Embracing the ‘Dogs’ – Freshman Matthew Bedford Ready to Produce
7/16/2019 10:18:00 AM | Football
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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana freshman offensive lineman Matthew Bedford sees the proof every day. How could he not? Talent doesn't hide. Demanding coaching won't concede. Hard work doesn't deceive.
So here he is, part of a media gathering at Memorial Stadium building toward August camp, pumped by a Cream & Crimson freshmen group that rates as the best recruiting class in program history.
"We got a lot of dogs in this class," he says with a smile.
For the record, that is a very good thing.
"We have a lot of guys who want to compete," Bedford adds. "A lot of guys who want to get better. I'm glad I'm in a group of guys who have the mindset I do -- get better and want to compete."
Competition is among the reasons why Bedford came to IU from Tennessee, resisting Southeastern Conference lure to become a Hoosier, and if you think it was an easy get, think again.
Bedford is 6-6 and 300-pound-plus proof that the Hoosiers under coach Tom Allen can get it done. He was a dominant offensive lineman at Cordova High School, good enough to make the Blue-Grey All-America Bowl and the East-West All-Star Classic. He was rated as the nation's No. 80 offensive tackle by 247Sports and the No. 25 prospect in the state of Tennessee by Rivals.com.
"He was the most challenging," Allen says of this freshman class.
For good reason. Bedford is long, athletic and full of potential, exactly the kind of player SEC teams are known for. The fact that he lived in SEC country added to the challenge.
The Hoosiers were up to it, beating out Mississippi State and South Carolina to land him. Special teams coordinator William Inge and offensive line coach Darren Hiller played huge roles.
"It was a battle," Allen says. "Bill Inge did a phenomenal job with the family. Coach Hiller did a great job, as well.
"People ask, how do you get some of these guys? We just be who we are."
Who is that? It starts with doing it the right way. Allen doesn't negative recruit. He focuses on IU's many positives, including a strong family atmosphere.
"When (parents) know that you're going to love their son more as a person than as a player, it resonates," he says.
"That isn't just talk. It's real. Everything we say to them is true. We're going to be very up front and honest with them and show them what it's like to be here."
It also helped that Bedford had a Hoosier connection in receiver Jacolby Hewitt, who redshirted as a freshman last season. They had been teammates at Cordova High School.
Bedford joins an offensive line led by seniors Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak. They have combined for 46 starts, 36 by Cronk.
They spearhead a work ethic Bedford embraces.
"They are guys who want to work. Guys who want to win. I'm right there with them."
Bedford's drive to maximize his time at IU started by skipping his final high school semester to enroll early.
It's paid off in a big way -- literally.
He arrived weighing 260 pounds. He's now pushing 310 pounds, which is crucial to Big Ten offensive line success.
"I have a whole lot of weight now. I feel my body getting adjusted to it. Now I'm just ready to compete."
That reaffirms his early enrollment decision.
"It's been very good to me. I feel I've developed a lot strength and conditioning wise. I'm a lot faster and stronger. I feel I can play some Big Ten ball."
Allen has seen the advantages for Bedford and fellow freshman offensive lineman Michael Katic.
"To be thrust in to this element right out of high school, both have done some good things. They have a chance to be involved earlier than you might expect, but they have a long ways to go, as well. They've caught my eye."
Benefits to seven months in the IU system go well beyond the physical.
"Coming in I felt I needed to be a lot more confident," Bedford says. "Now I am in what I need to know. I feel I'm able to produce."
The Hoosiers open the 2019 campaign with a noon ET kickoff against Ball State at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Tickets for IU's six home games are available by clicking here, by phone at 1-866-IUSPORTS or in person at the Assembly Hall Ticket Office. IU will welcome Eastern Illinois (Sept. 7), Ohio State (Sept. 14), Connecticut (Sept. 21), Rutgers (Oct. 12 – Homecoming), Northwestern (Nov. 2) and Michigan (Nov. 23) to Memorial Stadium.
