Indiana University Athletics
Veteran Offensive Lineman Looking to Form Own Identity
8/7/2016 4:33:00 PM | Football
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Fall Camp on Social Day 5 Photo Gallery Quotes Videos: Frey | Bailey | Rogers |
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With one week of camp under their belt, the veteran leaders on the offensive line are holding their position group to a certain standard.
"It's been really fun," said senior lineman Jacob Bailey. "Being here for my fifth year, as the older guy, you realize as time goes on that football is fun. Some of the younger guys are out here thinking that it's work, but there's nothing I'd rather be doing right now."
The Hoosiers' most recent practice was their first in pads of the fall camp, as they ramp up to the season opener next month. As expected, the linemen on both sides of the ball are ecstatic that they can return to contact in the trenches, as opposed to just working against pads and sleds.
"It's been really fun and intense," fifth-year senior lineman Wes Rogers said. "Nobody has 'camp legs' yet, so we're all running around. We're having fun hitting each other and talking smack to each other, so it's been fun in these first five practices."
"Camp legs," as Rogers put it, are another primary focus of the early stages of fall camp for this position group. The guys have grown and made strides in the weight room this summer, but their next step is to be able to handle the rigors of a live game.
At Indiana, that means battling on the line in the Hoosiers' high-octane offense, and giving your best on every down.
"Right now, we're trying to get back into shape, get a little stronger and build off of where we were in the spring while correcting some of the issues from the summer," said offensive line coach Greg Frey. "We're getting them right, just trying to get them working as a team and the offensive line."
Last season, Frey's unit led the Hoosiers to two 1,000-yard rushers in Jordan Howard and Devine Redding. Their outstanding effort on the field also resulted in a pair of first team All-Americans—Green Bay Packer Jason Spriggs and current fifth-year senior Dan Feeney.
This year's offensive line will be hard at work this fall in order to reach the standard set by those before them. Frey's goal in the next few weeks is for the guys to pull away from last year's group and their successes and form their own identity.
"That was last year's team," Frey said when asked about last year's accomplishments in the trenches. "They did a great job, but now we have this year's team. The bottom line is that Jason Spriggs and Jake Reed were seniors, so they built the line into what they wanted it to be. This year we have Dan Feeney, Jacob Bailey, Wes Rogers and Dimitric Camiel, so they'll build this offensive line. In 12 games, you'll be able to see what these seniors have been able to build with this offensive line."
The seniors on the offensive line are ready to answer the call. The foursome has led by example this offseason, showing the underclassmen how the position is played at IU, while also keeping sight of the joys of playing football.
"I'm just trying to make sure the younger guys know what the standard is," Rogers said. "That includes how our offense and offensive line plays and how they work, practice, lift, and go to meetings. We're really just trying to set the example for the younger guys and make sure they know what they're supposed to be doing."
When making an overall assessment of this class of linemen, one trait that shines through is their humility. The guys realize that, even in their last season of their collegiate careers, Frey and the coaching staff are looking for their optimal lineup. And they're prepared if that doesn't include them.
Alongside their humility, Frey noted that their ability to receive coaching in their seniority is crucial to the unit's success.
"When the coaches are around, we don't need them to necessarily be leaders," Frey said. "We just need them to focus on being great players and being themselves. When they're off the field, encouraging their teammates and including them in the group, that's where their leadership is. I don't get to see that all the time, but when I'm in the huddle I need them to be great teammates and great players."
The Hoosiers return for their first two-a-day and practices six and seven on Monday, Aug. 8.
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