Indiana University Athletics
Graham Notebook: Willis Excited to Continue Changing Culture
6/13/2018 5:03:00 PM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana football has to replace eight starters on defense heading into 2018.
And no particular unit is more profoundly affected than the linebackers. Both starters last fall, Chris Covington and All-American Tegray Scales, are currently in NFL camps.
That is why IU head coach Tom Allen was especially gratified to see a certain number pop up on his cell phone a month ago.
Dameon Willis Jr. was calling.
"I graduated May 5 and it was about a week after that," Willis recalled Tuesday about the call he placed to Allen. "He knew. There wasn't much else to talk about. He knew, when he saw that number pop up, what it was about."
Allen knew that Willis was coming back.
Willis had gone through Senior Day ceremonies last fall. His college career was considered over, though he had another year of athletic eligibility available. He stayed on course to get his degree in May. He didn't participate in spring practice.
But Willis – far more experienced than any of IU's present linebackers – has now returned to the Hoosier fold, full speed ahead.
"I always knew, in the back of my mind," Willis said of his rekindled desire to play his final season in Bloomington. "I had to finalize some things first. I wanted to first get my degree. That was No. 1, the most important thing for me. After that (I wanted) no regrets."
Willis, as a fifth-year senior, feels there is unfinished business to which he must attend on behalf of fellow members of IU's 2014 recruiting class who have now moved on. And of his current teammates.
"Those guys such as Tegray (Scales), CC (Covington), we had a goal of changing the culture here, and I think this year, this is the turning year," Willis said. "I want to be part of that.
"I'm one of the last Mohicans with a chance to do that. Thinking of those guys, it's a goal we set from the beginning and that we have to carry out … just making that happen. Just simply after graduation, finishing one goal and having the opportunity to settle in and really just focus on the next goal. Not leaving having any regrets. Really just continuing to understand this culture (change) that started back in '14."
Since redshirting that 2014 season, Willis appeared in every game the Hoosiers played in both 2015 and 2016, closing that latter campaign with a pair of four-tackle games in a win against Purdue and against Utah in the Foster Farms Bowl (his first career start).
Injuries helped limit Willis to 10 of IU's 12 games last fall as a primary backup, but he still finished seventh on the team in tackles with a career-high 27. And he now ranks as the Hoosiers' third-leading returning tackler.
"He was kind of beat up and now he's had some time to heal, he's going to be back with us," Allen said of Willis when announcing the news to the media at IU's annual Huber Orchard & Winery event. "I think that's huge. He was our most experienced linebacker coming back.
"We just had some good heart-to-hearts. And I'm just really excited about having him back with us. He'll be joining us for our workouts here in June, and he's anxious to get back at it. His body is healed up and I think he's going to be a big part of our future."
Cleveland native Willis said he hoped to lend, in the immediate future: "Camaraderie. Sense of leadership. Sense of urgency."
And another quality characterized by Willis fist-bumping every member of the media present Tuesday, both on the way in and on the way out of the interview room.
"Oh, yeah, a whole lot of enthusiasm," Willis said. "You've got to have enthusiasm with this group. We're young, but we have a lot of energy. Showing those guys that anything is easier with a little bit of enthusiasm, definitely (having) enthusiasm day in and day out. I'm yelling all day, shouting stuff. They probably look at me as a wild man, but they'll see the finished product at the end.
"We're very young, but we're very eager. Mike McGinnis, Jr., Thomas Allen, Reakwon Jones, Mo Burnam — plenty of guys that are going to contribute. And as a guy that's going to play the bridge to help those guys with how we play linebacker here, it's important for me to bring those guys along, with urgency."
Willis didn't downplay the exit of Scales and Covington, who took 463 career tackles with them. But Willis thinks the current linebacking crew – now augmented by true freshmen Aaron Casey, Cam Jones, Micah McFadden and James Miller – has plenty of ability.
"As talented as any group," Willis said of the 2018 linebacking corps. "Time will tell. Energy, effort – with youth, it's there, always. I'm very optimistic about it.
