Indiana University Athletics
Offensive Depth Key for Hoosiers in 2016
8/3/2016 2:44:00 PM | Football
By: Charlie Duffy
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana returns eight offensive players that have started at least one game in a previous season. Combine that with the fact that many key reserves have seen valuable snaps and it all adds up to one thing: depth. The depth of the offensive unit was a recurring theme at today's football media day.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns calls this team's depth a good problem to have. "This shows good recruiting, good development and good maturity on the players part," Johns said.
The wide receiver corps is loaded with depth and talent. The team returns all three starters from last season in Ricky Jones, Simmie Cobbs, Jr., and Mitchell Paige. The unit will also get a boost in the slot as J-Shun Harris II returns after missing all of 2015. Nick Westbrook will look to take the next step after a strong offseason and solid freshman year.
"We do not look at ourselves as ones and twos. That is what we coach, what we teach and what we believe," Johns said.
Paige, who was sporting a new bleach blonde look, likes what he sees.
"We have six, seven maybe eight guys that can come in and make things happen," Paige said. "Any time you can get fresh bodies on the field it will help us play faster."
The offensive line returns four, fifth-year seniors, anchored by 2015 first team All-American Dan Feeney. They will look to open running lanes for a running backs group led by junior Devine Redding.
The Hoosiers have had successive starting running backs selected in the NFL Draft in Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard. Redding does not seem phased by the pressure of following in their footsteps.
"Coach Wilson always tells us just to be us," said Redding. "The entire running back group plays for Coach McCollough, Coach Wilson, ourselves and each other. I am just having fun with it, not trying to add any pressure."
As for who will be spreading the ball around, Jones feels confident in whoever takes over this season.
"We have established comfort levels with everybody," Jones said. "We have caught passes from all of the QBs this offseason. A lot of passes, so whoever is playing quarterback we will have confidence in."
Johns discussed where he would like to see his signal-callers improve.
"We spent a lot of time in the spring just improving [Richard] Lagow's footwork," Johns said. "We are going to try to put him in as many real game situations as we can to force him to communicate, recognize blitzes and coverages and manage the game between snaps. For Zander it is about continuing to put the overall package together, the overall game management."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana returns eight offensive players that have started at least one game in a previous season. Combine that with the fact that many key reserves have seen valuable snaps and it all adds up to one thing: depth. The depth of the offensive unit was a recurring theme at today's football media day.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns calls this team's depth a good problem to have. "This shows good recruiting, good development and good maturity on the players part," Johns said.
The wide receiver corps is loaded with depth and talent. The team returns all three starters from last season in Ricky Jones, Simmie Cobbs, Jr., and Mitchell Paige. The unit will also get a boost in the slot as J-Shun Harris II returns after missing all of 2015. Nick Westbrook will look to take the next step after a strong offseason and solid freshman year.
"We do not look at ourselves as ones and twos. That is what we coach, what we teach and what we believe," Johns said.
Paige, who was sporting a new bleach blonde look, likes what he sees.
"We have six, seven maybe eight guys that can come in and make things happen," Paige said. "Any time you can get fresh bodies on the field it will help us play faster."
The offensive line returns four, fifth-year seniors, anchored by 2015 first team All-American Dan Feeney. They will look to open running lanes for a running backs group led by junior Devine Redding.
The Hoosiers have had successive starting running backs selected in the NFL Draft in Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard. Redding does not seem phased by the pressure of following in their footsteps.
"Coach Wilson always tells us just to be us," said Redding. "The entire running back group plays for Coach McCollough, Coach Wilson, ourselves and each other. I am just having fun with it, not trying to add any pressure."
As for who will be spreading the ball around, Jones feels confident in whoever takes over this season.
"We have established comfort levels with everybody," Jones said. "We have caught passes from all of the QBs this offseason. A lot of passes, so whoever is playing quarterback we will have confidence in."
Johns discussed where he would like to see his signal-callers improve.
"We spent a lot of time in the spring just improving [Richard] Lagow's footwork," Johns said. "We are going to try to put him in as many real game situations as we can to force him to communicate, recognize blitzes and coverages and manage the game between snaps. For Zander it is about continuing to put the overall package together, the overall game management."
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