Indiana University Athletics
D-Line Expects to Anchor IU Defense
8/12/2015 11:40:00 AM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson is still getting a grasp for his team's strengths this early in fall camp, but at least one thing appears already certain: the Hoosiers' coach likes his defensive line.
Wilson has said on multiple occasions that his defensive line has the potential to be one of the best in the Big Ten, and he anticipates being able to lean on his men in the trenches often this season.
Led by second-year defensive line coach Larry McDaniel, the early reports have indicated that the experienced line has been one of the most consistent and talented position groups in practice.
"Collectively as a group I think they're more mature," McDaniel said. "They understand me a little bit better, me going into my second year. They understand our standards of doing things and they've embraced that."
The Hoosiers look to build on last year's growth under defensive coordinator Brian Knorr. Using Knorr's 3-4 scheme, Indiana ranked 10th in the Big Ten against the run and 11th in total defense.
The second-year coordinator admitted at Saturday's media day that Indiana still isn't where it needs to be defensively against the pass. The Hoosiers will be relying on four new starters in the secondary, but Wilson trusts his defensive line to make life easier for a relatively untested group of corners and safeties.
"I think you can go through some growing pains if your line of scrimmage is kicking butt," Wilson said. "As we go through camp, it will be interesting to see just how strong our line of scrimmage is because that will really help those young guys, not stress them out so much."
Senior defensive tackle Adarius Rayner took Wilson's sentiment one step further by saying the Hoosiers' young secondary has actually made life easier on the defensive line.
"Having a young defensive backfield is good for an older front because the defensive backs listen more and are sometimes more eager to take our advice," Rayner said. "It actually helps us as a defense, and it should help us with our pass rush."
Although the 3-4 defense has a focus on stopping the run, developing a pass rush has been a major point of emphasis this offseason.
The Hoosiers ranked 82nd in the country with 23 sacks last year. Just over half of those sacks (12.5) came from the defensive line.
Graduated defensive end Bobby Richardson led the Hoosiers with 5.5 sacks last season, leaving sophomore nose tackle Nate Hoff as the leading returner with 3.5 sacks. He expects to see the sack totals rise this season now that everyone's comfortable lining up in the 3-4.
"It's actually awesome not having to learn a whole new defense," Hoff said. "Everything's a lot quicker…Right now for us, it's more about pass disruption and attacking the quarterback a lot more. We've focused more on pass rushing and being disruptive in the backfield."
Nick Mangieri could factor into increasing the pressure this season. The senior moved from back to the defensive line after playing bandit last season.
Mangieri said he enjoyed his time at the bandit before saying that his size and style of play may be better suited for the defensive line. McDaniel praised Mangieri's work ethic and his ability to return to the position he was recruited to play.
"It's been pretty seamless," McDaniel said. "I think that he's comfortable down there. He's back with the group of guys that he's been with for his first couple years here. From the standpoint of him coming into the room and just fitting in like an old shoe, he's able to do that."
With Mangieri back in the mix, most of last year's production returning and a young crop of freshmen already catching the coaches' attention, Rayner said there's a noticeable excitement in the defensive linemen's meeting rooms.
He said the Hoosiers feel like they've hit on something in McDaniel's second season as their coach. With expectations rising, Rayner said he and his teammates are excited for the challenges ahead.
"Everybody's energized and willing to work," Rayner said. "I just feel like it's going to continue. Everyone's running. Everyone's getting to the ball great, and that's what we're going to need during the season. Everybody has to do their job.
"I really like what we've got."
