Indiana University Athletics
Shaw Remains Versatile, Dependable for IU
10/2/2015 9:06:00 AM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Zack Shaw embraces the unpredictability about playing at bandit. The fifth-year senior likes the mind games he gets to play with opposing quarterbacks.
He walks around stalking the edges prior to the snap. Sometimes he'll put a hand on the ground showing blitz, only to drop back into coverage. Other times he'll play back, biding his time to make a run and get after the quarterback for a sack.
"I'd say it's one of the more versatile positions on the field," Shaw said. "That's what I like about it. I get to do a little bit of everything, and the other team normally doesn't know what's coming until I'm already there."
Much like his position, Shaw's Indiana career has been far from set in stone.
He arrived in Bloomington as a highly-touted inside linebacker but never actually played there. He redshirted in 2011 and made the switch to defensive end before the 2012 season, where he appeared in all 12 games and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team.
After having similar production as a sophomore, Shaw was moved to bandit when defensive coordinator Brian Knorr took over the defense and started installing his 3-4 base set.
Knorr said Shaw's 6-foot-3, 253-pound frame and past playing experience made him an ideal fit for the bandit spot, which is a hybrid mixing the responsibilities of a linebacker and a defensive end. It became clear in practice that the move would fit his skillset, Knorr said.
"Zack was one of those guys who just seemed like an ideal fit for the position," Knorr said at IU's Media Day. "He kind of had that ability to do everything that was going to be asked of him whether it be disrupting the quarterback or stopping the run. Whatever we needed, he could do."
Shaw averaged about 30 snaps per game last season, splitting time with fellow senior Nick Mangieri, who has since moved to defensive end. IU head coach Kevin Wilson said part of the thought process behind Mangieri's position change was to allow Shaw to take more snaps.
"That meant a lot to me, honestly," Shaw said. "I guess it just means he has confidence in me to get the job done. I'll go out there and play as much or as little as they need me to. Whatever the team needs."
Mangieri, who became good friends with Shaw when they split time together, said he expects Shaw to have an even bigger impact this season. He said he's been the clear leader of the bandits, teaching younger guys the ins-and-outs of the position.
"It's like it was built for him," Mangieri said. "Just the way he plays, he's perfect for it."
While learning how to play the bandit, Shaw said Indiana watched film of former NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, who played bandit for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shaw said he tries to incorporate some of Harrison's game into his own.
Shaw works closest with Knorr, who's practically taught the bandit position himself. Shaw said it's exciting for him as one of the first players to play the position at Indiana because he can set the tone and make the position his own as he works to establish the group.
"I feel really good about where I'm at as a fifth-year senior," Shaw said. "My role on this defense, it's my job to be a vocal leader out there."
Shaw said he's been impressed with the way the younger bandits have been developing. He said Greg Gooch and Nile Sykes, his backups, have been pushing him in practice and doing a good job of embracing the position as their own.
As a group, Shaw stresses that they need to play more physical. He wants the bandits to be attacking players that other teams have to gameplan around, just like opposing NFL teams would need to plan around Harrison.
"You've got to be that all-around defensive player," Shaw said. "That's just what bandits do."
Having already proven himself as one of Indiana's most versatile, dependable players, Shaw said there's only one thing he wants out of his Hoosiers career—a bowl appearance.
He said this year's defense is as talented as any he's played alongside, adding that the key was getting everyone on the same page.?If they can do that, Shaw said there's no reason to doubt Indiana's potential.
"It would mean a lot to go to a bowl, there's no hiding that," Shaw said. "I've been fortunate to have the career I've had, and I just want to end it the right way."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Zack Shaw embraces the unpredictability about playing at bandit. The fifth-year senior likes the mind games he gets to play with opposing quarterbacks.
He walks around stalking the edges prior to the snap. Sometimes he'll put a hand on the ground showing blitz, only to drop back into coverage. Other times he'll play back, biding his time to make a run and get after the quarterback for a sack.
"I'd say it's one of the more versatile positions on the field," Shaw said. "That's what I like about it. I get to do a little bit of everything, and the other team normally doesn't know what's coming until I'm already there."
Much like his position, Shaw's Indiana career has been far from set in stone.
He arrived in Bloomington as a highly-touted inside linebacker but never actually played there. He redshirted in 2011 and made the switch to defensive end before the 2012 season, where he appeared in all 12 games and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team.
After having similar production as a sophomore, Shaw was moved to bandit when defensive coordinator Brian Knorr took over the defense and started installing his 3-4 base set.
Knorr said Shaw's 6-foot-3, 253-pound frame and past playing experience made him an ideal fit for the bandit spot, which is a hybrid mixing the responsibilities of a linebacker and a defensive end. It became clear in practice that the move would fit his skillset, Knorr said.
"Zack was one of those guys who just seemed like an ideal fit for the position," Knorr said at IU's Media Day. "He kind of had that ability to do everything that was going to be asked of him whether it be disrupting the quarterback or stopping the run. Whatever we needed, he could do."
Shaw averaged about 30 snaps per game last season, splitting time with fellow senior Nick Mangieri, who has since moved to defensive end. IU head coach Kevin Wilson said part of the thought process behind Mangieri's position change was to allow Shaw to take more snaps.
"That meant a lot to me, honestly," Shaw said. "I guess it just means he has confidence in me to get the job done. I'll go out there and play as much or as little as they need me to. Whatever the team needs."
Mangieri, who became good friends with Shaw when they split time together, said he expects Shaw to have an even bigger impact this season. He said he's been the clear leader of the bandits, teaching younger guys the ins-and-outs of the position.
"It's like it was built for him," Mangieri said. "Just the way he plays, he's perfect for it."
While learning how to play the bandit, Shaw said Indiana watched film of former NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, who played bandit for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shaw said he tries to incorporate some of Harrison's game into his own.
Shaw works closest with Knorr, who's practically taught the bandit position himself. Shaw said it's exciting for him as one of the first players to play the position at Indiana because he can set the tone and make the position his own as he works to establish the group.
"I feel really good about where I'm at as a fifth-year senior," Shaw said. "My role on this defense, it's my job to be a vocal leader out there."
Shaw said he's been impressed with the way the younger bandits have been developing. He said Greg Gooch and Nile Sykes, his backups, have been pushing him in practice and doing a good job of embracing the position as their own.
As a group, Shaw stresses that they need to play more physical. He wants the bandits to be attacking players that other teams have to gameplan around, just like opposing NFL teams would need to plan around Harrison.
"You've got to be that all-around defensive player," Shaw said. "That's just what bandits do."
Having already proven himself as one of Indiana's most versatile, dependable players, Shaw said there's only one thing he wants out of his Hoosiers career—a bowl appearance.
He said this year's defense is as talented as any he's played alongside, adding that the key was getting everyone on the same page.?If they can do that, Shaw said there's no reason to doubt Indiana's potential.
"It would mean a lot to go to a bowl, there's no hiding that," Shaw said. "I've been fortunate to have the career I've had, and I just want to end it the right way."
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