GRAHAM NOTEBOOK: Nile Back in the Flow
8/17/2018 9:17:00 PM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A year ago, right around this time, Mark Hagen was privately bummed.
The Indiana co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach had learned that a weight-lifting injury was going to deprive his Hoosiers of their primary pass-rusher, defensive end Nike
Sykes, for the entire 2017 season.
Hagen feels differently now. He is (ahem) Syked.
Not only is Sykes back healthy for his senior season, Hagen has seen some hopes realized regarding building depth for his unit during fall camp heading into the 2018 season opener Sept. 1 at Florida International.
"Well, I know we've got a lot of guys who can play," Hagen said Friday when asked what he'd learned so far in camp. "Some a lot more than others. But I think we're deeper.
"I had hoped that, going into it, and I think we've seen guys come along."
Hagen already knew he had dependable seniors such as Jacob Robinson, Mike Barwick Jr. and Ja'merez Bowen. And there was experience and potential among juniors Allen Stallings IV, Gavin Everett and Brandon Wilson and sophomores Jerome Johnson and Michael Ziemba.
But there were also intriguing newcomers such as graduate transfer tackle Kayton Samuels – who had 24 starts at Syracuse before earning his psychology degree and arriving in
Bloomington mid-summer – and six freshmen: redshirts Tramar Reece and Alfred Bryant and true frosh James Head Jr., Shamar Jones, Jonathan King and Madison Norris.
Hagen noted Stallings "took a jump for us last year" at weakside end, stepping up in the absence of cousin Sykes. Now Hagen can deploy both cousins, with the versatile Sykes also capable of filling in at strongside end.
"I think we have a couple of guys who can play multiple positions for us, and Sykes is the guy who really comes into play," Hagen said when asked if he had ideal snap-counts in mind for his vets. "How much do you want to play him behind a Gavin Everett (at strongside), and give Allen Stallings more snaps?
"(Sykes has) looked good. He came through spring practice and knocked the rust off. He's building on it. I think he's excited about the season starting … he's a veteran. He'll be ready to go."
Really ready. Sykes has had a long wait.
"I feel great," Sykes said. "I feel I've done a good job taking care of my body, making sure I do everything outside the practice field to make sure I'm ready to step onto that practice field and maximize, and obviously do the same in games."
Sykes, who originally was headed to Notre Dame out of Chicago's Montini Catholic program before opting for IU, redshirted in 2014. He appeared in 11 games in 2015, mainly on special teams, then seemed to really find a stride as the 2016 season wore on – finishing with five sacks, seven tackles for loss and 18 solos.
He seemed primed to break through in 2017. Then came the injury on the final summer workout.
"It was tough," Sykes acknowledged. "I was geared up … I'd had one of the best summers since I'd been here. And then on the very last day …
"It really hurt. It was tough. I had high expectations for myself looking toward last fall and it was really tough not to play.
"Friends, family, coaches were supportive. Coach Hagen let me know he still wanted me to help the other guys who needed to step up … I could be an extra set of eyes for them on the field, for example, as a veteran guy."
Sykes is philosophical about it all now. The injury. The Notre Dame exit. All of it.
"Honestly, I think everything happens for a reason," Sykes said. " … Looking back on it, I don't have any regrets. I don't regret it at all. Indiana has been great to me and for me. I really love this place."
In part because he gets to play for Hagen, who he feels is demanding enough to bring out his best.
"I think he's the perfect coach for me, because he stays on me and doesn't let me let up," Sykes said. "He lets me know what's expected of me and, if I fall short, there are going to be repercussions. He keeps me going."
Hagen had to find a way to get and keep Stallings and others going last fall after Sykes went out. Stallings responded with 25 tackles (15 solo), three sacks, 5.5 TFLs, a forced fumble and a pair of quarterback hurries.
"When Sykes went down, we were in a jam a little bit," Hagen said, "because Allen had played very, very limited snaps as a freshman two seasons ago.
"I thought Allen built on the season last year as it progressed. And he's a confident guy. He made some big plays in crucial games for us last year. And he's a guy who loves football. He just loves to play.
