Indiana University Athletics
Wilson, Staff Learning About Personnel During Spring Practice
4/5/2016 9:36:00 PM | Football
By: Tori Ziege, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana wants one question answered during spring ball.
Who can play?
The X's and O's, head coach Kevin Wilson and offensive coordinator Kevin Johns can instill later.
During springtime, the coaches simply want to see who knows their assignments, who can take care of the football and who can be physical. And through 10 practices, several players have shown they're up to the task.
The offseason, even in the seemingly short span of two months, can be a time of tremendous growth both physically and mentally for players. Such was the case for wide receivers Nick Westbrook and Luke Timian.
Westbrook, a sophomore, and Timian, a redshirt sophomore, both saw the field for the first time in 2015. Whereas Westbook saw action in all 13 games, Timian came on at the end of the season, and the duo both recorded their first career touchdowns in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
Since then, Westbrook has added 15-20 pounds to his frame.
"As a young player your first year things happen really fast," Johns said. "I think the game is slowing down for him. He's bigger, he's stronger. We're trying to get him to play more physical."
Quarterback Competition
Austin King has made in resurgence in the quarterback competition after answering the salient question.
Yes, he can play.
The redshirt freshman impressed in Saturday's scrimmage and again inserted himself into the race for the starting role. King, redshirt sophomore Danny Cameron and junior college transfer Richard Lagow all took first-team reps during Tuesday's practice.
Though Johns said they would like to get it down to one or two players by the end of spring ball, the fact that they are making the decision so difficult is a testament to their efforts.
King mustered his way back into contention after he saw his work cut in practice. That wouldn't do. He came back the next day with a heightened sense of urgency and caught the eye of his coaches.
"Austin has all the tools to be a really, really good player," Johns said. "Still learning the offense, still going through reads and progressions. But man when he knows what he's doing, he can rip it as well as anybody."
The same can be said for Lagow.
Wilson and Johns are encouraged by the skill sets of King and Lagow, whose time to learn the offense more thoroughly will come after the conclusion of spring practice in two weeks.
Meanwhile Cameron, a veteran by way of years spent at Indiana, continues to impress with his confidence in the playbook, which translates into a strong presence and awareness between plays.
"If they keep doing what we're doing we'll be fine," Wilson said. "I don't know if anyone is good enough yet, but I like all three of them."
Injury update
Wilson announced Tuesday that running back Camion Patrick hurt his knee and will be out indefinitely.
The redshirt junior was ineligible to play in 2015, but Wilson has referred to him on several occasions as the best player on the team. Patrick spent the season entrenched in the Hoosiers' system and was named the offensive scout player of the year for his efforts.
Though originally recruited to play wide out, Patrick maximized the opportunity, adding running back to his arsenal of positions. He figures to be an important part of the Hoosiers' back field alongside 1000-yard rusher Devine Redding in 2016.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana wants one question answered during spring ball.
Who can play?
The X's and O's, head coach Kevin Wilson and offensive coordinator Kevin Johns can instill later.
During springtime, the coaches simply want to see who knows their assignments, who can take care of the football and who can be physical. And through 10 practices, several players have shown they're up to the task.
The offseason, even in the seemingly short span of two months, can be a time of tremendous growth both physically and mentally for players. Such was the case for wide receivers Nick Westbrook and Luke Timian.
Westbrook, a sophomore, and Timian, a redshirt sophomore, both saw the field for the first time in 2015. Whereas Westbook saw action in all 13 games, Timian came on at the end of the season, and the duo both recorded their first career touchdowns in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
Since then, Westbrook has added 15-20 pounds to his frame.
"As a young player your first year things happen really fast," Johns said. "I think the game is slowing down for him. He's bigger, he's stronger. We're trying to get him to play more physical."
Quarterback Competition
Austin King has made in resurgence in the quarterback competition after answering the salient question.
Yes, he can play.
The redshirt freshman impressed in Saturday's scrimmage and again inserted himself into the race for the starting role. King, redshirt sophomore Danny Cameron and junior college transfer Richard Lagow all took first-team reps during Tuesday's practice.
Though Johns said they would like to get it down to one or two players by the end of spring ball, the fact that they are making the decision so difficult is a testament to their efforts.
King mustered his way back into contention after he saw his work cut in practice. That wouldn't do. He came back the next day with a heightened sense of urgency and caught the eye of his coaches.
"Austin has all the tools to be a really, really good player," Johns said. "Still learning the offense, still going through reads and progressions. But man when he knows what he's doing, he can rip it as well as anybody."
The same can be said for Lagow.
Wilson and Johns are encouraged by the skill sets of King and Lagow, whose time to learn the offense more thoroughly will come after the conclusion of spring practice in two weeks.
Meanwhile Cameron, a veteran by way of years spent at Indiana, continues to impress with his confidence in the playbook, which translates into a strong presence and awareness between plays.
"If they keep doing what we're doing we'll be fine," Wilson said. "I don't know if anyone is good enough yet, but I like all three of them."
Injury update
Wilson announced Tuesday that running back Camion Patrick hurt his knee and will be out indefinitely.
The redshirt junior was ineligible to play in 2015, but Wilson has referred to him on several occasions as the best player on the team. Patrick spent the season entrenched in the Hoosiers' system and was named the offensive scout player of the year for his efforts.
Though originally recruited to play wide out, Patrick maximized the opportunity, adding running back to his arsenal of positions. He figures to be an important part of the Hoosiers' back field alongside 1000-yard rusher Devine Redding in 2016.
Players Mentioned
FB: Spring Game - Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, April 23
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21