Indiana University Athletics
Graham Notebook: Dawkins, Freshmen Arrive on Campus
6/7/2018 1:08:00 PM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON – As a Californian who played his college football at Arizona, Brandon Dawkins is getting his first real look at roadways subject to routine freezing and thawing.
"The roads are kind of bad," Dawkins said of a trip this past week between Bloomington and Indianapolis. "Lot of potholes. Learned that pretty quick."
Dawkins, who arrived last Tuesday as a graduate transfer quarterback for Indiana University's football program, is still getting acclimated to his new surroundings.
And he doesn't just assume the road ahead will be smooth sailing.
Competition will determine who replaces graduated IU quarterback Richard Lagow.
The Hoosiers return redshirt sophomore Peyton Ramsey, who started four games and completed 65 percent of his passes before injury truncated his season last fall, and welcomed in freshman Michael Penix Jr., a January enrollee who already showed promise during spring practice.
None have the seasoning of Dawkins, who redshirted in 2014 before playing three seasons at Arizona, starting 14 times during the last two. He threw for 2,414 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while also rushing for 1,582 yards and 20 scores for the Wildcats.
Right now, Dawkins is still learning his new teammates' names. And doesn't want to come across as any sort of designated heir apparent.
"Want to let them know I'm here to help in any way I can," Dawkins said while meeting the media Tuesday. "I'm not just some jerk coming in to steal somebody's job.
"Come in and help in any way I can, not try to do too much, too fast. I've only been here a week. I'm not going to expect to just jump in and run the program. I'm not coming in to step on any toes ... I want to lend a helping hand."
One way he can definitely do that is with his legs.
Asked to describe his approach to play for fans as yet unfamiliar with him, Dawkins replied:
"Explosive, if I could describe it in one word. Just the ability to make plays with my arm and my legs. To extend plays, if a play goes bad. My ability to take off from the pocket and make plays. I can take up chunks of yardage quickly. If they give me the slightest opening, I might take it 60 or 70 yards … the ability to adapt and to keep flowing."
He's still trying to adapt and get into the flow of things in Bloomington. He applied for an ID card and was denied. He tried to make it from Memorial Stadium back to his new home without directions Monday and got lost.
But in some important ways, he's already part of a family feeling he sensed when making his recruiting visit to IU in late March. And he liked what he saw from offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan – not inconsistent with the style employed at Arizona, where Dawkins played for former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
"(I saw) the family feel of the program," Dawkins said. "I really like Coach DeBord, his offensive mind, everything he does. The quarterbacks coach, a young guy, I kind of always liked younger quarterback coaches who played the game. Pretty hard to teach this position when you haven't really been in the heat of the battle.
"(Sheridan) played in the Big Ten, at Michigan. Actually played for Rich Rod. So we've had some war stories to talk about."
Dawkins saw other things he really liked during that visit. Fifth-year senior wideout Luke Timian, his official host for the visit and himself a transfer to IU in 2015, showed him something.
"When I came on my visit, they had a little scrimmage, and I saw Luke Timian stay after and he caught, like, 200 extra balls from a JUGS machine," Dawkins said. "Little things like that showed the players are invested.
"(IU football) seems really important to the guys here and that made me fall in love with it pretty quick. You want people in your program and on your team who are enamored by the sport. Because that's kind of how I am."
And the veteran of the Pac 12 wars liked the talent level he saw, including on an offensive line that returns every player on its 2017 depth chart while also welcoming some additions.
"Watching the film on some of the guys we've had, that we still have, I'm excited for the talent we have in this program," Dawkins said. "Just right off the bat, seeing the size of some of the guys we have down here, compared to Arizona.
"You kind of see the difference in (style of) play between the different conferences. I see a lot more size (here), especially on the offensive line. Definitely helps establish a running game, which is kind of second hand in the Pac 12 … unless you're Stanford or somebody. Just being able to establish our run game, I think, is going to be huge,
especially in the Big Ten. It plays a big part in the Big Ten.
And once committed to IU, Dawkins has watched film and sees both similarities and contrasts to Arizona's offense.
