Indiana University Athletics
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Feeney Sets Standard on the Offensive Line
11/9/2016 8:06:00 PM | Football
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Five years ago, two future All-Americans moved into the same dorm room as freshmen on the Indiana football team.
Dan Feeney and Jason Spriggs, who grew up about two hours apart on I-94, joined the Hoosiers prior to the 2012 season. And they made waves from the very beginning, as both set an IU record by starting all 12 games on the line as true freshmen.
After three years and 13 awards between the pair, both earned the title of All-American in the 2015 season. Spriggs graduated last year before the Green Bay Packers drafted him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Feeney, a fifth-year senior, hopes to join his former roommate at the next level one day.
But for now, Feeney is enjoying the ability to play for the Hoosiers on Saturdays while tuning into Spriggs' games on Sundays.
"It's crazy to see one of your buddies up there, but obviously he's worked hard for it and he deserves it," Feeney said. "I think he's going to be a heck of a player. I hit him up once in a while to see how he's doing, but obviously he's a little busy."
Feeney, for his part, doesn't have a light agenda. He's constantly at work with Greg Frey, Indiana's offensive line coach, working on his technique and footwork while training the underclassmen to rise to the standard of the position group.
"He's definitely an intense guy," said Feeney about his position coach. "He's going to demand the best out of you and push you to your limit, but that's what you want in a coach. You want someone who will push you as hard as he can."
Although he saw early success, Feeney admits that he faced a steep learning curve in his first season. The speed and power of the college ranks eclipses the play in high school, and the upperclassmen are more experienced and physically developed. Furthermore, Feeney had to shift from playing tackle at Carl Sandburg High School to a career on the interior at Indiana.
And as if that all wasn't enough to manage, Feeney was going to play in Indiana's offensive line, a team that has an affinity for running at a lightning-fast pace.
""You definitely need a little conditioning, especially in this high tempo, no-huddle offense," said Feeney. "That was another big adjustment to make, because they're going to make the guards move. We're doing outside and inside zone blocking, and we're doing it in a few seconds. So you have to move quick and have a high level of conditioning."
So far, all of the tinkering and micromanaging of Feeney's gameplay has worked incredibly well. Feeney has allowed just one sack over 3,053 offensive snaps. Four publications gave Feeney All-American recognition last season, and he's garnered eight All-Big Ten and freshman All-American awards. He will play his 43rd game on Saturday against Penn State.
For all of his accomplishments, however, Feeney hones his focus on improving his position group, and he hopes the underclassmen will grow to surpass his achievements.
"I want people to attain the standard we set and go above and beyond that," Feeney said. "We have guys here now who will probably be better than Jason and myself, but we have to mold them into the players they're capable of becoming. That's the biggest thing with leaving a legacy: making sure that those after you can reach the standard you set, and then go above and beyond that."
It's hard for Feeney to put into words what his time at Indiana has meant to him, but it's even harder to describe the feeling of seeing three games left on the schedule. Beyond that, Feeney only has two more chances to play for the home crowd at Memorial Stadium.
He hopes to make the most of the chances he has remaining. That's the typical approach for Dan Feeney.
"It's been five years in the making, and now it's down to the final three games of the regular season," he said. "It's definitely flown by, but it has been a great and crazy experience. I'm excited to get these last few games under my belt and hopefully get wins in all of them so we can keep developing."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Five years ago, two future All-Americans moved into the same dorm room as freshmen on the Indiana football team.
Dan Feeney and Jason Spriggs, who grew up about two hours apart on I-94, joined the Hoosiers prior to the 2012 season. And they made waves from the very beginning, as both set an IU record by starting all 12 games on the line as true freshmen.
After three years and 13 awards between the pair, both earned the title of All-American in the 2015 season. Spriggs graduated last year before the Green Bay Packers drafted him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Feeney, a fifth-year senior, hopes to join his former roommate at the next level one day.
But for now, Feeney is enjoying the ability to play for the Hoosiers on Saturdays while tuning into Spriggs' games on Sundays.
"It's crazy to see one of your buddies up there, but obviously he's worked hard for it and he deserves it," Feeney said. "I think he's going to be a heck of a player. I hit him up once in a while to see how he's doing, but obviously he's a little busy."
Feeney, for his part, doesn't have a light agenda. He's constantly at work with Greg Frey, Indiana's offensive line coach, working on his technique and footwork while training the underclassmen to rise to the standard of the position group.
"He's definitely an intense guy," said Feeney about his position coach. "He's going to demand the best out of you and push you to your limit, but that's what you want in a coach. You want someone who will push you as hard as he can."
Although he saw early success, Feeney admits that he faced a steep learning curve in his first season. The speed and power of the college ranks eclipses the play in high school, and the upperclassmen are more experienced and physically developed. Furthermore, Feeney had to shift from playing tackle at Carl Sandburg High School to a career on the interior at Indiana.
And as if that all wasn't enough to manage, Feeney was going to play in Indiana's offensive line, a team that has an affinity for running at a lightning-fast pace.
""You definitely need a little conditioning, especially in this high tempo, no-huddle offense," said Feeney. "That was another big adjustment to make, because they're going to make the guards move. We're doing outside and inside zone blocking, and we're doing it in a few seconds. So you have to move quick and have a high level of conditioning."
So far, all of the tinkering and micromanaging of Feeney's gameplay has worked incredibly well. Feeney has allowed just one sack over 3,053 offensive snaps. Four publications gave Feeney All-American recognition last season, and he's garnered eight All-Big Ten and freshman All-American awards. He will play his 43rd game on Saturday against Penn State.
For all of his accomplishments, however, Feeney hones his focus on improving his position group, and he hopes the underclassmen will grow to surpass his achievements.
"I want people to attain the standard we set and go above and beyond that," Feeney said. "We have guys here now who will probably be better than Jason and myself, but we have to mold them into the players they're capable of becoming. That's the biggest thing with leaving a legacy: making sure that those after you can reach the standard you set, and then go above and beyond that."
It's hard for Feeney to put into words what his time at Indiana has meant to him, but it's even harder to describe the feeling of seeing three games left on the schedule. Beyond that, Feeney only has two more chances to play for the home crowd at Memorial Stadium.
He hopes to make the most of the chances he has remaining. That's the typical approach for Dan Feeney.
"It's been five years in the making, and now it's down to the final three games of the regular season," he said. "It's definitely flown by, but it has been a great and crazy experience. I'm excited to get these last few games under my belt and hopefully get wins in all of them so we can keep developing."
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