Graham: Cream & Crimson Game Notebook
4/14/2018 8:50:00 PM | Football
By Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Peyton Ramsey rolled around right end and set sail.
And he covered 53 yards in a flash for the first touchdown of Saturday's Cream & Crimson Game that concluded Indiana's spring football practices.
Ramsey's Crimson squad ultimately prevailed, 37-28, with most of the scoring coming from orchestrated kicking segments (as redshirt sophomore Jared Smolar connected on field goals from 40 and 30 yards away to help the Crimson cause during the official game segment).
But that TD dash on the day's first series seemed to set a general tone.
This team, including redshirt sophomore quarterback Ramsey, looks faster.
Dr. Matt Rhea, assisting new director of athletic performance David Ballou specifically to boost Hoosier speed, tweeted this about Ramsey's run:
"I'm calling it right now … 21 mph on that 50-yard TD run."
IU head coach Tom Allen put it this way post-game:
"Sometimes when you see them all the time, you don't quite have a perception of it … but every time that someone comes and watches us that hasn't seen us for a while, they'll comment about the way our team looks and how well we move.
"So obviously part of that's recruiting, but a big part of that with the guys that are here is our strength staff … when you believe in the people that are coaching you and leading you like our guys do, it really increases the effort. Just the amount of focus you bring to each workout. Because they really believe in their hearts if they do everything they're asked to do, they're going to get bigger, stronger and faster."
Redshirt sophomore husky Marcelino Ball, who missed nine games due to injury last fall but was back in the mix this spring, noticed effects stemming from the work of Ballou and Rhea – whom he feels are earning their salaries.
"He is good, man," Ball said of Ballou. "He is good. I'm not going to tell my weight, but I'm sitting at a good weight and I'm feeling really fast. Feeling good. Everybody is feeling good.
"I see even the linemen, D-linemen. They look like skill players. So, we're feeling good in the weight room. Ballou and Coach Rhea, they are doing their thing. They are getting their checks."
Michael Penix Jr., the true freshman who enrolled in January and provided Ramsey his primary competition for quarterback repetitions this spring, also noted a difference at this level of conditioning.
"We've all been working," said Penix, who is also fleet afoot. "Every day, we're always going hard. Thanks to Coach Ballou, everybody is getting stronger, faster. As a team, we've been improving. Can't wait to see what's going to happen next fall."
QB OR NOT QB?
Ramsey and Penix seemed poised to continue a spirited but collaborative competition for the starting quarterback job this summer and in fall camp, but they'll soon be joined by Arizona graduate transfer Brandon Dawkins.
Ramsey, who completed 65 percent of his passes and started four games last fall before injury intervened, appreciates how Penix has already pushed things to another level and trusts Dawkins will do the same.
"I think when you have talent in the room and other guys that are going to push you, it's helpful for everybody," Ramsey, who started four games last fall and completed 65 percent of his passes before injury intervened. "It's helpful not only for me, but I think it's helpful for the rest of the offense and the rest of the team because there are guys that are going to continue to push and continue to make the entire offense better."
Ramsey, unofficially, completed 5-of-8 throws for 30 yards in very limited action Saturday. The game was confined to two quarters, and most of the points came from prescribed field goal attempts.
Penix, unofficially, was 4-of-11 for 56 yards.
All of the QBs played without the services of potential starters at wide receiver such as Nick Westbrook and Donavan Hale, held out of contact this spring as they rehabilitate injuries.
But Ramsey noted that meant more reps out wide for proven slot receivers such as Luke Timian and Whop Philyor, and a lot more reps for younger receivers.
"As much as I would've liked those two guys (Westbrook and Hale) out there working on our timing," Ramsey said. "I think it was big for Luke and Whop and younger guys like David Felton, Jacolby Hewitt and Chris Gajcak out there just getting reps and getting the opportunity to go out and compete against our top guys.
"I think it was beneficial for them and both of us (quarterbacks), just getting the timing down with those guys. (Philyor and Timian) are just really good at getting open. They just understand defenses and they understand where the soft spots are going to be. As a quarterback, it's extremely helpful when you know they're going to find soft spots, they're going to find holes in the defense. It's really helpful for quarterbacks."
Penix felt sharing a quarterback room with coach Nick Sheridan, Ramsey and others was helpful after his arrival from Tampa Bay Tech High School for the start of spring semester.
"When I came in, coach told me what I had to do: 'If you're trying to get on the field, you got to learn the plays.' The quarterback has to know what he's doing.
