Indiana University Athletics
Feeney Returns With More To Prove
1/20/2016 11:50:00 AM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Dan Feeney decided to put the NFL Draft on hold and return to the Hoosiers for his fifth and final season, but not without making the coaching staff sweat a little.
Just how long did he keep them waiting on his choice?
"The day of the deadline, Monday," Feeney said laughing. "It kind of got all the way down to the last minute."
The wait was certainly worth it for head coach Kevin Wilson and his staff. Feeney's return means they've got a first team All-America guard to anchor their offensive line for yet another season.
The 6-foot-4, 310 pound lineman played 2,719 snaps in 2015 without giving a single sack. He's allowed his quarterback to be taken down just once in 37 starts, a mistake he made against Rutgers in 2014 that Feeney was still kicking himself over months later.
Feeney's consistent play at an All-America level made him an attractive draft prospect even after missing all of the 2013 season with a foot injury. With the advice of scouts, coaches, family and teammates, he decided it was in his best interest to return to Bloomington to build on this past season's run to the
New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
"I came to Indiana trying to turn the program around," Feeney said. "I don't think we've gotten it there quite yet. We definitely got the work aspect and the standard raised, but we need to get the wins now. We need to change it around, and I think that this year is the year."
In analyzing his own game, Feeney turned to fellow All-American lineman Jason Spriggs for advice.
Spriggs, a graduated senior, will enter the NFL Draft after playing with and alongside Feeney throughout his Indiana career. The two compared notes with one another and shared information they'd learned throughout the process of preparing for the NFL Draft.
Ultimately, Feeney said Spriggs played a role in helping him decide to stay in school.
"Jason was definitely a big help," Feeney said. "He sat down with me, gave me a bunch of pros and cons to my game. I really can't thank him enough. He just kept giving me information that he asked agents and things like that. Definitely a big help. He was a big influence."
Feeney anticipates using the extra year in college to sharpen up his technical skills, including hand play and other fundamentals.
The additional season also gives him a potential opportunity to move away from his usual guard spot into other positions should the coaching staff ask him to in order to show off his versatility.
"I'm definitely open to that," he said. "I'll play wherever they need me."
With the career decision now off the table, Feeney said it was relieving to get back to work like he's been accustomed to throughout his time at Indiana.
He was back in the weight room Monday with new strength coach Keith Caton and the rest of his teammates laying down the foundation for an offseason of conditioning before spring practice starts up in March.
Nothing in football is certain, but after discussing his options with people he trusts, Feeney determined playing in the NFL remains likely enough to hold onto one final college season.
For now, the draft can wait.
"Now I can just focus on this season, helping lead the team to bigger dreams as Big Ten champions," Feeney said. "Just keep grinding, keep pushing."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Dan Feeney decided to put the NFL Draft on hold and return to the Hoosiers for his fifth and final season, but not without making the coaching staff sweat a little.
Just how long did he keep them waiting on his choice?
"The day of the deadline, Monday," Feeney said laughing. "It kind of got all the way down to the last minute."
The wait was certainly worth it for head coach Kevin Wilson and his staff. Feeney's return means they've got a first team All-America guard to anchor their offensive line for yet another season.
The 6-foot-4, 310 pound lineman played 2,719 snaps in 2015 without giving a single sack. He's allowed his quarterback to be taken down just once in 37 starts, a mistake he made against Rutgers in 2014 that Feeney was still kicking himself over months later.
Feeney's consistent play at an All-America level made him an attractive draft prospect even after missing all of the 2013 season with a foot injury. With the advice of scouts, coaches, family and teammates, he decided it was in his best interest to return to Bloomington to build on this past season's run to the
New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
"I came to Indiana trying to turn the program around," Feeney said. "I don't think we've gotten it there quite yet. We definitely got the work aspect and the standard raised, but we need to get the wins now. We need to change it around, and I think that this year is the year."
In analyzing his own game, Feeney turned to fellow All-American lineman Jason Spriggs for advice.
Spriggs, a graduated senior, will enter the NFL Draft after playing with and alongside Feeney throughout his Indiana career. The two compared notes with one another and shared information they'd learned throughout the process of preparing for the NFL Draft.
Ultimately, Feeney said Spriggs played a role in helping him decide to stay in school.
"Jason was definitely a big help," Feeney said. "He sat down with me, gave me a bunch of pros and cons to my game. I really can't thank him enough. He just kept giving me information that he asked agents and things like that. Definitely a big help. He was a big influence."
Feeney anticipates using the extra year in college to sharpen up his technical skills, including hand play and other fundamentals.
The additional season also gives him a potential opportunity to move away from his usual guard spot into other positions should the coaching staff ask him to in order to show off his versatility.
"I'm definitely open to that," he said. "I'll play wherever they need me."
With the career decision now off the table, Feeney said it was relieving to get back to work like he's been accustomed to throughout his time at Indiana.
He was back in the weight room Monday with new strength coach Keith Caton and the rest of his teammates laying down the foundation for an offseason of conditioning before spring practice starts up in March.
Nothing in football is certain, but after discussing his options with people he trusts, Feeney determined playing in the NFL remains likely enough to hold onto one final college season.
For now, the draft can wait.
"Now I can just focus on this season, helping lead the team to bigger dreams as Big Ten champions," Feeney said. "Just keep grinding, keep pushing."
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