Indiana University Athletics
Getting Defensive
3/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 26, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Following the 2005 season, Indiana lost five of its starting defensive front seven to graduation. These departures create tremendous playing opportunities for some talented, young defensive players, and IU defensive co-coordinator/defensive line coach Brian George and linebackers coach George Ricumstrict will make sure that the youthful Hoosiers make the most of their chances.
"This is an important time for us, and we have done a good job to this point, learning everything that has been put in," George said after IU's March 26 spring practice. "Now it is time to slow the installation process and tweak some of the details."
Indiana will miss veteran defensive ends Victor Adeyanju and Ben Ishola, feisty defensive tackle Russ Richardson and hard-nosed linebackers John Pannozzo and Kyle Killion. However, the Hoosier coaches are pleased with the team's development in offseason strength and conditioning.
"We have some kids that can really run," Ricumstrict said. "They also made some nice improvement in the weight room. That's why this spring is so important for us. These guys just need to play."
Redshirt freshman Josh Bailey has certainly caught the coaching staff's eye. A former running back at Indianapolis Warren Central who helped his team to back-to-back state titles in 2003 and 2004, Bailey has added nearly 20 pounds and has moved to linebacker.
"Josh has shown good athleticism and aggression," Ricumstrict said. "He will definitely help us next year, hopefully at linebacker but definitely on special teams."
Four redshirt freshmen - defensive ends Neal Jones and Jammie Kirlew and defensive tackles Emile Bass and Todd Newman - could contribute along the defensive front if they continue to progress along the learning curve.
"There's a difference between being a scout team player and actually having to know the defense," George said. "It's different (in practice) reading a card that tells you where to go and having to see the calls, interpret things and understanding the full amount of what is going to happen on the field. Up to this point, the guys are doing real well."
According to George, the current upperclassmen deserve considerable credit for easing this transition.
"Some of the upperclassmen are taking their leadership role to heart and have stepped up," George said. "We have a great group of kids. We're going to find out a lot this spring and hopefully make a lot of strides."