"…It started in the quarterback room. We always got up and did signals, teaching each other, quizzing each other. (Sheridan) gave us quizzes. Then I had time late at night after everything was over. I'd be in my room just studying as much as I can.
"I feel like I did pretty well. There's always room for improvement. Coach, when in the coaching room, he always says the biggest room is the room for improvement."
What has already improved for Penix is his ability to handle the pace of the college game, amidst an IU team that looked faster this spring.
"The biggest thing is probably just the speed of the game," Penix said. "Everything is quicker, but once you get the plays down you just trust your abilities. Everything slows down. I feel like everything is slowing down now. With school, you just got to stay on top of your work. It's time management.
"I feel like I'm a lot more composed as a quarterback. Coach Sheridan has been working with me every day, along with the rest of the quarterbacks."
Penix, like Ramsey, is looking forward to learning alongside and from Dawkins, who has already started 14 games for a Power 5 football team. And, like Ramsey, he's not about to concede the starting job.
"I think it's just another person I'm competing with," Penix said of Dawkins. "We need a player on the roster that has a full scholarship (and experience). We got him and it's going to be a good competition. We're going to be fighting for that spot.
"From him, with him starting in college, (it'll be) just learning the mentality of the quarterback position and how he sees things. He's going to come in and we're all going to work together, because in the quarterback room we're all close. We help each other out. We never downgrade anybody. We're always pushing each other, so when he comes in it's just going to be more pushing, more competition."
DANCING. BALL. A NATURAL COMBO.
While quarterbacks were off-limits concerning contact Saturday, Ball posted a "tackle for loss" on a Penix keeper early on and showcased some snazzy dance moves in celebration.
Later, after speaking with the media, Ball joined some kids – who were among the many family members viewing the game – for some dance instruction, showing them some more nifty moves.
Ball is just happy to be able to again show his considerable moves on the field after earning a medical redshirt last fall.
"I've felt pretty good," said Ball, who was out of action for months and had to shake off some rust this spring. "There have been ups and downs as far as good days and bad days. I think the good have outnumbered the bad.
"There have been things that changed since I was in there, and it's about six months since I played. So, the first week or two it was kind of like, 'Dang, I forgot how to play.'"
Ball and the other Husky backs, who formerly congregated with defensive backs, are now congregating with colleagues in coach Kane Wommack's linebacker room. Ball relishes the change as helping him learn the total defense better.
"As far as being away from the DBs, I just have a different perspective that I like" he said, "because we talk about the D-line's objectives and the linebackers' objectives and I already know what the DBs are doing, because I was in that room for two years.
"Now I'm getting the linebacker and D-line perspective, so now, sometimes, I know when to push the buttons on coverages on stuff like that."
Ball earned some 2016 Freshman All-American honors and returns as a key leader for IU's defense but, having missed some time, is letting his play do most of the talking for now.
"I try to lead by making plays," he said. "I'm trying to be quieter than I was, because I feel that if you make plays, show effort and stuff like that, your players will follow you. And then you can probably speak more.
"Right now, as I said, I'm coming back from six months (off). So, I'm still trying to get in my groove. In my shoes, I feel I can't really speak right now as a leader, like Jon (Crawford) and Reakwon (Jones) and others, guys who have been in there every day showing and making plays out there. So I'm just to stay in my zone."
The last time Ball played a full season, IU played in its second straight bowl game. He was asked Saturday how important it was for the Hoosiers to regain bowl eligibility in 2018.
"Bowl game?" Ball responded, some incredulity in his voice. "We're trying to get more than a bowl game, man. That's everybody's objective, why you play football – to win. To win, win, win. But it takes work.
"I'm not a fortune-teller. We'll see how it comes out."
STEAK WILL BE SERVED
Even with Ball in the linebacker room, senior safety Jon Crawford feels Ball's return further bolsters what is shaping up as an experienced and capable IU secondary.
"Keeps the back end stronger," Crawford said of Ball being back on the field. "Last year, when he was hurt, we had to move people around and do things differently. Since he's back, we're solid in the back end."
Crawford includes redshirt freshman safeties Juwan Burgess and Bryant Fitzgerald in that assessment.
"Started out slow but, 15 practices in, they've got their confidence," Crawford said of Burgess and Fitzgerald. "They want to be great. They really do. You can really see it.
"They put in extra work, especially in the film room, and on the field, too. Just seeing them progress over time has really been good."
