Indiana University Athletics
Veterans Helping Young Players Ease into Camp
8/7/2015 5:19:00 PM | Football
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Three years ago, a freshman Nick Mangieri was a little worried to be heading to football practice.
The now-senior defensive lineman smiled recalling the freshman version of himself being "super nervous" trying to fit in during his first college practices. It was sometimes hard for him to pay attention during meetings because Mangieri's head was spinning, he said.
Now, 24 true freshman are experiencing the same struggles Mangieri and other veteran teammates went through before them. As older guys, the upper classmen are doing their best to help make the transition into college camp as seamless as possible.
"It's fun to just remember yourself being in their shoes," senior tight end Anthony Corsaro said. "You remember what it's like. It still happens to us every once and a while, too. Those same feelings come back to us, but it's cool to see it."
The freshmen have been getting a crash course in Indiana football with the help of veteran teammates to guide them along the way.
Junior linebacker TJ Simmons, who's started 23-of-24 games in two seasons, said he's beginning to feel old seeing the freshmen arrive at camp. It wasn't long ago that he was the new kid at practice trying to prove himself among an older group of linebackers.
"It feels like I was just doing that," Simmons said. "Now, their heads are spinning and you know exactly how they feel because you were the same guy. You just try to slow it down and teach them that you're going to mess up, and that's okay because it's part of it."
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Dan Feeney said the freshman have impressed him with how prepared they were for camp, but he added that growing pains are a natural part of being new to the team.
Feeney said he's been trying to answer as many questions that come his way. He said he enjoys the leadership role and taking younger kids under his wing.
Feeney, who was named to both the Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award Watch Lists, isn't exactly a bad choice for a role model, either.
"I'm just trying to teach them our mindset of how we want to play," Feeney said. "We're just trying to get their mindset right that we want to be the toughest people out on the field. We want to get them on the right mental capacity, and then we'll teach them the plays."
Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson hasn't shied away from playing young players in the past as he's done with Simmons and Feeney, among others. It's a reflection in his policy that the best 11 players should be on the field, regardless of grade.
Wilson already made mention of a handful of freshmen with the potential to make an early impact.
He brought up Jameel Cook and Jonathan Crawford on Thursday as players who could help out the secondary. He also mentioned Andre Brown, Tyler Green, Isaac James, Devonte Williams, Brandon Knight and Simon Stepaniak by name.
As camp continues, that list will only have more and more time to grow.
"We're expecting to play a lot of dudes," Wilson said. "We're going to have numbers. I think there's a lot of young talent."
No more dreads for Simmons
It hasn't been hard to spot Simmons on the field the last two seasons.
His dreadlocks had become easily recognizable out of the back of his helmet. Last year, he even dyed the tips crimson to match the school's color.
But that won't be the case this season. Simmons ditched his dreadlocks, instead opting for a shaved head because he said it looked "more mature."
In the meantime, fans will just have to keep an eye out for jersey No. 2 when trying to spot the Hoosier linebacker.
Media day tomorrow
Indiana football's 2015 media day will take place Saturday.
Selected players, Wilson and assistant coaches will be addressing the press and answering questions about the upcoming season.
Be on the lookout for stories and video. You can follow @HoosierFootball on Twitter for updates.