"You're as strong as your weakest link. For freshmen, young guys, it's important that they understand that, and leading those guys is the main factor. It's the most important thing. So as the leader of the group, it's my job to make sure everyone is ready. If it's not, then I'll take that (criticism)."
Willis has no qualms about having missed spring practice, or about having a new linebackers coach in Kane Wommack. In fact, he considers Wommack's background experience with Allen's preferred 4-2-5 scheme an asset.
"Ball is ball, baby," Willis said with a smile. "It's awesome Coach Allen was able to add Coach Wommack to the group … he already understands and knows what to do. His coming has made it a little bit easier, really. It's more 'see ball, hit ball,' defense."
And Willis, who looked trim and chiseled, isn't worried about his physical readiness to resume full-time football work, either. He plans to play at around 225 or 230 pounds this fall. He said that, with his athletic background, he'd had no inclination "to become a couch potato" and that he'd benefited from his diet regimen.
"Changing my diet was a big thing," he said. "Cutting out all beef, just chicken and fish, just rolling that way. Getting more energized and everything, I haven't missed a beat really."
And he feels he'll be better than ever, physically, under the ministrations of new director of athletic performance David Ballou and speed specialist Dr. Matt Rhea.
"Oh, man, those guys are awesome," Willis said, his face lighting up. "Coach Ballou and his staff, Coach Rhea, these guys are legit. And I love it. Because it's hard work, but it's good work. And what I mean by good work is that you're working every muscle.
"I just found out from Coach Rhea that I ran 20 miles per hour. So you start to see some differences quickly. If you trust in these guys …
"We all trust each other and understand we have each other's best interest in mind. We're ready to roll."
Dameon Willis is back.
Fully intending to take care of business left undone.
FIRST. NOT THE LAST. AND FAST.
Lowell safety Jordan Jusevitch supplied the first verbal commitment to Indiana's 2018 recruiting class and now relishes being part of a 26-man freshman contingent ranked 45th nationally by Rivals, the highest rating since the 2014 group that included Willis.
"It's pretty special, just having the opportunity to say that I was the first commit to a Big Ten program," Jusevitch said Tuesday. "And this recruiting class that we've (built) all year and that we came into IU with, it's pretty big and one of the best recruiting classes that we've had in a while."
Jusevitch, one of three Indiana Mr. Football finalists and Lowell's career record holder with 18 interceptions and 416 tackles, did his level best to help build that class behind the scenes.
"If I saw someone got an offer, I'd be 'DMing' (direct-messaging) them right away, saying, 'Come join me,' " Jusevitch recalled. "Definitely a lot of special players here, now, with us. Just did everything I could to recruit and have players want to come here.
"For a while, it was just me. Then we had Elijah (Rodgers). Then Cam (Jones) committed … and it went on from there. They're great guys and they're fun to be around. I'm pretty excited for this."
A common denominator for much of the class is speed. Freshman offensive lineman Nick Marozas noted that classmate Jaylin Williams, slated for defensive back, is "already the fastest guy on the team. He's at 23.5 miles per hour."
Jusevitch elaborated: "Definitely. There are some fast kids here. And that's something I want to work on, getting my speed faster. But we're a fast group, and that's what you need in the Big Ten."
And liable to get faster, given the workouts orchestrated by IU's athletic performance staff.
"Those are smart dudes," Jusevitch said with a smile of conditioning gurus David Ballou and Matt Rhea. "They're crazy. They know what they're doing. They expect the best out of you. It's not a joke around here.
"It's the best weight room coaches I've ever even seen. Dr. Rhea's got all this scientific stuff. It's unreal. I'm pretty excited just to see my abilities changing, (my) getting faster. It's pretty special here."
Miles Marshall, a swift 6-foot-4 receiver who caught 73 passes for 1,118 yards and 15 TDs for Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview last fall, sees the workouts providing on-field benefits.
"I haven't been to any other college, but I think it's different from other people," Marshall said. "They're really focusing on what's going to transfer to the field. And I like that a lot."
CHICAGO SOLDIERS AFIELD
When offensive lineman Nick Marozas lined up for his first play from scrimmage as a Brother Rice varsity starter in 2016, he looked across the line of scrimmage and saw Marist defensive lineman Gavin McCabe.
