Indiana University Athletics
Fletcher and Newton Taking Advantage of Different Roles
9/23/2016 2:28:00 PM | Football
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Clyde Newton's gameday starts at around the same time as the rest of his teammates, but the feeling really hits him when he passes Denny's.
"I put on this song from Webbie," Newton said. "When we're pulling up on our bus ride to the stadium, I make sure to start it when we pass Denny's so that when we park, it's going. It gets my blood pumping, I'm ready to go after that."
Newton is just as excited about this season with IU football as he was on his first gameday three years ago, but this year is significant for the senior from Punta Gorda, Fla. Newton is lining up in the offensive backfield after three seasons at linebacker, and he's happy to be returning to his "natural" position.
"I was a running back all my life," Newton said. "When I came in, they needed defensive players so they recruited me at linebacker. I did well, but I felt at the end of the day that I was meant to play running back, so that's why I moved back."
Although Newton is happy to be toting the rock in his final collegiate year, he doesn't take for granted his time at linebacker. On the field, playing linebacker in the Big Ten has enhanced his senses at running back. Newton has a further understanding of the position at this level and the physicality of being a Big Ten linebacker adheres to his running style.
"When you're a Big Ten linebacker, you know you're going to hit all the time, all day," Newton said. "It makes me run harder, and I'm not afraid to hit anybody, so I just think of running through everybody."
Dawson Fletcher is one who can attest for Newton's physical style of play. The fifth-year senior from West Chester, Ohio, lined up next to him as a linebacker. Now, they square off in practice on opposite sides of the line of scrimmage.
"It's kind of funny," Fletcher said about seeing Newton at running back. "You'd think he has been playing running back all four years when you look at him. He's an awesome person, teammate and leader, but it's funny to run into him on the practice field, especially on pass rushes. He's a good pass blocker, too, so when we come off the edge it's a challenge. But it's fun seeing one of your best friends over there doing that."
The Indiana coaching staff tasked Fletcher with a position switch, similar to Newton, during his 2014 redshirt season. Fletcher, a safety for two seasons, moved inside the box to linebacker, and he hasn't looked back since.
"I feel more comfortable," Fletcher said. "I have a different advantage in there because I'm smaller, but I have more speed. I like the overall feel of the position, and the control of the defense. It's a big task, but I like the challenge of being the 'quarterback' on the defensive side. It's a fun position and I've grown to love it."
Position switches are a common occurrence in modern college football. Players enter the college ranks with skill sets at multiple positions and can fill the gaps in the depth chart. In other situations, the skill sets players hold may work better in a different area of the field, now that they're playing at a higher level.
But that's not to say all position changes are fruitful. In the case of Fletcher and Newton, their success stems from the wisdom of their position coaches, running backs coach Deland McCullough and linebackers coach William Inge.
"Coach McCullough has been there for me every step of the way," Newton said. "He's going to get me right, get me some reps, and make sure I know everything. He's said to keep doing what I'm doing, so that's what I've been doing. He's a great guy who's always looking out for me, and I greatly appreciate his help."
The ease of their transitions speak to the culture change brought on by Kevin Wilson and the consistency of Indiana's coaching staff. Now in Wilson's sixth year, the Hoosiers are more receptive to coaching than in years past, and they're buying into the "Indiana way" of doing things.
"It's been a 180-degree turn from my freshman year to now," Fletcher said. "It starts with the coaches and the guys, and how the guys have accepted new coaching methods. The biggest change from my freshman year to now is how receptive we are to coaching. It's a maturity thing, but we also have a great vibe around the team right now."
More than anything else, Newton and Fletcher are ecstatic that they have one more year with IU, playing Big Ten college football. They love their position groups, but it's clear to see that they'd play anywhere they were asked to play if it aided their teammates and the coaching staff.
"It's awesome," Fletcher said. "I wanted to come back because I love this place and the people, and I love my teammates no matter what. It's an awesome experience, something I will cherish forever and something that cannot be replaced. I realize it's a blessing, and I thank God and my family for the opportunity, because I wouldn't be here without either."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Clyde Newton's gameday starts at around the same time as the rest of his teammates, but the feeling really hits him when he passes Denny's.
