Indiana University Athletics
Camiel Becoming ‘A Dude' For Indiana
11/6/2015 12:15:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Dimitric Camiel is a dude. Or maybe he's a guy. Kevin Wilson isn't quite sure yet.
Two weeks ago, Indiana's head coach praised Camiel's play against Michigan State, calling him "a dude." He backed off his claim Monday, instead saying Camiel is more of "a guy."
There's a difference between the two classifications, though Camiel said he isn't quite sure what it takes to go from "guy" to "dude" status or vice versa. Indiana's starting right tackle doesn't really care.
"I'm just a kid from Texas trying to play ball," Camiel said.
The kid from Texas is a 6-foot-7, 310-pound redshirt junior that's been tasked with protecting his quarterback from some of the Big Ten's most elite pass rushers.
In October alone, Camiel was matched up against the likes of Joey Bosa, Carl Nassib and Shilique Calhoun in a matter of four weeks. All three rank in the top eight in the conference in tackles for loss, and all three picked out Camiel.
Camiel said he understands why they'd rather attack his side of the offensive line. Senior left tackle Jason Spriggs—who has been projected as an early-round pick in next spring's NFL Draft—holds down the other side and has already proven his worth.
Camiel is still making a name for himself. The kid from Texas said he hasn't proven anything yet.
"He knows what he's up against," offensive line coach Greg Frey said. "But Dimitric is working hard and he cares. And really, guys that work hard and care can become what they want to become. The question that's asked is 'What does he want?' Because that's what it will come down to."
Camiel has started all eight games this season after getting his number called five times last fall to replace Ralston Evans as he dealt with injury. He initially redshirted as a freshman before appearing in all 12 games in 2013 and getting onto the field regularly as both a starter and rotation player in 2014.
When Evans opted to end his career short with a medical hardship, Camiel won the position in fall camp. He said there's no secret to what he did. He worked as hard as he could and tried to be as consistent as possible, all with the help of Evans now coaching him at his former position.
Camiel is open in analyzing his own game, repeatedly saying he needs to get better. He looks up to players like Jamaal Brown and Trent Williams—both Wilson products—and says he knows he's not nearly as talented as them yet.
But Camiel wants to get there. Wilson does too.
"He's on me a lot, telling me he's seen some really good guys, and he always says, 'You're not one of those guys,'" Camiel said. "I use that as motivation, because I look up to those guys."
Camiel may not be as naturally talented as NFL-caliber players yet. He may never be.
But he promises to work. Under Wilson's guidance, the guy could become a dude one day just like Brown and Williams did before him.
Whatever that really means.
"Dimitric wants to be great," Frey said. "And to be honest with you, he's now starting to become the player we thought he could be. Quite honestly. And I think he's starting to feel that as well."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Dimitric Camiel is a dude. Or maybe he's a guy. Kevin Wilson isn't quite sure yet.
Two weeks ago, Indiana's head coach praised Camiel's play against Michigan State, calling him "a dude." He backed off his claim Monday, instead saying Camiel is more of "a guy."
There's a difference between the two classifications, though Camiel said he isn't quite sure what it takes to go from "guy" to "dude" status or vice versa. Indiana's starting right tackle doesn't really care.
"I'm just a kid from Texas trying to play ball," Camiel said.
The kid from Texas is a 6-foot-7, 310-pound redshirt junior that's been tasked with protecting his quarterback from some of the Big Ten's most elite pass rushers.
In October alone, Camiel was matched up against the likes of Joey Bosa, Carl Nassib and Shilique Calhoun in a matter of four weeks. All three rank in the top eight in the conference in tackles for loss, and all three picked out Camiel.
Camiel said he understands why they'd rather attack his side of the offensive line. Senior left tackle Jason Spriggs—who has been projected as an early-round pick in next spring's NFL Draft—holds down the other side and has already proven his worth.
Camiel is still making a name for himself. The kid from Texas said he hasn't proven anything yet.
"He knows what he's up against," offensive line coach Greg Frey said. "But Dimitric is working hard and he cares. And really, guys that work hard and care can become what they want to become. The question that's asked is 'What does he want?' Because that's what it will come down to."
Camiel has started all eight games this season after getting his number called five times last fall to replace Ralston Evans as he dealt with injury. He initially redshirted as a freshman before appearing in all 12 games in 2013 and getting onto the field regularly as both a starter and rotation player in 2014.
When Evans opted to end his career short with a medical hardship, Camiel won the position in fall camp. He said there's no secret to what he did. He worked as hard as he could and tried to be as consistent as possible, all with the help of Evans now coaching him at his former position.
Camiel is open in analyzing his own game, repeatedly saying he needs to get better. He looks up to players like Jamaal Brown and Trent Williams—both Wilson products—and says he knows he's not nearly as talented as them yet.
But Camiel wants to get there. Wilson does too.
"He's on me a lot, telling me he's seen some really good guys, and he always says, 'You're not one of those guys,'" Camiel said. "I use that as motivation, because I look up to those guys."
Camiel may not be as naturally talented as NFL-caliber players yet. He may never be.
But he promises to work. Under Wilson's guidance, the guy could become a dude one day just like Brown and Williams did before him.
Whatever that really means.
"Dimitric wants to be great," Frey said. "And to be honest with you, he's now starting to become the player we thought he could be. Quite honestly. And I think he's starting to feel that as well."
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