"Getting him into situations where he can rush the quarterback (is good). And he's the type of guy who studies his opponent, so he knows where he can beat a guy … so he's a guy who we certainly need to take advantage of his skill set and feature him at times."
Hagen was asked specifically about a couple of other players Friday and also seemed ready to feature redshirt-soph Johnson, who had 18 tackles (10 solo), a sack and thee TFLs to earn honorable mention BTN Big Ten All-Freshman honors.
"He's already earned it, to be honest with you, after last year," Hagen said of Johnson. "He's very explosive. In that low 290s (size). I think he has a chance to be a special player. I really do. He's come a long way.
"When Jerome gets tired and drained out there, he's got to continue to work through that grind. I think that's the next step for him. I think he sometimes leans on the fact that, 'Hey, Coach
Hagen is going to get me a blow here or there.' But sometimes the situation might not dictate that. You can't just assume, 'Man, after four snaps, I'm coming off the field.
"I do try to get them to think that way, because I do want them to give me everything they've got for four snaps. But he's got to take that next step – he's a tough guy but needs to continue to build on that."
Samuels was another guy Hagen said has had to fight through some conditioning issues, but could well help bolster the middle of IU's defensive front.
"I think he came in a little out of shape – he got here about mid-summer (after finishing up academically at Syracuse) and he was a bit heavy," Hagen said. "I think he'd admit to that.
"We've seen him get his weight down. He's inching closer to that 315-320 mark he played at last year for Syracuse. I think he's comfortable there.
"It's nice when you have a veteran like that, who knows what is effective for him and knows he maybe isn't where he needs to be. So it's not like I'm pulling and tugging and trying to get him to do things. There is immediate buy-in. He knows this is, most likely, his last year of football and he just wants to win. He's a great guy to have in the room."
Sykes, who sees potential in the younger players and newcomers, noted there was some hilarity in the defensive line room concerning young players trying to master a newly-installed defensive gambit.
"We put in a new install and some of the younger guys were out on the field a couple of days ago, and we were cracking up (watching film of it) in the D line room," Sykes said. "They were trying to get lined up and had a full-blown conversation with each other. During the play. At the line of scrimmage, when they were supposed to be lined up. They're all moving around.
"Really confused the heck out of the O-line. And one of our guys ended up coming free (unblocked) because the O-line didn't know what to expect. It was hilarious."
But those younger guys are coming on, building the sort of depth Hagen wants to see.
"It's the next wave of guys – Lance (Alfred) Bryant, Mike Ziemba, Tramar Reece, James Head, those types of guys – and then our incoming guys," Hagen said. "A Kayton Samuels (for example) who you hope can give you depth inside.
"So there was hope. And now, after a couple of weeks, I think there is more validity. I'd probably say some guys will play more than others, but we have a lot of pieces we can roll around and move around in there."
Including IU's best pass rusher.
GAVIN'S JOURNEY
Another piece of film garnering widespread approval among the Hoosiers this week was that of the surprise announcement during practice that former walk-on Gavin Everett was now on scholarship.
"It's awesome," Everett's coach Mark Hagen said. "Everybody's seen the video. He's a pleasure to coach. I knew when he transferred in – coming from a program like Center Grove and
knowing how Eric Moore runs things up there in Greenwood – there'd be immediate buy-in.
"Again, he'll admit that he's not the greatest athlete out there, but, boy, he's got a ton of intangibles. There's not a harder worker out there. And he's consistent.
"Is he a guy you want in there if they're throwing it 60 or 70 times a game? (Maybe not) but, definitely on first and second downs, he's been very effective for us. And there are some things he can give us on passing downs, too.
"I love what he brings to the table. He brings a mindset. A toughness. A grit that just needs to keep permeating not just amongst the D-line but the rest of the defense."
LONG SHOT?
Speaking of videos …
Dan Godsil, IU's senior long snapper, went aloft – about 50 stair steps' worth – to the viewing platform attached to Mellencamp Pavilion that overlooks the Hoosiers' practice fields.
From there, he took his snapping stance and promptly sent a football over the platform's railing and cascading down – directly into a trash can positioned far below on the practice turf sideline.
Long shot? Made. Dead center.