"The biggest contrast is just some of the reads they have on offense (at IU), having a pure progression offense," Dawkins said. "That's not what we did at Arizona. It was a lot more run-pass (option). Obviously, we're gonna try to incorporate that because that plays to my skill set, the ability to run and pass and be a dual threat. It's what the position is — being able to attack the defense from all different angles and including myself, which takes some strain off the running backs.
"Just having those pure progression reads makes it a lot smoother and makes the passing attack, I believe…stronger. It's more of an NFL style-based type of offense. Pure progression is what they do in the professional league, having your first progression, then checking down to your second, third and then checking down to your running back.
Having that offense to utilize my pass game more, I'm kind of looking forward to it."
Dawkins noted both Arizona and IU like to play at a fast tempo, so he's already somewhat used to that. Now he wants to spend the summer making sure he's in top shape and has a good handle on the nuances of the Hoosier offense.
And he has some personal goals he'd prefer to keep private for now.
But his main is this:
Help Indiana win and go bowling.
"I want to do whatever I can, do my part to put more wins in the win-loss column for this team," he said, "to end on a positive note, go to a good bowl and have an overall really good season."
ILLINOIS BOYS AT TIGHT END
Indiana tight end Ian Thomas was the 101st selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, headed to the Carolina Panthers, and the Hoosiers looked to the state of Illinois to help replenish the depth at that position in their 2018 recruiting class.
TJ Ivy of Chicago Marist (6-foot-5, 227 pounds) and Matt Bjorson of Hinsdale Central (6-3, 230) both met the media Tuesday and are anxious to augment a unit that includes returnees Ryan Watercutter, Shaun Bonner, Austin Dorris and Peyton Hendershot.
Bjorson said they were already well aware that IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, who also serves as the tight ends coach, has mentored that position for both the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears.
"He caught my eye, because of all of the different programs at both the NFL and college level," Bjorson said of DeBord. "His knowledge of the whole offensive game – being the offensive coordinator and the tight ends coach – he really has the whole package. He can teach the whole offense and knows what he's talking about."
Bjorson, who had 25 catches for 411 yards and eight TDs as a prep senior, wants to get bigger quickly in positioning himself to potentially help right away this fall.
"The biggest things, probably, for me, is to get my weight and size up, my strength," Bjorson said. "To be able to physically compete. (I'm at) 230. The goal is 245. Three months to get 15 pounds. Not too bad.
"And we're starting to learn the playbook now. As much as I can get that down, the route-running and all, will help me get on the field."
Ivy – who also wrestled at Marist and, like Bjorson, was a track and field standout -- acknowledged the natural desire to play right away.
"It's always the mindset and always the goal," Ivy said. "We're going to get in here and work and get to whatever weight they want me to be at, and we're going to get into that playbook."
And the freshmen are already enrolled in class at IU. Ivy is getting attuned quickly.
"We had class and it was pretty cool to be able to find where everything was at, to get transportation between here and the dorms and the stadium," Ivy said. "It's been pretty easy getting back and forth, and getting acclimated with the campus.
"The first day was pretty chill. We didn't really have anything going on. Got a chance to go around and get a feel for the campus and everything. Right now we're all in single (dorm) rooms. But we have class, workouts, study hall. And at the dorm, we're usually in each other's rooms, just hanging around and getting to know each other."
One thing to know about both freshmen tight ends:
They're winners. Ivy and Bjorson helped their teams to unbeaten regular seasons in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
FAMILIAR FACES
Bjorson had previously met IU soccer second team All-American Andrew Gutman while both were at Hinsdale Central, and also knew of graduated IU first team All-American Grant Lillard, another Hinsdale Central grad.
Incoming freshman Cam Jones has already seen some familiar faces on campus, too, with fellow Memphis-area products Jacolby Hewitt and Jaylin Williams joining him in IU's 2018 recruiting class.
"Yeah, my boys Jaylin Williams and Jacolby Hewitt are from Memphis," said Jones, who played at Saint Benedict at Auburndale. "I played against Jaylin Williams. That kid is fast. He's going to be a real good Hoosier. He makes big plays. Can't wait to be on the field with him."
Williams is a defensive back from Germantown and Hewitt is a wideout from Cordova. Jones played both linebacker and wideout in high school, and his position at IU is still undetermined – he could play linebacker or perhaps the hybrid linebacker/safety spot the Hoosiers call the "husky."