Speaking of good, as a member of the victorious team Saturday, Crawford is looking forward to a steak dinner Monday, served by the losing side. And he has requested a specific server.
"Reakwon Jones," said Crawford, who likes his steaks medium. "I've already told him. Told him personally he has to serve me.
"I might tip him if he's good."
Even after Monday's dinner, however, Crawford feels the Hoosiers will stay hungry.
"Really, we're hungry, because of last season," Crawford said of the 5-7 campaign. "It didn't pan out how we wanted it to. You can see it in Coach Allen's face. He's just always hungry. He wants it more."
SPRING AWARDS
Crawford was one of four "L.E.O" award-winners selected for the spring, exemplifying Allen's "Love Each Other" philosophy foundational to the football program, joining linebacker Michael McGinnis, defensive back Jonah Morris and receiver Chris Gajcak.
Fifth-year senior guard Wes Martin and redshirt junior linebacker Reakwon Jones each earned a pair of major awards.
Jones was named the spring's Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and also took the Strength and Conditioning Award among the defenders. Martin won both the corresponding awards for the offensive side of the ball.
Redshirt sophomore running back Cole Gest was named Most Improved Offensive Player and redshirt junior defensive lineman Gavin Everett was picked as Most Improved Defensive Player.
Allen, asked who else caught his eye this spring, tossed out some names off the top of his head.
"(Redshirt junior Husky) Isaac James had a great spring," Allen said. "He's shown some real promise there and the depth is growing. You look at a guy like Juwan Burgess, I thought he flashed today. He's a gifted, gifted player, but he's young, and he missed the whole season. Same thing with Bryant Fitzgerald. Those guys are special players.
"(True freshman defensive end) James Head would be one that I feel like that really kind of jumped out to me. (Redshirt freshman running back) Ahrod Lloyd, I'm going to keep mentioning him. I know he's a walk-on that no one really knew much about, but you saw him even today making plays. That young man is going to help this program because he's quick, he's tough, he's strong and he's fast, and so to me, that's pretty good qualities to have, and he cares a whole bunch, and I'm really excited about him.
"I think a guy like (redshirt freshman) Britt Beery is developing. He's a young offensive lineman, and he came here as a D-lineman, moved him to offense, and he's continued to grow. Even though Whop (Philyor) played last year, Whop is a different kid. He's quicker. He's got a burst to him that he didn't have last year. We've kept track of his development, and he's putting himself in position to be -- he needs to be an absolute game changer for us when he touches the ball.
"I've been impressed with Mike Penix. I've been impressed with Peyton Ramsey. Today I felt like -- he's a winner. The kid is a winner, and he's tough, and he cares. Here's what I tell our football team: I want guys that I can trust. I want guys that are tough. I want guys that are dependable. And that to me defines Peyton Ramsey, and that's a young man that's going to help this football team win a bunch of games. Whatever that role may be, he may be the starter, and I know that's what he wants, but the bottom line is he has all those intangibles that you want in a young man.
"And also, I would say Mike McGinnis and Thomas Allen really improved a lot at the linebacker position, and that to me is a huge void for us in our defense. Reakwon Jones is a guy that really -- I know he won a couple awards for us for spring, but that was consensus by the staff and the way that he's played, and I could mention several others.
"I just think when you have such a young group of guys and so many new faces, we should be talking about somebody different every single week, and that's what I hope, that that's going to happen, and I just think that we've got to keep pushing each other."
THE ROAD AHEAD
Indiana football now looks ahead to a 12-week cycle of workouts, four weeks of which are discretionary for the players.
Allen feels for a youngish team that had 53 freshmen and sophomores listed on a spring roster of 93, the offseason is especially crucial.
"We've got a 12-week cycle next for our guys, and that's a big deal for us," Allen said. "Four of those 12 weeks are discretionary but the other eight are not, but those four discretionary weeks are critical, and guys understand that."
Penix, Head, receiver Jacolby Hewitt and running back Ronnie Walker Jr. were all January enrollees among the 2018 class of freshmen that will see 22 more of their classmates report in June.
Graduate transfer center Nick Linder, who will be eligible immediately next fall, and Georgia Tech transfer T.D. Roof, a sophomore linebacker who will have to sit out next fall, also enrolled in January (though Linder missed most of spring practice due to injury).
The Hoosiers seemed to make it out of the spring with no injuries that would prevent any players from missing the 2018 season, which commences Sept. 1 at Florida International. The Hoosier home opener is Sept. 8 against Virginia and IU will host seven games overall.?
