Indiana University Athletics
Q&A With Ryan Skelton
8/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2005
Junior wide receiver Ryan Skelton talks about his transition from defense (safety) to offense after Friday's preseason practice. Friday's installment of preseason training was the first day the Hoosiers sported full gear, and ended the session with a minimal contact scrimmage.
Junior Wide Receiver Ryan Skelton
Talk about implementing the change on the field from defense to offense:
RS: "Moving from defense to offense has not been too much of a change, but it's been fun being able to finally get out there and make some plays. The new position is a little different as far as footwork is concerned. I was used to back peddling a lot and now I don't have to worry about that anymore. Other than having to learn and practice my new routes, it's the same game and you just go out there and make some plays."
Does being a junior and having experience in the collegiate arena make it easier to make a positional change?
RS: "It definitely makes a difference. When you are coming from high school, it is a big change in the speed and tempo of the game. It's hard to adjust to collegiate football in general. Being a junior and having two years of experience makes everything just come a little more naturally, and the transition is a lot smoother."
Does the position change come easier with there being a new group of coaches?
RS: "It helps because I am learning with other people, and I am not that far behind. Overall, it has been nice to have different scenery changing over to offense."
A lot of people talk about the on-field separation and competition between the offense and defense. How does it feel to be on, what used to be, the competition's side now?
RS: "Well, off the field, we all get along and are a close-knit team. Once you step on the field, there is a real rivalry between the two units because you want to dominate from your end of the game. The switch is not that bad, because off the field we are all so close."
During practice, you are forced to work against your own defense and vice-a-versa. How excited are you to finally be able to enter that field and stare down another color jersey and opponent?
RS: "That is one of the annoying things when you are in practice, practicing against your counterpart. It still is a positive thing in practice when one side does something well. It doesn't always mean the other side did something wrong. It just means you made a good play, whether it is on offense or defense. In the end, that is a real good step in the right direction for the team as whole. It does seem like we have been practicing against these guys for a while, and I am just ready to enter that field against Central Michigan and get the year started right."