So Jones is already soliciting advice from both veteran linebacker Reakwon Jones and husky Marcelino Ball.
"I've been kind of talking to Reakwon Jones and Marcelino Ball … and it helps me," Jones said. "Yeah, we're competing, but just for them to teach me the reps, teach me how things go, it's great.
"Marcelino is a great guy and a great athlete and I'm just ready to get out on the field with him. Me and Marcelino were just working out, outside, after practice. Just trying to put in that extra effort. I see what that's doing for them, and I just want to be at that level. We do technique work. We might hit the ladder. We do footwork, backing up, getting in and out of breaks."
Jones said his first days as a Hoosier have been demanding, but rewarding.
"It was tough," Jones said of IU's opening summer workout. "But it just shows you that you've got to grind. You've got to work for everything you want. Nothing comes easy. Pain is temporary."
Freshman linebacker Aaron Casey concurred.
"Yesterday was probably the hardest workout I've ever done," Casey said. "My arms are sore. It's hard to move. They say it gets better, though. And I can't wait to see how big I become."
Casey played both linebacker and safety at Douglasville, Ga., but is focused on linebacker for now.
"I played safety in high school, free safety, and they liked the way I could move in space and make a play on the ball," he said. "They're trying to convert that into playing linebacker, and that's what I plan to do.
"I played (linebacker) my freshman year. From then on, I played safety. I know I can do it, but I guess I have more experience in different places. Just talking to some older (linebackers) like Reakwon Jones, Mo Burnam, T.J. Roof helps – just connecting with them and asking them questions during team meetings. How to do things the right way … it's been fun, a good experience. I can't wait to see what all we do."
Casey said he knows he has to get himself to "the same level, so I'll be able to compete at the same level on the field."
Jones agreed, saying they know they're not in high school anymore.
"In high school we had classes and then one practice and that was it," Jones said. "Now, with class, study hall, practice, weight lifting, it's a lot to take in.
"In high school … you're supposed to stand out. Especially getting recruited by the Big Ten. Then coming to a program like this, everybody's good. And we play against good competition. That keeps telling me, 'Go work for what you want.' "
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON – As a Californian who played his college football at Arizona, Brandon Dawkins is getting his first real look at roadways subject to routine freezing and thawing.
"The roads are kind of bad," Dawkins said of a trip this past week between Bloomington and Indianapolis. "Lot of potholes. Learned that pretty quick."
Dawkins, who arrived last Tuesday as a graduate transfer quarterback for Indiana University's football program, is still getting acclimated to his new surroundings.
And he doesn't just assume the road ahead will be smooth sailing.
Competition will determine who replaces graduated IU quarterback Richard Lagow.
The Hoosiers return redshirt sophomore Peyton Ramsey, who started four games and completed 65 percent of his passes before injury truncated his season last fall, and welcomed in freshman Michael Penix Jr., a January enrollee who already showed promise during spring practice.
None have the seasoning of Dawkins, who redshirted in 2014 before playing three seasons at Arizona, starting 14 times during the last two. He threw for 2,414 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while also rushing for 1,582 yards and 20 scores for the Wildcats.
Right now, Dawkins is still learning his new teammates' names. And doesn't want to come across as any sort of designated heir apparent.
"Want to let them know I'm here to help in any way I can," Dawkins said while meeting the media Tuesday. "I'm not just some jerk coming in to steal somebody's job.
"Come in and help in any way I can, not try to do too much, too fast. I've only been here a week. I'm not going to expect to just jump in and run the program. I'm not coming in to step on any toes ... I want to lend a helping hand."
One way he can definitely do that is with his legs.
Asked to describe his approach to play for fans as yet unfamiliar with him, Dawkins replied:
"Explosive, if I could describe it in one word. Just the ability to make plays with my arm and my legs. To extend plays, if a play goes bad. My ability to take off from the pocket and make plays. I can take up chunks of yardage quickly. If they give me the slightest opening, I might take it 60 or 70 yards … the ability to adapt and to keep flowing."
He's still trying to adapt and get into the flow of things in Bloomington. He applied for an ID card and was denied. He tried to make it from Memorial Stadium back to his new home without directions Monday and got lost.