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Peyton Ramsey rolled around right end and set sail.
And he covered 53 yards in a flash for the first touchdown of Saturday's Cream & Crimson Game that concluded Indiana's spring football practices.
Ramsey's Crimson squad ultimately prevailed, 37-28, with most of the scoring coming from orchestrated kicking segments (as redshirt sophomore Jared Smolar connected on field goals from 40 and 30 yards away to help the Crimson cause during the official game segment).
But that TD dash on the day's first series seemed to set a general tone.
This team, including redshirt sophomore quarterback Ramsey, looks faster.
Dr. Matt Rhea, assisting new director of athletic performance David Ballou specifically to boost Hoosier speed, tweeted this about Ramsey's run:
"I'm calling it right now … 21 mph on that 50-yard TD run."
IU head coach Tom Allen put it this way post-game:
"Sometimes when you see them all the time, you don't quite have a perception of it … but every time that someone comes and watches us that hasn't seen us for a while, they'll comment about the way our team looks and how well we move.
"So obviously part of that's recruiting, but a big part of that with the guys that are here is our strength staff … when you believe in the people that are coaching you and leading you like our guys do, it really increases the effort. Just the amount of focus you bring to each workout. Because they really believe in their hearts if they do everything they're asked to do, they're going to get bigger, stronger and faster."
Redshirt sophomore husky Marcelino Ball, who missed nine games due to injury last fall but was back in the mix this spring, noticed effects stemming from the work of Ballou and Rhea – whom he feels are earning their salaries.
"He is good, man," Ball said of Ballou. "He is good. I'm not going to tell my weight, but I'm sitting at a good weight and I'm feeling really fast. Feeling good. Everybody is feeling good.
"I see even the linemen, D-linemen. They look like skill players. So, we're feeling good in the weight room. Ballou and Coach Rhea, they are doing their thing. They are getting their checks."
Michael Penix Jr., the true freshman who enrolled in January and provided Ramsey his primary competition for quarterback repetitions this spring, also noted a difference at this level of conditioning.
"We've all been working," said Penix, who is also fleet afoot. "Every day, we're always going hard. Thanks to Coach Ballou, everybody is getting stronger, faster. As a team, we've been improving. Can't wait to see what's going to happen next fall."
QB OR NOT QB?
Ramsey and Penix seemed poised to continue a spirited but collaborative competition for the starting quarterback job this summer and in fall camp, but they'll soon be joined by Arizona graduate transfer Brandon Dawkins.
Ramsey, who completed 65 percent of his passes and started four games last fall before injury intervened, appreciates how Penix has already pushed things to another level and trusts Dawkins will do the same.
"I think when you have talent in the room and other guys that are going to push you, it's helpful for everybody," Ramsey, who started four games last fall and completed 65 percent of his passes before injury intervened. "It's helpful not only for me, but I think it's helpful for the rest of the offense and the rest of the team because there are guys that are going to continue to push and continue to make the entire offense better."
Ramsey, unofficially, completed 5-of-8 throws for 30 yards in very limited action Saturday. The game was confined to two quarters, and most of the points came from prescribed field goal attempts.
Penix, unofficially, was 4-of-11 for 56 yards.
All of the QBs played without the services of potential starters at wide receiver such as Nick Westbrook and Donavan Hale, held out of contact this spring as they rehabilitate injuries.
But Ramsey noted that meant more reps out wide for proven slot receivers such as Luke Timian and Whop Philyor, and a lot more reps for younger receivers.
"As much as I would've liked those two guys (Westbrook and Hale) out there working on our timing," Ramsey said. "I think it was big for Luke and Whop and younger guys like David Felton, Jacolby Hewitt and Chris Gajcak out there just getting reps and getting the opportunity to go out and compete against our top guys.
"I think it was beneficial for them and both of us (quarterbacks), just getting the timing down with those guys. (Philyor and Timian) are just really good at getting open. They just understand defenses and they understand where the soft spots are going to be. As a quarterback, it's extremely helpful when you know they're going to find soft spots, they're going to find holes in the defense. It's really helpful for quarterbacks."
Penix felt sharing a quarterback room with coach Nick Sheridan, Ramsey and others was helpful after his arrival from Tampa Bay Tech High School for the start of spring semester.
"When I came in, coach told me what I had to do: 'If you're trying to get on the field, you got to learn the plays.' The quarterback has to know what he's doing.