In Soldier Field. Where the Bears play.
"It's one of the biggest rivalries in the Chicago area," Marozas said. "The schools are only about 10 blocks from each other. There were about 10,000 people at the game (last fall, back at a prep venue). It was packed. Rice-Marist is always fun.
"First game of the year, my junior and senior years, I went against Gavin."
By that senior year matchup, both knew they were headed to IU. Both will likely continue to face off in practice, but are happy they are now ultimately on the same side.
"We live probably a mile or two miles from each other," McCabe said. "Our grammar schools were in the same conference. We've known each other forever, playing basketball …
"In high school, it's been good. We became super close, once the recruiting process started. He's been one of my best friends. Having him here, and (IU freshman tight end) TJ Ivy, who went to Marist with me, it's been good. It's a good group of guys."
And Marozas, McCabe said, is a good player.
"Nick's a great player," McCabe said. "He plays hard. He watches film. He doesn't stop. He doesn't make friends on the football field. He's a hard player. And I know that's what Coach (Darren) Hiller looks for.
"First play of my first game of the year, he got me. He's got such long arms and he just controlled me. And I thought, 'This is going to be a good match-up now.' "
The two Chicagoans split their varsity matchups 1-1, though Marozas is quick to note Rice holds a 2-1 split counting their freshman year. But Marozas shares mutual respect for McCabe's abilities.
"He's definitely a great player," Marozas said of McCabe. "Very strong. Really good with his hands. Quick off the ball, as well. So it was definitely a challenge going against him."
Marozas, already close with McCabe, expects he'll get close quickly with all his teammates amidst what he calls "the family aspect" of IU's program.
"When you get on campus, there is something different here than at any other school," Marozas said. "I just went, 'Wow. This place is amazing.' And then I got to meet the coaches and the players and it just reinforced everything.
"My first time ever coming here, I was just sitting there. I didn't know anyone and was just sitting on the field and, in the middle of practice, all the O-linemen came up and introduced themselves to me. So I was, like,
'Wow, that's pretty cool.' And then they ate dinner with me and I could tell it was a good group."
And another characteristic of the current freshman class, and classes before them, is that they tend to hail from good high school programs.
McCabe and Ivy helped Marist to an unbeaten regular-season in 2017. Marozas' Brother Rice team averaged 47.2 points per game. Hinsdale, in Chicago's west suburbs and where IU freshman tight end Matt
Bjorson played, had an unbeaten regular season in 2016.
"I think it is something Coach Allen and his staff look at (during recruiting)," McCabe said. "You want to be part of a winning program, and that's something I was a part of in high school, and I don't want to change.
"I know that is what Coach Allen is striving for and I want to be part of that team that gets there. I was there in high school and want to continue being there the next four years."
PLANT-ING THE IU FLAG IN TAMPA
When college coaches garner recruits from a particular area, they sometimes utilize the phrase "planting the flag." That alludes to staking their program's claim as a valid option for players in that region.
Consider Indiana's flag well and truly planted at Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., and the Tampa Bay area, generally.
Freshman linebacker Micah McFadden is joining fellow Plant alumni Whop Philyor, Juwan Burgess and Thomas Allen on the IU roster.
"When they all decided to come here, I thought, 'Wow, that's pretty cool, that they all are going to be playing together, in one place.' " McFadden said of his Plant predecessors. "But I never truly thought that I'd end up here.
"I got the offer later. Once it came, I said, 'Hmmm, maybe I'll see how this goes and what other offers I get.' But seeing all of them succeed at this level … it's just an exciting feeling seeing that. It's like, 'It can be done, that transition from high school to college.'"
Getting feedback from former prep teammates has helped McFadden come in more assured.
"People, sometimes, want to hype it up in your head," McFadden said of the transition. "But they're really good at toning that down and helping me relax. Especially as a freshman, a newcomer, you're anxious about everything. But when you have people you know and trust and can talk with, it helps."
McFadden already knows several Hoosiers beyond those from Plant, too. Tampa Bay Tech sent IU freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and freshman defensive lineman Jonathan King. And McFadden already knows all about fellow freshman linebacker James Miller from Brandon (Fla.) Armwood.