But in some important ways, he's already part of a family feeling he sensed when making his recruiting visit to IU in late March. And he liked what he saw from offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan – not inconsistent with the style employed at Arizona, where Dawkins played for former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
"(I saw) the family feel of the program," Dawkins said. "I really like Coach DeBord, his offensive mind, everything he does. The quarterbacks coach, a young guy, I kind of always liked younger quarterback coaches who played the game. Pretty hard to teach this position when you haven't really been in the heat of the battle.
"(Sheridan) played in the Big Ten, at Michigan. Actually played for Rich Rod. So we've had some war stories to talk about."
Dawkins saw other things he really liked during that visit. Fifth-year senior wideout Luke Timian, his official host for the visit and himself a transfer to IU in 2015, showed him something.
"When I came on my visit, they had a little scrimmage, and I saw Luke Timian stay after and he caught, like, 200 extra balls from a JUGS machine," Dawkins said. "Little things like that showed the players are invested.
"(IU football) seems really important to the guys here and that made me fall in love with it pretty quick. You want people in your program and on your team who are enamored by the sport. Because that's kind of how I am."
And the veteran of the Pac 12 wars liked the talent level he saw, including on an offensive line that returns every player on its 2017 depth chart while also welcoming some additions.
"Watching the film on some of the guys we've had, that we still have, I'm excited for the talent we have in this program," Dawkins said. "Just right off the bat, seeing the size of some of the guys we have down here, compared to Arizona.
"You kind of see the difference in (style of) play between the different conferences. I see a lot more size (here), especially on the offensive line. Definitely helps establish a running game, which is kind of second hand in the Pac 12 … unless you're Stanford or somebody. Just being able to establish our run game, I think, is going to be huge,
especially in the Big Ten. It plays a big part in the Big Ten.
And once committed to IU, Dawkins has watched film and sees both similarities and contrasts to Arizona's offense.
"The biggest contrast is just some of the reads they have on offense (at IU), having a pure progression offense," Dawkins said. "That's not what we did at Arizona. It was a lot more run-pass (option). Obviously, we're gonna try to incorporate that because that plays to my skill set, the ability to run and pass and be a dual threat. It's what the position is — being able to attack the defense from all different angles and including myself, which takes some strain off the running backs.
"Just having those pure progression reads makes it a lot smoother and makes the passing attack, I believe…stronger. It's more of an NFL style-based type of offense. Pure progression is what they do in the professional league, having your first progression, then checking down to your second, third and then checking down to your running back.
Having that offense to utilize my pass game more, I'm kind of looking forward to it."
Dawkins noted both Arizona and IU like to play at a fast tempo, so he's already somewhat used to that. Now he wants to spend the summer making sure he's in top shape and has a good handle on the nuances of the Hoosier offense.
And he has some personal goals he'd prefer to keep private for now.
But his main is this:
Help Indiana win and go bowling.
"I want to do whatever I can, do my part to put more wins in the win-loss column for this team," he said, "to end on a positive note, go to a good bowl and have an overall really good season."
ILLINOIS BOYS AT TIGHT END
Indiana tight end Ian Thomas was the 101st selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, headed to the Carolina Panthers, and the Hoosiers looked to the state of Illinois to help replenish the depth at that position in their 2018 recruiting class.
TJ Ivy of Chicago Marist (6-foot-5, 227 pounds) and Matt Bjorson of Hinsdale Central (6-3, 230) both met the media Tuesday and are anxious to augment a unit that includes returnees Ryan Watercutter, Shaun Bonner, Austin Dorris and Peyton Hendershot.
Bjorson said they were already well aware that IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, who also serves as the tight ends coach, has mentored that position for both the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears.
"He caught my eye, because of all of the different programs at both the NFL and college level," Bjorson said of DeBord. "His knowledge of the whole offensive game – being the offensive coordinator and the tight ends coach – he really has the whole package. He can teach the whole offense and knows what he's talking about."
Bjorson, who had 25 catches for 411 yards and eight TDs as a prep senior, wants to get bigger quickly in positioning himself to potentially help right away this fall.