"…It started in the quarterback room. We always got up and did signals, teaching each other, quizzing each other. (Sheridan) gave us quizzes. Then I had time late at night after everything was over. I'd be in my room just studying as much as I can.
"I feel like I did pretty well. There's always room for improvement. Coach, when in the coaching room, he always says the biggest room is the room for improvement."
What has already improved for Penix is his ability to handle the pace of the college game, amidst an IU team that looked faster this spring.
"The biggest thing is probably just the speed of the game," Penix said. "Everything is quicker, but once you get the plays down you just trust your abilities. Everything slows down. I feel like everything is slowing down now. With school, you just got to stay on top of your work. It's time management.
"I feel like I'm a lot more composed as a quarterback. Coach Sheridan has been working with me every day, along with the rest of the quarterbacks."
Penix, like Ramsey, is looking forward to learning alongside and from Dawkins, who has already started 14 games for a Power 5 football team. And, like Ramsey, he's not about to concede the starting job.
"I think it's just another person I'm competing with," Penix said of Dawkins. "We need a player on the roster that has a full scholarship (and experience). We got him and it's going to be a good competition. We're going to be fighting for that spot.
"From him, with him starting in college, (it'll be) just learning the mentality of the quarterback position and how he sees things. He's going to come in and we're all going to work together, because in the quarterback room we're all close. We help each other out. We never downgrade anybody. We're always pushing each other, so when he comes in it's just going to be more pushing, more competition."
DANCING. BALL. A NATURAL COMBO.
While quarterbacks were off-limits concerning contact Saturday, Ball posted a "tackle for loss" on a Penix keeper early on and showcased some snazzy dance moves in celebration.
Later, after speaking with the media, Ball joined some kids – who were among the many family members viewing the game – for some dance instruction, showing them some more nifty moves.
Ball is just happy to be able to again show his considerable moves on the field after earning a medical redshirt last fall.
"I've felt pretty good," said Ball, who was out of action for months and had to shake off some rust this spring. "There have been ups and downs as far as good days and bad days. I think the good have outnumbered the bad.
"There have been things that changed since I was in there, and it's about six months since I played. So, the first week or two it was kind of like, 'Dang, I forgot how to play.'"
Ball and the other Husky backs, who formerly congregated with defensive backs, are now congregating with colleagues in coach Kane Wommack's linebacker room. Ball relishes the change as helping him learn the total defense better.
"As far as being away from the DBs, I just have a different perspective that I like" he said, "because we talk about the D-line's objectives and the linebackers' objectives and I already know what the DBs are doing, because I was in that room for two years.
"Now I'm getting the linebacker and D-line perspective, so now, sometimes, I know when to push the buttons on coverages on stuff like that."
Ball earned some 2016 Freshman All-American honors and returns as a key leader for IU's defense but, having missed some time, is letting his play do most of the talking for now.
"I try to lead by making plays," he said. "I'm trying to be quieter than I was, because I feel that if you make plays, show effort and stuff like that, your players will follow you. And then you can probably speak more.
"Right now, as I said, I'm coming back from six months (off). So, I'm still trying to get in my groove. In my shoes, I feel I can't really speak right now as a leader, like Jon (Crawford) and Reakwon (Jones) and others, guys who have been in there every day showing and making plays out there. So I'm just to stay in my zone."
The last time Ball played a full season, IU played in its second straight bowl game. He was asked Saturday how important it was for the Hoosiers to regain bowl eligibility in 2018.
"Bowl game?" Ball responded, some incredulity in his voice. "We're trying to get more than a bowl game, man. That's everybody's objective, why you play football – to win. To win, win, win. But it takes work.
"I'm not a fortune-teller. We'll see how it comes out."
STEAK WILL BE SERVED
Even with Ball in the linebacker room, senior safety Jon Crawford feels Ball's return further bolsters what is shaping up as an experienced and capable IU secondary.
"Keeps the back end stronger," Crawford said of Ball being back on the field. "Last year, when he was hurt, we had to move people around and do things differently. Since he's back, we're solid in the back end."
Crawford includes redshirt freshman safeties Juwan Burgess and Bryant Fitzgerald in that assessment.
"Started out slow but, 15 practices in, they've got their confidence," Crawford said of Burgess and Fitzgerald. "They want to be great. They really do. You can really see it.
"They put in extra work, especially in the film room, and on the field, too. Just seeing them progress over time has really been good."