(By all means check it out on Twitter, @DanGodsil)
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A year ago, right around this time, Mark Hagen was privately bummed.
The Indiana co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach had learned that a weight-lifting injury was going to deprive his Hoosiers of their primary pass-rusher, defensive end Nike
Sykes, for the entire 2017 season.
Hagen feels differently now. He is (ahem) Syked.
Not only is Sykes back healthy for his senior season, Hagen has seen some hopes realized regarding building depth for his unit during fall camp heading into the 2018 season opener Sept. 1 at Florida International.
"Well, I know we've got a lot of guys who can play," Hagen said Friday when asked what he'd learned so far in camp. "Some a lot more than others. But I think we're deeper.
"I had hoped that, going into it, and I think we've seen guys come along."
Hagen already knew he had dependable seniors such as Jacob Robinson, Mike Barwick Jr. and Ja'merez Bowen. And there was experience and potential among juniors Allen Stallings IV, Gavin Everett and Brandon Wilson and sophomores Jerome Johnson and Michael Ziemba.
But there were also intriguing newcomers such as graduate transfer tackle Kayton Samuels – who had 24 starts at Syracuse before earning his psychology degree and arriving in
Bloomington mid-summer – and six freshmen: redshirts Tramar Reece and Alfred Bryant and true frosh James Head Jr., Shamar Jones, Jonathan King and Madison Norris.
Hagen noted Stallings "took a jump for us last year" at weakside end, stepping up in the absence of cousin Sykes. Now Hagen can deploy both cousins, with the versatile Sykes also capable of filling in at strongside end.
"I think we have a couple of guys who can play multiple positions for us, and Sykes is the guy who really comes into play," Hagen said when asked if he had ideal snap-counts in mind for his vets. "How much do you want to play him behind a Gavin Everett (at strongside), and give Allen Stallings more snaps?
"(Sykes has) looked good. He came through spring practice and knocked the rust off. He's building on it. I think he's excited about the season starting … he's a veteran. He'll be ready to go."
Really ready. Sykes has had a long wait.
"I feel great," Sykes said. "I feel I've done a good job taking care of my body, making sure I do everything outside the practice field to make sure I'm ready to step onto that practice field and maximize, and obviously do the same in games."
Sykes, who originally was headed to Notre Dame out of Chicago's Montini Catholic program before opting for IU, redshirted in 2014. He appeared in 11 games in 2015, mainly on special teams, then seemed to really find a stride as the 2016 season wore on – finishing with five sacks, seven tackles for loss and 18 solos.
He seemed primed to break through in 2017. Then came the injury on the final summer workout.
"It was tough," Sykes acknowledged. "I was geared up … I'd had one of the best summers since I'd been here. And then on the very last day …
"It really hurt. It was tough. I had high expectations for myself looking toward last fall and it was really tough not to play.
"Friends, family, coaches were supportive. Coach Hagen let me know he still wanted me to help the other guys who needed to step up … I could be an extra set of eyes for them on the field, for example, as a veteran guy."
Sykes is philosophical about it all now. The injury. The Notre Dame exit. All of it.
"Honestly, I think everything happens for a reason," Sykes said. " … Looking back on it, I don't have any regrets. I don't regret it at all. Indiana has been great to me and for me. I really love this place."
In part because he gets to play for Hagen, who he feels is demanding enough to bring out his best.
"I think he's the perfect coach for me, because he stays on me and doesn't let me let up," Sykes said. "He lets me know what's expected of me and, if I fall short, there are going to be repercussions. He keeps me going."
Hagen had to find a way to get and keep Stallings and others going last fall after Sykes went out. Stallings responded with 25 tackles (15 solo), three sacks, 5.5 TFLs, a forced fumble and a pair of quarterback hurries.
"When Sykes went down, we were in a jam a little bit," Hagen said, "because Allen had played very, very limited snaps as a freshman two seasons ago.
"I thought Allen built on the season last year as it progressed. And he's a confident guy. He made some big plays in crucial games for us last year. And he's a guy who loves football. He just loves to play.