"The biggest things, probably, for me, is to get my weight and size up, my strength," Bjorson said. "To be able to physically compete. (I'm at) 230. The goal is 245. Three months to get 15 pounds. Not too bad.
"And we're starting to learn the playbook now. As much as I can get that down, the route-running and all, will help me get on the field."
Ivy – who also wrestled at Marist and, like Bjorson, was a track and field standout -- acknowledged the natural desire to play right away.
"It's always the mindset and always the goal," Ivy said. "We're going to get in here and work and get to whatever weight they want me to be at, and we're going to get into that playbook."
And the freshmen are already enrolled in class at IU. Ivy is getting attuned quickly.
"We had class and it was pretty cool to be able to find where everything was at, to get transportation between here and the dorms and the stadium," Ivy said. "It's been pretty easy getting back and forth, and getting acclimated with the campus.
"The first day was pretty chill. We didn't really have anything going on. Got a chance to go around and get a feel for the campus and everything. Right now we're all in single (dorm) rooms. But we have class, workouts, study hall. And at the dorm, we're usually in each other's rooms, just hanging around and getting to know each other."
One thing to know about both freshmen tight ends:
They're winners. Ivy and Bjorson helped their teams to unbeaten regular seasons in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
FAMILIAR FACES
Bjorson had previously met IU soccer second team All-American Andrew Gutman while both were at Hinsdale Central, and also knew of graduated IU first team All-American Grant Lillard, another Hinsdale Central grad.
Incoming freshman Cam Jones has already seen some familiar faces on campus, too, with fellow Memphis-area products Jacolby Hewitt and Jaylin Williams joining him in IU's 2018 recruiting class.
"Yeah, my boys Jaylin Williams and Jacolby Hewitt are from Memphis," said Jones, who played at Saint Benedict at Auburndale. "I played against Jaylin Williams. That kid is fast. He's going to be a real good Hoosier. He makes big plays. Can't wait to be on the field with him."
Williams is a defensive back from Germantown and Hewitt is a wideout from Cordova. Jones played both linebacker and wideout in high school, and his position at IU is still undetermined – he could play linebacker or perhaps the hybrid linebacker/safety spot the Hoosiers call the "husky."
So Jones is already soliciting advice from both veteran linebacker Reakwon Jones and husky Marcelino Ball.
"I've been kind of talking to Reakwon Jones and Marcelino Ball … and it helps me," Jones said. "Yeah, we're competing, but just for them to teach me the reps, teach me how things go, it's great.
"Marcelino is a great guy and a great athlete and I'm just ready to get out on the field with him. Me and Marcelino were just working out, outside, after practice. Just trying to put in that extra effort. I see what that's doing for them, and I just want to be at that level. We do technique work. We might hit the ladder. We do footwork, backing up, getting in and out of breaks."
Jones said his first days as a Hoosier have been demanding, but rewarding.
"It was tough," Jones said of IU's opening summer workout. "But it just shows you that you've got to grind. You've got to work for everything you want. Nothing comes easy. Pain is temporary."
Freshman linebacker Aaron Casey concurred.
"Yesterday was probably the hardest workout I've ever done," Casey said. "My arms are sore. It's hard to move. They say it gets better, though. And I can't wait to see how big I become."
Casey played both linebacker and safety at Douglasville, Ga., but is focused on linebacker for now.
"I played safety in high school, free safety, and they liked the way I could move in space and make a play on the ball," he said. "They're trying to convert that into playing linebacker, and that's what I plan to do.
"I played (linebacker) my freshman year. From then on, I played safety. I know I can do it, but I guess I have more experience in different places. Just talking to some older (linebackers) like Reakwon Jones, Mo Burnam, T.J. Roof helps – just connecting with them and asking them questions during team meetings. How to do things the right way … it's been fun, a good experience. I can't wait to see what all we do."
Casey said he knows he has to get himself to "the same level, so I'll be able to compete at the same level on the field."
Jones agreed, saying they know they're not in high school anymore.
"In high school we had classes and then one practice and that was it," Jones said. "Now, with class, study hall, practice, weight lifting, it's a lot to take in.
"In high school … you're supposed to stand out. Especially getting recruited by the Big Ten. Then coming to a program like this, everybody's good. And we play against good competition. That keeps telling me, 'Go work for what you want.' "
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