"Just in the Tampa area, there are some really good teams," McFadden said. "James Miller is from our rival high school, a really good team that we played.
"He's kind of the life of the party, bringing that everywhere he goes. He's a talkative guy. It's cool that he doesn't come in all inside himself. He's not the class clown, but a guy everybody can talk to.
"And he's a big hitter. Playing against him is tough. He's obviously a big guy, with a good 6-2 frame, but he can also really run. He can move. And he's got the mental aspect. He's properly hostile."
McFadden knows he, Miller and the others have a lot of work to do before they see the field.
"You think you're starting to get it, then realize you're only at the tip of the iceberg," McFadden said of gaining familiarity with college football and IU's approach. "It's kind of exciting to feel that way, to go, 'Wow, there is so much more to learn.' You're so new to it, and that's kind of exciting."
MAY FLOWERS?
As the eight Floridians in Indiana's freshman class acclimate, along with graduate transfer Nick Linder from Miami (Fla.), the local climactic conditions seem conducive.
Bloomington just experienced its hottest May on record, and June seems to be heading in the same direction.
"Jacksonville, Florida, is always hot and humid," freshman defensive back Devon Matthews said Tuesday. "So I'm kind of used to this, here. I'm going to have to get used to the cold weather."
Matthews picked up the nickname "Monster" in the eighth grade, having removed an opposing quarterback's headgear during a sack. He will likely play either free safety or the "Husky" rover position at IU.
As such, he's already taking notes from fellow Floridian and senior safety Jonathan Crawford.
"Jonathan Crawford is the leader of the defense, so I've talked to him," Matthews said. "I've asked him what the keys to the defense are and he helps me out. Most of the DBs have helped me out."
Asked what he wanted to work on most, Matthews replied, "Everything, really. To get bigger, faster, stronger. Know my playbook. Have to do that to get on the field. If you don't know the playbook, you can't play."
Pretty much all of IU's Floridians can and do play.
"You know, we're a different breed in Florida," Matthews said. "But in college, everybody is good. If you make it to D1, everybody's good. You've just got to play up to it."
Whether it's hot or cold.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana football has to replace eight starters on defense heading into 2018.
And no particular unit is more profoundly affected than the linebackers. Both starters last fall, Chris Covington and All-American Tegray Scales, are currently in NFL camps.
That is why IU head coach Tom Allen was especially gratified to see a certain number pop up on his cell phone a month ago.
Dameon Willis Jr. was calling.
"I graduated May 5 and it was about a week after that," Willis recalled Tuesday about the call he placed to Allen. "He knew. There wasn't much else to talk about. He knew, when he saw that number pop up, what it was about."
Allen knew that Willis was coming back.
Willis had gone through Senior Day ceremonies last fall. His college career was considered over, though he had another year of athletic eligibility available. He stayed on course to get his degree in May. He didn't participate in spring practice.
But Willis – far more experienced than any of IU's present linebackers – has now returned to the Hoosier fold, full speed ahead.
"I always knew, in the back of my mind," Willis said of his rekindled desire to play his final season in Bloomington. "I had to finalize some things first. I wanted to first get my degree. That was No. 1, the most important thing for me. After that (I wanted) no regrets."
Willis, as a fifth-year senior, feels there is unfinished business to which he must attend on behalf of fellow members of IU's 2014 recruiting class who have now moved on. And of his current teammates.
"Those guys such as Tegray (Scales), CC (Covington), we had a goal of changing the culture here, and I think this year, this is the turning year," Willis said. "I want to be part of that.
"I'm one of the last Mohicans with a chance to do that. Thinking of those guys, it's a goal we set from the beginning and that we have to carry out … just making that happen. Just simply after graduation, finishing one goal and having the opportunity to settle in and really just focus on the next goal. Not leaving having any regrets. Really just continuing to understand this culture (change) that started back in '14."
Since redshirting that 2014 season, Willis appeared in every game the Hoosiers played in both 2015 and 2016, closing that latter campaign with a pair of four-tackle games in a win against Purdue and against Utah in the Foster Farms Bowl (his first career start).
