Indiana University Athletics
Kevin Johns Quotes - August 31st
8/31/2016 7:12:00 PM | Football
On quarterback Richard Lagow...
Johns: "It's almost like playing receiver. Guys that are tall, and have long legs, become long striders, and as a quarterback Rich is a tall, long guy. If you're not careful, you can over-stride and play with your feet too wide apart. That's something we've talked about with Rich since the day he walked into the door, trying to improve his footwork, his drops, and his base when he delivers the football. He has worked extremely hard on it. I think he has lots of work to do in that area, but he's only going to get better and it's come a long way since he's been here."
What are his tendencies in the pocket compared to Nate Sudfeld?
Johns: "I think they're similar. The great thing about Rich Lagow from what he's shown to us is that he's willing to stand in the pocket. He doesn't get scared or rattled, which is a great sign for a quarterback. He will take off and run when he needs to, kind of like what Nate did. I don't know if they're that different from a speed standpoint, but he will take off and run when he needs to."
It seems that the defense has stepped up in the preseason. What are you seeing from them?
Johns: "I see a different mindset, a different attitude, more than anything else. Coach Allen has his own scheme, but to me it's not about the new scheme. I think they have bought in with everything that coach Allen is trying to get those guys to do. They're playing harder, playing with more focus, and their eyes are a lot more disciplined than they were a year ago. From that standpoint, things have been positive, and I know they're excited for a big year."
Wes Rogers…
Johns: "Wes has developed in the time that he's been here, and now it's his time. He has done a phenomenal job with coach Frey learning the ins and outs of playing center, making the protection calls and fixing some problems when you're down there with the big guys. He has accepted the challenge and that role, he's worked hard at it, and I know as a senior it's an important year for him. He's been a phenomenal leader to those guys up front. Looking at our o-line in general, we have some guys who have played some football; we have depth and a good group of seniors. We expect him to carry the flag much like the guys in the last couple of years have done."
The weather with quarterbacks…
Johns: "I feel pretty comfortable with it. As a wide receiver coach, one of the things you put on your list during preseason is to make sure that we get some wet ball drills. Sometimes, that means carrying a bucket of water, dunking the ball in the water and throwing it to your receivers to test their catching. We've actually had a few practices where we went out and intentionally played in the rain to make those guys feel it and learn how to deal with it. I feel as comfortable as I've ever been going into the first game knowing that we've had those experiences. It's not going to be perfect, but we've felt it, dealt with it, and learned how to manage it in a practice situation."
On Clyde Newton's move to running back…
Johns: "He played it in high school, so he has a background and familiarity with him playing running back. His style of play allows him to be a physical, downhill runner. The transition from linebacker, where you want guys playing downhill, really translates to his game as a running back. He's a short yardage guy, a downhill runner, and a physical blocker. He's really worked his butt off in trying to learn the offense, watching extra film and spending time with coach McCullough, and he's been a pleasant surprise."
On Ricky Jones' senior leadership…
Johns: "More than anything else, it's his effort. On the practice field, he just doesn't get tired. I can see something going on in his mind, saying, 'This is my time, this is my year, and my group, and I'm going to show these guys how to do it.' It's been really impressive. He comes to work with a great attitude every day. He's a phenomenal leader on the field with his work ethic, but also in the meeting room. Ricky's a soft-spoken young man, but when he's around the younger guys he's been a great mentor. When we step on the field, there's no doubt who's going to work the hardest amongst the receivers."
"I think guys are different when their clocks are running out, when they realize that they only have three or four months until they're done. That switch has flipped in his head. He's been great for us in the past, but he's stood out more and been even better this year."
"Last year was his first full-time season, and he had a great season for us. He was really productive and consistent, and did a lot of good things for us. There's a sense of confidence in knowing what he accomplished last season. We all knew what he was capable of doing, and now he's getting the chance to go do it.
"We started his career as a slot receiver, and because of necessity we moved him to the outside. He found a home there. He's done nothing but improve and he's overcome a lot of adversity. At this point in time, he's been a leader in my room alongside Mitchell Paige and the other seniors. He's done a phenomenal job since August."
On the leadership culture change since Johns' arrival at Indiana…
Johns: "Since we first got here, we've never heard, 'That's not how we do it here,' or, 'This is how we do it here.' There wasn't really a standard, and it has taken a couple of years to set that standard. But now, the guys know. Dan Feeney can look at a lineman and say, 'That's not acceptable, that's not how we do it.' Ricky Jones, Devine Redding, and Danny Friend can do the same in their rooms. As coaches, that's a great thing, because now they know exactly what we want, and our kids don't feel like they're receiving unfair criticism. Now they know how we do things, and you almost feel excluded if you don't do it how we're going to do it. It's a credit to coach Wilson and what he's done with this program, and a credit to our kids for buying in. You look at a lot of these fourth- and fifth-year seniors, they're a product of doing this year after year. We're getting the results that we want."
