Communication Main Focus for Defensive Backs
3/9/2017 2:42:00 PM | Football
By: Ben Segelbaum
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After the fourth practice of spring ball, Indiana cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby and fifth-year senior cornerbackback Rashard Fant spoke about their progress so far.
"The main focus is to have communication, make sure we're flying around, and continue to build on what we did last year," Shelby said.
Building on last year will come easier for the Hoosiers in 2017 because of the number of players returning.
"We can start adding things to the playbook," Shelby said. "Those guys know what the expectation is, they've done a good job of doing it. Now, we just have to keep building upon it. Those guys have a lot of game reps, so there's not a lot they haven't seen."
A big returnee for IU is Fant. Last season, he was named a second team All-Big Ten selection after he topped the Big Ten in pass breakups (17, T-2nd nationally) and passes defended (20, 3rd nationally).
"Really excited to have him back," Shelby said. "During recruiting, we had to go out and recruit him. We had to go see his mom and dad and show him the things he can get coming back. A great example is Dan Feeney. Feeney got that much bigger and better and had general managers down at the combine telling him great things. Hopefully God blesses him and he gets the same opportunity. If he keeps doing the things he's doing, I think he will. He knows what I expect and has done a great job thus far."
Fant himself is excited to be back wearing the Cream and Crimson and work on his game.
"I just want to become a better overall football player," Fant said. "There are a lot of things I can still work on even though some people will say 'you've done this.' That doesn't matter any more, people can continue to get better. I have to do the same thing and stay a step ahead of my competition. Just getting better, helping the young guys, lending them knowledge I got from the guys before me. Doing those things, having fun with it, enjoying it, cherishing these moments and taking it day-by-day."
Before Fant can worry about the next step in his career, his focus is on what comes next for Indiana Football.
"It's been going really well," Fant said of spring practice. "We're a little thin right now, but that's just getting us more in shape with the fast tempo that our offense has. All of us are focusing on technique, continuing to be physical and make plays."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After the fourth practice of spring ball, Indiana cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby and fifth-year senior cornerbackback Rashard Fant spoke about their progress so far.
"The main focus is to have communication, make sure we're flying around, and continue to build on what we did last year," Shelby said.
Building on last year will come easier for the Hoosiers in 2017 because of the number of players returning.
"We can start adding things to the playbook," Shelby said. "Those guys know what the expectation is, they've done a good job of doing it. Now, we just have to keep building upon it. Those guys have a lot of game reps, so there's not a lot they haven't seen."
A big returnee for IU is Fant. Last season, he was named a second team All-Big Ten selection after he topped the Big Ten in pass breakups (17, T-2nd nationally) and passes defended (20, 3rd nationally).
"Really excited to have him back," Shelby said. "During recruiting, we had to go out and recruit him. We had to go see his mom and dad and show him the things he can get coming back. A great example is Dan Feeney. Feeney got that much bigger and better and had general managers down at the combine telling him great things. Hopefully God blesses him and he gets the same opportunity. If he keeps doing the things he's doing, I think he will. He knows what I expect and has done a great job thus far."
Fant himself is excited to be back wearing the Cream and Crimson and work on his game.
"I just want to become a better overall football player," Fant said. "There are a lot of things I can still work on even though some people will say 'you've done this.' That doesn't matter any more, people can continue to get better. I have to do the same thing and stay a step ahead of my competition. Just getting better, helping the young guys, lending them knowledge I got from the guys before me. Doing those things, having fun with it, enjoying it, cherishing these moments and taking it day-by-day."
Before Fant can worry about the next step in his career, his focus is on what comes next for Indiana Football.
"It's been going really well," Fant said of spring practice. "We're a little thin right now, but that's just getting us more in shape with the fast tempo that our offense has. All of us are focusing on technique, continuing to be physical and make plays."
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