Injuries helped limit Willis to 10 of IU's 12 games last fall as a primary backup, but he still finished seventh on the team in tackles with a career-high 27. And he now ranks as the Hoosiers' third-leading returning tackler.
"He was kind of beat up and now he's had some time to heal, he's going to be back with us," Allen said of Willis when announcing the news to the media at IU's annual Huber Orchard & Winery event. "I think that's huge. He was our most experienced linebacker coming back.
"We just had some good heart-to-hearts. And I'm just really excited about having him back with us. He'll be joining us for our workouts here in June, and he's anxious to get back at it. His body is healed up and I think he's going to be a big part of our future."
Cleveland native Willis said he hoped to lend, in the immediate future: "Camaraderie. Sense of leadership. Sense of urgency."
And another quality characterized by Willis fist-bumping every member of the media present Tuesday, both on the way in and on the way out of the interview room.
"Oh, yeah, a whole lot of enthusiasm," Willis said. "You've got to have enthusiasm with this group. We're young, but we have a lot of energy. Showing those guys that anything is easier with a little bit of enthusiasm, definitely (having) enthusiasm day in and day out. I'm yelling all day, shouting stuff. They probably look at me as a wild man, but they'll see the finished product at the end.
"We're very young, but we're very eager. Mike McGinnis, Jr., Thomas Allen, Reakwon Jones, Mo Burnam — plenty of guys that are going to contribute. And as a guy that's going to play the bridge to help those guys with how we play linebacker here, it's important for me to bring those guys along, with urgency."
Willis didn't downplay the exit of Scales and Covington, who took 463 career tackles with them. But Willis thinks the current linebacking crew – now augmented by true freshmen Aaron Casey, Cam Jones, Micah McFadden and James Miller – has plenty of ability.
"As talented as any group," Willis said of the 2018 linebacking corps. "Time will tell. Energy, effort – with youth, it's there, always. I'm very optimistic about it.
"You're as strong as your weakest link. For freshmen, young guys, it's important that they understand that, and leading those guys is the main factor. It's the most important thing. So as the leader of the group, it's my job to make sure everyone is ready. If it's not, then I'll take that (criticism)."
Willis has no qualms about having missed spring practice, or about having a new linebackers coach in Kane Wommack. In fact, he considers Wommack's background experience with Allen's preferred 4-2-5 scheme an asset.
"Ball is ball, baby," Willis said with a smile. "It's awesome Coach Allen was able to add Coach Wommack to the group … he already understands and knows what to do. His coming has made it a little bit easier, really. It's more 'see ball, hit ball,' defense."
And Willis, who looked trim and chiseled, isn't worried about his physical readiness to resume full-time football work, either. He plans to play at around 225 or 230 pounds this fall. He said that, with his athletic background, he'd had no inclination "to become a couch potato" and that he'd benefited from his diet regimen.
"Changing my diet was a big thing," he said. "Cutting out all beef, just chicken and fish, just rolling that way. Getting more energized and everything, I haven't missed a beat really."
And he feels he'll be better than ever, physically, under the ministrations of new director of athletic performance David Ballou and speed specialist Dr. Matt Rhea.
"Oh, man, those guys are awesome," Willis said, his face lighting up. "Coach Ballou and his staff, Coach Rhea, these guys are legit. And I love it. Because it's hard work, but it's good work. And what I mean by good work is that you're working every muscle.
"I just found out from Coach Rhea that I ran 20 miles per hour. So you start to see some differences quickly. If you trust in these guys …
"We all trust each other and understand we have each other's best interest in mind. We're ready to roll."
Dameon Willis is back.
Fully intending to take care of business left undone.
FIRST. NOT THE LAST. AND FAST.
Lowell safety Jordan Jusevitch supplied the first verbal commitment to Indiana's 2018 recruiting class and now relishes being part of a 26-man freshman contingent ranked 45th nationally by Rivals, the highest rating since the 2014 group that included Willis.
"It's pretty special, just having the opportunity to say that I was the first commit to a Big Ten program," Jusevitch said Tuesday. "And this recruiting class that we've (built) all year and that we came into IU with, it's pretty big and one of the best recruiting classes that we've had in a while."