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana freshman offensive lineman Matthew Bedford sees the proof every day. How could he not? Talent doesn't hide. Demanding coaching won't concede. Hard work doesn't deceive.
So here he is, part of a media gathering at Memorial Stadium building toward August camp, pumped by a Cream & Crimson freshmen group that rates as the best recruiting class in program history.
"We got a lot of dogs in this class," he says with a smile.
For the record, that is a very good thing.
"We have a lot of guys who want to compete," Bedford adds. "A lot of guys who want to get better. I'm glad I'm in a group of guys who have the mindset I do -- get better and want to compete."
Competition is among the reasons why Bedford came to IU from Tennessee, resisting Southeastern Conference lure to become a Hoosier, and if you think it was an easy get, think again.
Bedford is 6-6 and 300-pound-plus proof that the Hoosiers under coach Tom Allen can get it done. He was a dominant offensive lineman at Cordova High School, good enough to make the Blue-Grey All-America Bowl and the East-West All-Star Classic. He was rated as the nation's No. 80 offensive tackle by 247Sports and the No. 25 prospect in the state of Tennessee by Rivals.com.
"He was the most challenging," Allen says of this freshman class.
For good reason. Bedford is long, athletic and full of potential, exactly the kind of player SEC teams are known for. The fact that he lived in SEC country added to the challenge.
The Hoosiers were up to it, beating out Mississippi State and South Carolina to land him. Special teams coordinator William Inge and offensive line coach Darren Hiller played huge roles.
"It was a battle," Allen says. "Bill Inge did a phenomenal job with the family. Coach Hiller did a great job, as well.
"People ask, how do you get some of these guys? We just be who we are."
Who is that? It starts with doing it the right way. Allen doesn't negative recruit. He focuses on IU's many positives, including a strong family atmosphere.
"When (parents) know that you're going to love their son more as a person than as a player, it resonates," he says.
"That isn't just talk. It's real. Everything we say to them is true. We're going to be very up front and honest with them and show them what it's like to be here."
It also helped that Bedford had a Hoosier connection in receiver Jacolby Hewitt, who redshirted as a freshman last season. They had been teammates at Cordova High School.
Bedford joins an offensive line led by seniors Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak. They have combined for 46 starts, 36 by Cronk.
They spearhead a work ethic Bedford embraces.
"They are guys who want to work. Guys who want to win. I'm right there with them."
Bedford's drive to maximize his time at IU started by skipping his final high school semester to enroll early.
It's paid off in a big way -- literally.
He arrived weighing 260 pounds. He's now pushing 310 pounds, which is crucial to Big Ten offensive line success.
"I have a whole lot of weight now. I feel my body getting adjusted to it. Now I'm just ready to compete."
That reaffirms his early enrollment decision.
"It's been very good to me. I feel I've developed a lot strength and conditioning wise. I'm a lot faster and stronger. I feel I can play some Big Ten ball."
Allen has seen the advantages for Bedford and fellow freshman offensive lineman Michael Katic.
"To be thrust in to this element right out of high school, both have done some good things. They have a chance to be involved earlier than you might expect, but they have a long ways to go, as well. They've caught my eye."
Benefits to seven months in the IU system go well beyond the physical.
"Coming in I felt I needed to be a lot more confident," Bedford says. "Now I am in what I need to know. I feel I'm able to produce."
The Hoosiers open the 2019 campaign with a noon ET kickoff against Ball State at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Tickets for IU's six home games are available by clicking here, by phone at 1-866-IUSPORTS or in person at the Assembly Hall Ticket Office. IU will welcome Eastern Illinois (Sept. 7), Ohio State (Sept. 14), Connecticut (Sept. 21), Rutgers (Oct. 12 – Homecoming), Northwestern (Nov. 2) and Michigan (Nov. 23) to Memorial Stadium.
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