Terry Tallen Complex Boosts Hoosier Energy, Commitment

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Bells and whistles matter.

If you don't understand that, you don't understand college football recruiting.

Indiana gets it; head coach Tom Allen embraces it; and the players -- present and future -- are loving it.

Yes, we're talking about the just-opened multi-million-dollar, 25,000-square-foot testament to Cream & Crimson commitment called the Terry Tallen Indiana Football Complex.

Named for Tallen, the former team captain on IU's 1979 Holiday Bowl champ who donated $2 million to the project, it includes the Trent and Julie Green Locker Room, Dr. John Miller Training Room, a team lounge and enough other amenities to show the Hoosiers are building for program-changing success.

"I have been in a lot of different (locker rooms) over the years," Allen says, "and it's hard to find a better one. It has so much space for the guys.

"When you compare it to what we used to be in, and then what they were in the last few months … it's a really sharp, classy look that I know our guys are proud of. We want to take great care of it."

For the record, IU has used the visitors' locker room at Memorial Stadium for the last few months while the upgrade was happening.

"Have you ever been in there?" Allen asks a media member, who says no. "Good. The new one is a lot nicer. I will leave it at that."

Recruiting is certain to benefit. In fact, it already has. The Hoosiers put this week's locker room debut on FaceTime with recruits and their parents, then sent out photos.

The goal is to expand on the momentum generated by landing perhaps the best recruiting classes in program history.

"We have recruited at the highest level we ever have the last couple years," Allen says. "We are investing in football at the highest level since I have been here. And we said (to recruits) this should show you and continue to prove to you what we are building here with the commitment from our administration. We challenged them to want to be a part of it.

"We are trying to capitalize on everything we have. It's a huge a recruiting tool. You still have to play football, but (recruits) notice the bells and whistles and things that show that football is important."

Tuesday night's locker room debut also boosted current Hoosier players' energy levels in what is normally the toughest part of fall camp. So did a day off spent at Lake Monroe.

"This is the week where you hit a wall, especially the freshmen going through this for the first time," Allen says. "The install (of the offense and defense) builds and it gets confusing. Everyone is still barking at them and then they are getting tired, mentally and physically.

"That's why we positioned the lake day at this time of the camp so you can (give) them a physical break, but also get them out their dorm rooms, out of their apartments, get them in a hotel there at Lake Monroe and just have a nice, relaxing day hanging out, chilling with each other."

The Hoosiers were back at practice on Thursday and delivered the effort Allen demands.

"This is a part of camp where you have to push them. You have to help them see the light because there isn't a whole lot of light yet.

"It's a critical time. We cannot afford to miss a day to keep getting better. That's why every rep is critical and I just keep hounding our guys about that and preaching that to them, our coaches and players. And I thought they responded well."

Development of the offensive and defensive lines remains a top priority. In terms of which one has looked the best in camp, Allen says, "I would probably give the advantage to the offensive line, because of the maturity of those three seniors (Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak) makes a big difference.

"(Offensive lineman) Caleb Jones is playing at a high level. That group has a chance to really jell into a special group. They have the edge in experience, mass and power.

"I think the D-line has improved a lot. There are more good players there that we are just trying to bring along and give us depth. I think that's a big part of it.

"To me, the biggest key is going to be the (backups) and the next guys on the O-line. It has to be. That's a big focus for us, how they come along and find out who that next guy in is at each spot."

Another offensive lineman who has stood out is Harry Crider at left guard. He's a 6-4, 311-pound junior set to become a starter for the first time after two years as a backup.

"I think he has grown," Allen says. "My challenge to him is to continue to be a more physical presence on the line of scrimmage.

"He's a powerful kid in that weight room. He may be one of our strongest squatters we've got and I see more of that explosive power that you saw (former standout lineman Wes Martin) play with.

"He hardly speaks. I thought Wes was quiet, but Harry is even quieter. He doesn't say anything, but I'm good with that. Just stay in your lane and do your job. I just think it's a matter of confidence.

"It's been good to see him rise up. He has to keep growing. He's still not where we want him to be in terms of all the little things, none of them are, but I'm really proud of the way he's responded.

"We challenged him and Caleb (Jones) to rise up and (fill) those voids that were left (from graduated offensive linemen Martin, Brandon Knight and Nick Linder) and do a great job. Harry is a big part of our offensive line. I expect him to keep getting better."

IU is building toward Saturday's second camp scrimmage. Allen calls it "Preseason Game No. 2" and it will be the last time the Hoosiers go full-bore under game-like conditions.

"This will be the last time to really go live," Allen says. "It will be the last time in game-setting situations. We are going to move the ball a lot. We want to get a lot of red zone work. Then we will probably put the ball on the 25-yard line and drive it. Then if we don't get enough inside the 5-yard line, we will put the ball down there. If we don't get enough inside the 10-yard line, we will put it down there. We also want to do some 2-minute drills with the officials there. So we have some specific things to focus on."

The scrimmage will go a long way toward deciding a starting quarterback. Peyton Ramsey, Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle remain in a fierce competition.

"It's going to be one of the final evaluation pieces for sure," Allen says. "It may not be THE final one, but it is going to be big."

Indiana University Athletics

Terry Tallen Complex Boosts Hoosier Energy, Commitment

Related News

Players Mentioned

Harry Crider

Coy Cronk

Caleb Jones

Brandon Knight

Nick Linder

Hunter Littlejohn

Wes Martin

Michael Penix Jr.

Peyton Ramsey

Simon Stepaniak

Jack Tuttle

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