Jusevitch, one of three Indiana Mr. Football finalists and Lowell's career record holder with 18 interceptions and 416 tackles, did his level best to help build that class behind the scenes.
"If I saw someone got an offer, I'd be 'DMing' (direct-messaging) them right away, saying, 'Come join me,' " Jusevitch recalled. "Definitely a lot of special players here, now, with us. Just did everything I could to recruit and have players want to come here.
"For a while, it was just me. Then we had Elijah (Rodgers). Then Cam (Jones) committed … and it went on from there. They're great guys and they're fun to be around. I'm pretty excited for this."
A common denominator for much of the class is speed. Freshman offensive lineman Nick Marozas noted that classmate Jaylin Williams, slated for defensive back, is "already the fastest guy on the team. He's at 23.5 miles per hour."
Jusevitch elaborated: "Definitely. There are some fast kids here. And that's something I want to work on, getting my speed faster. But we're a fast group, and that's what you need in the Big Ten."
And liable to get faster, given the workouts orchestrated by IU's athletic performance staff.
"Those are smart dudes," Jusevitch said with a smile of conditioning gurus David Ballou and Matt Rhea. "They're crazy. They know what they're doing. They expect the best out of you. It's not a joke around here.
"It's the best weight room coaches I've ever even seen. Dr. Rhea's got all this scientific stuff. It's unreal. I'm pretty excited just to see my abilities changing, (my) getting faster. It's pretty special here."
Miles Marshall, a swift 6-foot-4 receiver who caught 73 passes for 1,118 yards and 15 TDs for Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview last fall, sees the workouts providing on-field benefits.
"I haven't been to any other college, but I think it's different from other people," Marshall said. "They're really focusing on what's going to transfer to the field. And I like that a lot."
CHICAGO SOLDIERS AFIELD
When offensive lineman Nick Marozas lined up for his first play from scrimmage as a Brother Rice varsity starter in 2016, he looked across the line of scrimmage and saw Marist defensive lineman Gavin McCabe.
In Soldier Field. Where the Bears play.
"It's one of the biggest rivalries in the Chicago area," Marozas said. "The schools are only about 10 blocks from each other. There were about 10,000 people at the game (last fall, back at a prep venue). It was packed. Rice-Marist is always fun.
"First game of the year, my junior and senior years, I went against Gavin."
By that senior year matchup, both knew they were headed to IU. Both will likely continue to face off in practice, but are happy they are now ultimately on the same side.
"We live probably a mile or two miles from each other," McCabe said. "Our grammar schools were in the same conference. We've known each other forever, playing basketball …
"In high school, it's been good. We became super close, once the recruiting process started. He's been one of my best friends. Having him here, and (IU freshman tight end) TJ Ivy, who went to Marist with me, it's been good. It's a good group of guys."
And Marozas, McCabe said, is a good player.
"Nick's a great player," McCabe said. "He plays hard. He watches film. He doesn't stop. He doesn't make friends on the football field. He's a hard player. And I know that's what Coach (Darren) Hiller looks for.
"First play of my first game of the year, he got me. He's got such long arms and he just controlled me. And I thought, 'This is going to be a good match-up now.' "
The two Chicagoans split their varsity matchups 1-1, though Marozas is quick to note Rice holds a 2-1 split counting their freshman year. But Marozas shares mutual respect for McCabe's abilities.
"He's definitely a great player," Marozas said of McCabe. "Very strong. Really good with his hands. Quick off the ball, as well. So it was definitely a challenge going against him."
Marozas, already close with McCabe, expects he'll get close quickly with all his teammates amidst what he calls "the family aspect" of IU's program.
"When you get on campus, there is something different here than at any other school," Marozas said. "I just went, 'Wow. This place is amazing.' And then I got to meet the coaches and the players and it just reinforced everything.
"My first time ever coming here, I was just sitting there. I didn't know anyone and was just sitting on the field and, in the middle of practice, all the O-linemen came up and introduced themselves to me. So I was, like,
'Wow, that's pretty cool.' And then they ate dinner with me and I could tell it was a good group."
And another characteristic of the current freshman class, and classes before them, is that they tend to hail from good high school programs.
