can help.
"Of course you're going to have doubters because a lot of us haven't been on the field, but I really think this is a good group that's working hard," Padmore said. "We have depth everywhere. If one person goes down, we'll be okay because we've got another guy who's just as ready."
Part of last season's struggles against the pass contributed to Padmore's sense of readiness.
While players like Padmore and Fant or sophomore safety Tony Fields didn't take the majority of the snaps, they did get worked in the rotation. They'll be able to lean on those brief moments of game action as they get adjusted into increased roles.
"We've got a lot of young guys—guys that aren't scared," Fant said. "My big thing is I tell them all the time, 'Don't be scared to get beat.' It makes you a better player. You're going to get beat sometimes, but sometimes you'll make a play. And when you make a play, there isn't a better feeling when everyone's looking at you."
Padmore agreed, adding one thing.
"Then you swag out," Padmore said.
Indiana's secondary will be young, but it won't lack confidence.