"I put on this song from Webbie," Newton said. "When we're pulling up on our bus ride to the stadium, I make sure to start it when we pass Denny's so that when we park, it's going. It gets my blood pumping, I'm ready to go after that."
Newton is just as excited about this season with IU football as he was on his first gameday three years ago, but this year is significant for the senior from Punta Gorda, Fla. Newton is lining up in the offensive backfield after three seasons at linebacker, and he's happy to be returning to his "natural" position.
"I was a running back all my life," Newton said. "When I came in, they needed defensive players so they recruited me at linebacker. I did well, but I felt at the end of the day that I was meant to play running back, so that's why I moved back."
Although Newton is happy to be toting the rock in his final collegiate year, he doesn't take for granted his time at linebacker. On the field, playing linebacker in the Big Ten has enhanced his senses at running back. Newton has a further understanding of the position at this level and the physicality of being a Big Ten linebacker adheres to his running style.
"When you're a Big Ten linebacker, you know you're going to hit all the time, all day," Newton said. "It makes me run harder, and I'm not afraid to hit anybody, so I just think of running through everybody."
Dawson Fletcher is one who can attest for Newton's physical style of play. The fifth-year senior from West Chester, Ohio, lined up next to him as a linebacker. Now, they square off in practice on opposite sides of the line of scrimmage.
"It's kind of funny," Fletcher said about seeing Newton at running back. "You'd think he has been playing running back all four years when you look at him. He's an awesome person, teammate and leader, but it's funny to run into him on the practice field, especially on pass rushes. He's a good pass blocker, too, so when we come off the edge it's a challenge. But it's fun seeing one of your best friends over there doing that."
The Indiana coaching staff tasked Fletcher with a position switch, similar to Newton, during his 2014 redshirt season. Fletcher, a safety for two seasons, moved inside the box to linebacker, and he hasn't looked back since.
"I feel more comfortable," Fletcher said. "I have a different advantage in there because I'm smaller, but I have more speed. I like the overall feel of the position, and the control of the defense. It's a big task, but I like the challenge of being the 'quarterback' on the defensive side. It's a fun position and I've grown to love it."
Position switches are a common occurrence in modern college football. Players enter the college ranks with skill sets at multiple positions and can fill the gaps in the depth chart. In other situations, the skill sets players hold may work better in a different area of the field, now that they're playing at a higher level.
But that's not to say all position changes are fruitful. In the case of Fletcher and Newton, their success stems from the wisdom of their position coaches, running backs coach Deland McCullough and linebackers coach William Inge.
"Coach McCullough has been there for me every step of the way," Newton said. "He's going to get me right, get me some reps, and make sure I know everything. He's said to keep doing what I'm doing, so that's what I've been doing. He's a great guy who's always looking out for me, and I greatly appreciate his help."
The ease of their transitions speak to the culture change brought on by Kevin Wilson and the consistency of Indiana's coaching staff. Now in Wilson's sixth year, the Hoosiers are more receptive to coaching than in years past, and they're buying into the "Indiana way" of doing things.
"It's been a 180-degree turn from my freshman year to now," Fletcher said. "It starts with the coaches and the guys, and how the guys have accepted new coaching methods. The biggest change from my freshman year to now is how receptive we are to coaching. It's a maturity thing, but we also have a great vibe around the team right now."
More than anything else, Newton and Fletcher are ecstatic that they have one more year with IU, playing Big Ten college football. They love their position groups, but it's clear to see that they'd play anywhere they were asked to play if it aided their teammates and the coaching staff.
"It's awesome," Fletcher said. "I wanted to come back because I love this place and the people, and I love my teammates no matter what. It's an awesome experience, something I will cherish forever and something that cannot be replaced. I realize it's a blessing, and I thank God and my family for the opportunity, because I wouldn't be here without either."
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