McCabe and Ivy helped Marist to an unbeaten regular-season in 2017. Marozas' Brother Rice team averaged 47.2 points per game. Hinsdale, in Chicago's west suburbs and where IU freshman tight end Matt
Bjorson played, had an unbeaten regular season in 2016.
"I think it is something Coach Allen and his staff look at (during recruiting)," McCabe said. "You want to be part of a winning program, and that's something I was a part of in high school, and I don't want to change.
"I know that is what Coach Allen is striving for and I want to be part of that team that gets there. I was there in high school and want to continue being there the next four years."
PLANT-ING THE IU FLAG IN TAMPA
When college coaches garner recruits from a particular area, they sometimes utilize the phrase "planting the flag." That alludes to staking their program's claim as a valid option for players in that region.
Consider Indiana's flag well and truly planted at Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., and the Tampa Bay area, generally.
Freshman linebacker Micah McFadden is joining fellow Plant alumni Whop Philyor, Juwan Burgess and Thomas Allen on the IU roster.
"When they all decided to come here, I thought, 'Wow, that's pretty cool, that they all are going to be playing together, in one place.' " McFadden said of his Plant predecessors. "But I never truly thought that I'd end up here.
"I got the offer later. Once it came, I said, 'Hmmm, maybe I'll see how this goes and what other offers I get.' But seeing all of them succeed at this level … it's just an exciting feeling seeing that. It's like, 'It can be done, that transition from high school to college.'"
Getting feedback from former prep teammates has helped McFadden come in more assured.
"People, sometimes, want to hype it up in your head," McFadden said of the transition. "But they're really good at toning that down and helping me relax. Especially as a freshman, a newcomer, you're anxious about everything. But when you have people you know and trust and can talk with, it helps."
McFadden already knows several Hoosiers beyond those from Plant, too. Tampa Bay Tech sent IU freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and freshman defensive lineman Jonathan King. And McFadden already knows all about fellow freshman linebacker James Miller from Brandon (Fla.) Armwood.
"Just in the Tampa area, there are some really good teams," McFadden said. "James Miller is from our rival high school, a really good team that we played.
"He's kind of the life of the party, bringing that everywhere he goes. He's a talkative guy. It's cool that he doesn't come in all inside himself. He's not the class clown, but a guy everybody can talk to.
"And he's a big hitter. Playing against him is tough. He's obviously a big guy, with a good 6-2 frame, but he can also really run. He can move. And he's got the mental aspect. He's properly hostile."
McFadden knows he, Miller and the others have a lot of work to do before they see the field.
"You think you're starting to get it, then realize you're only at the tip of the iceberg," McFadden said of gaining familiarity with college football and IU's approach. "It's kind of exciting to feel that way, to go, 'Wow, there is so much more to learn.' You're so new to it, and that's kind of exciting."
MAY FLOWERS?
As the eight Floridians in Indiana's freshman class acclimate, along with graduate transfer Nick Linder from Miami (Fla.), the local climactic conditions seem conducive.
Bloomington just experienced its hottest May on record, and June seems to be heading in the same direction.
"Jacksonville, Florida, is always hot and humid," freshman defensive back Devon Matthews said Tuesday. "So I'm kind of used to this, here. I'm going to have to get used to the cold weather."
Matthews picked up the nickname "Monster" in the eighth grade, having removed an opposing quarterback's headgear during a sack. He will likely play either free safety or the "Husky" rover position at IU.
As such, he's already taking notes from fellow Floridian and senior safety Jonathan Crawford.
"Jonathan Crawford is the leader of the defense, so I've talked to him," Matthews said. "I've asked him what the keys to the defense are and he helps me out. Most of the DBs have helped me out."
Asked what he wanted to work on most, Matthews replied, "Everything, really. To get bigger, faster, stronger. Know my playbook. Have to do that to get on the field. If you don't know the playbook, you can't play."
Pretty much all of IU's Floridians can and do play.
"You know, we're a different breed in Florida," Matthews said. "But in college, everybody is good. If you make it to D1, everybody's good. You've just got to play up to it."
Whether it's hot or cold.
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