Indiana University Athletics
IU’s D-Line Confident Leading the Way
4/7/2016 3:03:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As far as Nate Hoff is concerned, improving Indiana's defense is going to start up front—literally.
Hoff, a redshirt junior, said IU's defensive line has made a point of stressing position-wide development in order to sure up the Hoosiers' defense in the upcoming season. He said the sooner the defensive line gets into the backfield, the easier everything will come for the rest of the defense.
"It's on us," Hoff said. "Let the D-line lead and everyone else follow."
The offseason is one of noticeable transition for Indiana's defensive line. Between new defensive coordinator Tom Allen's 4-2-5 scheme, the departure of four players with starting experience and new position coach Mark Hagen, IU's linemen have had their hands full adapting to change.
"That's going to be the main question throughout the offseason. 'What is the defensive line going to do?'" fifth-year senior Ralph Green III said. "We've got guys to replace, changes. It's a good challenge, but at the end of the day it's the next person who's got to step up."
Nick Mangieri, Zack Shaw and Darius Latham were the most productive departures in the position group. Last season, they combined for more than half of Indiana's 30 sacks, a number the current Hoosiers say they're looking to improve on.
Doing so will be a team effort, Hagen said. He doesn't foresee one or two players carrying the bulk of the load like Mangieri did with his 9.5 sacks a year ago.
"I don't think we have any just pure standout, play every snap type of guys," Hagen said. "But we have enough good players where we just got to all be working in the same direction."
Perhaps the most noteworthy schematic change Hagen has brought back with him to Bloomington since arriving in early February after three years at Texas A&M is an emphasis on his linemen playing vertically. A year ago, Indiana put focus into lateral movements to try to create trouble for opposing offensive lines with mixed success.
Green and Hoff both agreed that the downhill element Hagen is teaching is both more enjoyable and simpler. During some of Indiana's best games last season, like near wins against Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan, Green said IU experimented with traditional four-man fronts playing vertically and had success doing so.
With that being the focal point of the line's job in the upcoming season, Green said he expects that success to carry on from a week-to-week basis.
"When the coaches made it that was (last year) where we were getting up the field, that's why we were able to compete against some of the best teams because we were getting up the field," Green said. "That made a big difference. That's what you want to do."
While planning is one thing, doing is another.
Hoff said keeping up with a pair of new coaches has been challenging at times. There's been an increased focus on technical hand movements and a whole new playbook to learn. He said sometimes people overlook just how complex a defensive lineman's job can be in any given snap.
But they'll have to learn quickly, Allen said, because the rest of the defense depends on it.
"You're only as good as your front," Allen said.
So just how good does Indiana expect to be? Green's expectations are high with one caveat.
"If we can keep going the way we're going, we can be one of the best in the league," Green said.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As far as Nate Hoff is concerned, improving Indiana's defense is going to start up front—literally.
Hoff, a redshirt junior, said IU's defensive line has made a point of stressing position-wide development in order to sure up the Hoosiers' defense in the upcoming season. He said the sooner the defensive line gets into the backfield, the easier everything will come for the rest of the defense.
"It's on us," Hoff said. "Let the D-line lead and everyone else follow."
The offseason is one of noticeable transition for Indiana's defensive line. Between new defensive coordinator Tom Allen's 4-2-5 scheme, the departure of four players with starting experience and new position coach Mark Hagen, IU's linemen have had their hands full adapting to change.
"That's going to be the main question throughout the offseason. 'What is the defensive line going to do?'" fifth-year senior Ralph Green III said. "We've got guys to replace, changes. It's a good challenge, but at the end of the day it's the next person who's got to step up."
Nick Mangieri, Zack Shaw and Darius Latham were the most productive departures in the position group. Last season, they combined for more than half of Indiana's 30 sacks, a number the current Hoosiers say they're looking to improve on.
Doing so will be a team effort, Hagen said. He doesn't foresee one or two players carrying the bulk of the load like Mangieri did with his 9.5 sacks a year ago.
"I don't think we have any just pure standout, play every snap type of guys," Hagen said. "But we have enough good players where we just got to all be working in the same direction."
Perhaps the most noteworthy schematic change Hagen has brought back with him to Bloomington since arriving in early February after three years at Texas A&M is an emphasis on his linemen playing vertically. A year ago, Indiana put focus into lateral movements to try to create trouble for opposing offensive lines with mixed success.
Green and Hoff both agreed that the downhill element Hagen is teaching is both more enjoyable and simpler. During some of Indiana's best games last season, like near wins against Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan, Green said IU experimented with traditional four-man fronts playing vertically and had success doing so.
With that being the focal point of the line's job in the upcoming season, Green said he expects that success to carry on from a week-to-week basis.
"When the coaches made it that was (last year) where we were getting up the field, that's why we were able to compete against some of the best teams because we were getting up the field," Green said. "That made a big difference. That's what you want to do."
While planning is one thing, doing is another.
Hoff said keeping up with a pair of new coaches has been challenging at times. There's been an increased focus on technical hand movements and a whole new playbook to learn. He said sometimes people overlook just how complex a defensive lineman's job can be in any given snap.
But they'll have to learn quickly, Allen said, because the rest of the defense depends on it.
"You're only as good as your front," Allen said.
So just how good does Indiana expect to be? Green's expectations are high with one caveat.
"If we can keep going the way we're going, we can be one of the best in the league," Green said.
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
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