Indiana University Athletics
Wilson Updates Preseason Progress
8/24/2015 3:34:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The 2015-16 academic school year officially began Monday, bringing Indiana football one week closer to kicking off the 2015 season Sept. 5 against Southern Illinois.
Meeting with the media Monday afternoon, head coach Kevin Wilson said he gave his players the day off from on-field practice so they could get adjusted to their academic schedules.
That will become the norm for the players during the season, as Monday is typically a built-in day off with team activities still taking place off the field. Wilson brought in a guest speaker to address his team in the morning before sending them off to class.
"We're ready for a strong year, what we think will be a positive year," Wilson said. "By in large it's been a really good preseason."
Indiana entered a typical game-week schedule this week despite having no opponent to prepare for.
Wilson said the second and third string players will continue to get a majority of the work early on as the Hoosiers practice on the lighter side. He said he's looking for the Hoosiers to play at a high-tempo without the risk of working too hard too early.
The same was true in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage which allowed for the players lower in the depth chart to get some work in. Wilson reiterated that he was pleased with the work they did on the weekend, but he's still looking for more consistency heading into the start of the season.
"The offense clicked early. The defense settled down. We had some great situations," Wilson said. "But it was fast and it was physical and it was fun and it was good football. It was good to see."
Hoosiers Staying Healthy
Indiana is entering the closing stages of preseason camp relatively healthy, Wilson said.
Two Hoosiers—Ty Smith and Garrett Welch—have suffered injuries that will keep them out for the season. But apart from them and a few minor bumps and bruises, Wilson said nobody else is facing significant injury.
"You don't like that for (Smith and Welch), but other than that we've got no major losses to date," Wilson said.
Redshirt sophomore Aaron Del Grosso has been limited with a groin injury, but he's expected to be healthy in about a week or so. Wilson said he and fellow redshirt sophomore Griffin Oakes are "fifty-fifty" in competing for the starting spot.
Wilson Happy to Add Transfer Cornerback
Indiana added cornerback Wesley Green to the roster via a transfer from South Carolina, the program announced Monday.
Green, a former four-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com, was at one time recruited by Wilson before he opted to play for the Gamecocks.
Green redshirted last season and will need to sit out for a year in accordance to NCAA transfer policies. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
"(He's) an upper-level player," Wilson said. "We need some DBs…We thought that he would be better than anybody we could maybe go sign on paper. We'll get him here, get him right and he'll have three (years) to play."
Feeney is Mr. Consistent
A reporter asked Wilson who the most consistent player at practice is, and it didn't take Wilson long to have an answer.
"Dan Feeney," Wilson said. "Not even close. Hands down. The best."
Feeney, who was named to ESPN's All-Big Ten preseason team, has long impressed Wilson for his play on the offensive line.
Former All-America running back Tevin Coleman was close to matching Feeney's consistency, Wilson said, but he added that Feeney was better "without a doubt."
"He walks in, and he puts his socks on good," Wilson said.