Johns: "It's almost like playing receiver. Guys that are tall, and have long legs, become long striders, and as a quarterback Rich is a tall, long guy. If you're not careful, you can over-stride and play with your feet too wide apart. That's something we've talked about with Rich since the day he walked into the door, trying to improve his footwork, his drops, and his base when he delivers the football. He has worked extremely hard on it. I think he has lots of work to do in that area, but he's only going to get better and it's come a long way since he's been here."
What are his tendencies in the pocket compared to Nate Sudfeld?
Johns: "I think they're similar. The great thing about Rich Lagow from what he's shown to us is that he's willing to stand in the pocket. He doesn't get scared or rattled, which is a great sign for a quarterback. He will take off and run when he needs to, kind of like what Nate did. I don't know if they're that different from a speed standpoint, but he will take off and run when he needs to."
It seems that the defense has stepped up in the preseason. What are you seeing from them?
Johns: "I see a different mindset, a different attitude, more than anything else. Coach Allen has his own scheme, but to me it's not about the new scheme. I think they have bought in with everything that coach Allen is trying to get those guys to do. They're playing harder, playing with more focus, and their eyes are a lot more disciplined than they were a year ago. From that standpoint, things have been positive, and I know they're excited for a big year."
Wes Rogers…
Johns: "Wes has developed in the time that he's been here, and now it's his time. He has done a phenomenal job with coach Frey learning the ins and outs of playing center, making the protection calls and fixing some problems when you're down there with the big guys. He has accepted the challenge and that role, he's worked hard at it, and I know as a senior it's an important year for him. He's been a phenomenal leader to those guys up front. Looking at our o-line in general, we have some guys who have played some football; we have depth and a good group of seniors. We expect him to carry the flag much like the guys in the last couple of years have done."
The weather with quarterbacks…
Johns: "I feel pretty comfortable with it. As a wide receiver coach, one of the things you put on your list during preseason is to make sure that we get some wet ball drills. Sometimes, that means carrying a bucket of water, dunking the ball in the water and throwing it to your receivers to test their catching. We've actually had a few practices where we went out and intentionally played in the rain to make those guys feel it and learn how to deal with it. I feel as comfortable as I've ever been going into the first game knowing that we've had those experiences. It's not going to be perfect, but we've felt it, dealt with it, and learned how to manage it in a practice situation."
On Clyde Newton's move to running back…
Johns: "He played it in high school, so he has a background and familiarity with him playing running back. His style of play allows him to be a physical, downhill runner. The transition from linebacker, where you want guys playing downhill, really translates to his game as a running back. He's a short yardage guy, a downhill runner, and a physical blocker. He's really worked his butt off in trying to learn the offense, watching extra film and spending time with coach McCullough, and he's been a pleasant surprise."
On Ricky Jones' senior leadership…
Johns: "More than anything else, it's his effort. On the practice field, he just doesn't get tired. I can see something going on in his mind, saying, 'This is my time, this is my year, and my group, and I'm going to show these guys how to do it.' It's been really impressive. He comes to work with a great attitude every day. He's a phenomenal leader on the field with his work ethic, but also in the meeting room. Ricky's a soft-spoken young man, but when he's around the younger guys he's been a great mentor. When we step on the field, there's no doubt who's going to work the hardest amongst the receivers."
"I think guys are different when their clocks are running out, when they realize that they only have three or four months until they're done. That switch has flipped in his head. He's been great for us in the past, but he's stood out more and been even better this year."
"Last year was his first full-time season, and he had a great season for us. He was really productive and consistent, and did a lot of good things for us. There's a sense of confidence in knowing what he accomplished last season. We all knew what he was capable of doing, and now he's getting the chance to go do it.
"We started his career as a slot receiver, and because of necessity we moved him to the outside. He found a home there. He's done nothing but improve and he's overcome a lot of adversity. At this point in time, he's been a leader in my room alongside Mitchell Paige and the other seniors. He's done a phenomenal job since August."
On the leadership culture change since Johns' arrival at Indiana…
Johns: "Since we first got here, we've never heard, 'That's not how we do it here,' or, 'This is how we do it here.' There wasn't really a standard, and it has taken a couple of years to set that standard. But now, the guys know. Dan Feeney can look at a lineman and say, 'That's not acceptable, that's not how we do it.' Ricky Jones, Devine Redding, and Danny Friend can do the same in their rooms. As coaches, that's a great thing, because now they know exactly what we want, and our kids don't feel like they're receiving unfair criticism. Now they know how we do things, and you almost feel excluded if you don't do it how we're going to do it. It's a credit to coach Wilson and what he's done with this program, and a credit to our kids for buying in. You look at a lot of these fourth- and fifth-year seniors, they're a product of doing this year after year. We're getting the results that we want."
Players Mentioned
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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