Speaking of good, as a member of the victorious team Saturday, Crawford is looking forward to a steak dinner Monday, served by the losing side. And he has requested a specific server.
"Reakwon Jones," said Crawford, who likes his steaks medium. "I've already told him. Told him personally he has to serve me.
"I might tip him if he's good."
Even after Monday's dinner, however, Crawford feels the Hoosiers will stay hungry.
"Really, we're hungry, because of last season," Crawford said of the 5-7 campaign. "It didn't pan out how we wanted it to. You can see it in Coach Allen's face. He's just always hungry. He wants it more."
SPRING AWARDS
Crawford was one of four "L.E.O" award-winners selected for the spring, exemplifying Allen's "Love Each Other" philosophy foundational to the football program, joining linebacker Michael McGinnis, defensive back Jonah Morris and receiver Chris Gajcak.
Fifth-year senior guard Wes Martin and redshirt junior linebacker Reakwon Jones each earned a pair of major awards.
Jones was named the spring's Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and also took the Strength and Conditioning Award among the defenders. Martin won both the corresponding awards for the offensive side of the ball.
Redshirt sophomore running back Cole Gest was named Most Improved Offensive Player and redshirt junior defensive lineman Gavin Everett was picked as Most Improved Defensive Player.
Allen, asked who else caught his eye this spring, tossed out some names off the top of his head.
"(Redshirt junior Husky) Isaac James had a great spring," Allen said. "He's shown some real promise there and the depth is growing. You look at a guy like Juwan Burgess, I thought he flashed today. He's a gifted, gifted player, but he's young, and he missed the whole season. Same thing with Bryant Fitzgerald. Those guys are special players.
"(True freshman defensive end) James Head would be one that I feel like that really kind of jumped out to me. (Redshirt freshman running back) Ahrod Lloyd, I'm going to keep mentioning him. I know he's a walk-on that no one really knew much about, but you saw him even today making plays. That young man is going to help this program because he's quick, he's tough, he's strong and he's fast, and so to me, that's pretty good qualities to have, and he cares a whole bunch, and I'm really excited about him.
"I think a guy like (redshirt freshman) Britt Beery is developing. He's a young offensive lineman, and he came here as a D-lineman, moved him to offense, and he's continued to grow. Even though Whop (Philyor) played last year, Whop is a different kid. He's quicker. He's got a burst to him that he didn't have last year. We've kept track of his development, and he's putting himself in position to be -- he needs to be an absolute game changer for us when he touches the ball.
"I've been impressed with Mike Penix. I've been impressed with Peyton Ramsey. Today I felt like -- he's a winner. The kid is a winner, and he's tough, and he cares. Here's what I tell our football team: I want guys that I can trust. I want guys that are tough. I want guys that are dependable. And that to me defines Peyton Ramsey, and that's a young man that's going to help this football team win a bunch of games. Whatever that role may be, he may be the starter, and I know that's what he wants, but the bottom line is he has all those intangibles that you want in a young man.
"And also, I would say Mike McGinnis and Thomas Allen really improved a lot at the linebacker position, and that to me is a huge void for us in our defense. Reakwon Jones is a guy that really -- I know he won a couple awards for us for spring, but that was consensus by the staff and the way that he's played, and I could mention several others.
"I just think when you have such a young group of guys and so many new faces, we should be talking about somebody different every single week, and that's what I hope, that that's going to happen, and I just think that we've got to keep pushing each other."
THE ROAD AHEAD
Indiana football now looks ahead to a 12-week cycle of workouts, four weeks of which are discretionary for the players.
Allen feels for a youngish team that had 53 freshmen and sophomores listed on a spring roster of 93, the offseason is especially crucial.
"We've got a 12-week cycle next for our guys, and that's a big deal for us," Allen said. "Four of those 12 weeks are discretionary but the other eight are not, but those four discretionary weeks are critical, and guys understand that."
Penix, Head, receiver Jacolby Hewitt and running back Ronnie Walker Jr. were all January enrollees among the 2018 class of freshmen that will see 22 more of their classmates report in June.
Graduate transfer center Nick Linder, who will be eligible immediately next fall, and Georgia Tech transfer T.D. Roof, a sophomore linebacker who will have to sit out next fall, also enrolled in January (though Linder missed most of spring practice due to injury).
The Hoosiers seemed to make it out of the spring with no injuries that would prevent any players from missing the 2018 season, which commences Sept. 1 at Florida International. The Hoosier home opener is Sept. 8 against Virginia and IU will host seven games overall.?
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