"Getting him into situations where he can rush the quarterback (is good). And he's the type of guy who studies his opponent, so he knows where he can beat a guy … so he's a guy who we certainly need to take advantage of his skill set and feature him at times."
Hagen was asked specifically about a couple of other players Friday and also seemed ready to feature redshirt-soph Johnson, who had 18 tackles (10 solo), a sack and thee TFLs to earn honorable mention BTN Big Ten All-Freshman honors.
"He's already earned it, to be honest with you, after last year," Hagen said of Johnson. "He's very explosive. In that low 290s (size). I think he has a chance to be a special player. I really do. He's come a long way.
"When Jerome gets tired and drained out there, he's got to continue to work through that grind. I think that's the next step for him. I think he sometimes leans on the fact that, 'Hey, Coach
Hagen is going to get me a blow here or there.' But sometimes the situation might not dictate that. You can't just assume, 'Man, after four snaps, I'm coming off the field.
"I do try to get them to think that way, because I do want them to give me everything they've got for four snaps. But he's got to take that next step – he's a tough guy but needs to continue to build on that."
Samuels was another guy Hagen said has had to fight through some conditioning issues, but could well help bolster the middle of IU's defensive front.
"I think he came in a little out of shape – he got here about mid-summer (after finishing up academically at Syracuse) and he was a bit heavy," Hagen said. "I think he'd admit to that.
"We've seen him get his weight down. He's inching closer to that 315-320 mark he played at last year for Syracuse. I think he's comfortable there.
"It's nice when you have a veteran like that, who knows what is effective for him and knows he maybe isn't where he needs to be. So it's not like I'm pulling and tugging and trying to get him to do things. There is immediate buy-in. He knows this is, most likely, his last year of football and he just wants to win. He's a great guy to have in the room."
Sykes, who sees potential in the younger players and newcomers, noted there was some hilarity in the defensive line room concerning young players trying to master a newly-installed defensive gambit.
"We put in a new install and some of the younger guys were out on the field a couple of days ago, and we were cracking up (watching film of it) in the D line room," Sykes said. "They were trying to get lined up and had a full-blown conversation with each other. During the play. At the line of scrimmage, when they were supposed to be lined up. They're all moving around.
"Really confused the heck out of the O-line. And one of our guys ended up coming free (unblocked) because the O-line didn't know what to expect. It was hilarious."
But those younger guys are coming on, building the sort of depth Hagen wants to see.
"It's the next wave of guys – Lance (Alfred) Bryant, Mike Ziemba, Tramar Reece, James Head, those types of guys – and then our incoming guys," Hagen said. "A Kayton Samuels (for example) who you hope can give you depth inside.
"So there was hope. And now, after a couple of weeks, I think there is more validity. I'd probably say some guys will play more than others, but we have a lot of pieces we can roll around and move around in there."
Including IU's best pass rusher.
GAVIN'S JOURNEY
Another piece of film garnering widespread approval among the Hoosiers this week was that of the surprise announcement during practice that former walk-on Gavin Everett was now on scholarship.
"It's awesome," Everett's coach Mark Hagen said. "Everybody's seen the video. He's a pleasure to coach. I knew when he transferred in – coming from a program like Center Grove and
knowing how Eric Moore runs things up there in Greenwood – there'd be immediate buy-in.
"Again, he'll admit that he's not the greatest athlete out there, but, boy, he's got a ton of intangibles. There's not a harder worker out there. And he's consistent.
"Is he a guy you want in there if they're throwing it 60 or 70 times a game? (Maybe not) but, definitely on first and second downs, he's been very effective for us. And there are some things he can give us on passing downs, too.
"I love what he brings to the table. He brings a mindset. A toughness. A grit that just needs to keep permeating not just amongst the D-line but the rest of the defense."
LONG SHOT?
Speaking of videos …
Dan Godsil, IU's senior long snapper, went aloft – about 50 stair steps' worth – to the viewing platform attached to Mellencamp Pavilion that overlooks the Hoosiers' practice fields.
From there, he took his snapping stance and promptly sent a football over the platform's railing and cascading down – directly into a trash can positioned far below on the practice turf sideline.
Long shot? Made. Dead center.
(By all means check it out on Twitter, @DanGodsil)
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