Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO COLUMN: Speaking Up – Micah McFadden Emerging as IU’s Vocal Leader
1/1/2020 9:44:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Quiet is great for libraries, not for football teams. Indiana head coach Tom Allen delivers that message with the subtlety of a hammer. Linebacker Micah McFadden is a frequent target.
For good reason.
As a sophomore, McFadden has emerged as the Hoosiers' leading tackler (56), a consistently versatile performer (9 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1.5 sacks) at a position that demands it, and more.
Such as talking.
With IU (8-4) set to play Tennessee (7-5) in Thursday night's TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, a talkative McFadden is crucial to Hoosier success.
"I challenged Micah about being more verbal," Allen said. "Being louder. Talking with more confidence.
"He's a quiet guy, but he plays with so much effort. I love how hard he plays. He gives us so much. He's growing and getting better every week."
Fellow Florida linebacker Reakwon Jones is more of a finished product, which is what you'd expect from a senior. He ranks third on the team with 50 tackles.
Jones has overcome the challenges of Big Ten football, as well as Hurricane Michael's Category 5 devastation that destroyed his family's home in the fall of 2018.
Allen's message to Jones then, and now -- "Appreciate what you have."
"Make the most of every moment; hug your family; love your family; don't take any of it for granted. We are never promised tomorrow.
"Reakwon has been one of those guys who has lived that. He has been so consistent in his choices and the way he has worked.
"He cares about his family so much, and they have had a hard time. My challenge to him is to keep doing what he's doing so he can help his family the most and get his degree.
"If he is blessed enough to play professionally, that is awesome. If not, he has a great degree and can provide for his family.
"His mom is proud of him, and she should be. He's a special kid."
McFadden and Jones spearhead a defense that needs to come up big on Thursday night if the Hoosiers are to reach nine victories for just the third time in school history.
"The linebackers run the defense," Allen said. "That's what that position demands. It demands production and leadership.
"Those guys have risen up. They are the leaders of our defense. They've come into their own as players and leaders.
"They need to play their best on Thursday night for us to have success. I expect them to do that."
McFadden and Jones are among the 26 Florida players on IU's roster. That reflects how hard Allen recruits Florida, especially for linebackers.
"There are a lot of southern guys on the roster at those positions," he said. "They were raised in SEC country, raised watching the Florida Gators."
Allen and his staff appreciate what such players can do for IU's program. Their recruiting success in Florida comes from one over-riding factor:
"Relationships."
"We've been very strategic in the way we attack the state recruiting-wise," Allen said. "We treat it like an in-state area where we assign guys to areas. We heavily recruit it.
"(IU coaches) build relationships over time. That's a big key to our success here. Get to know who these guys are from a young age, know the high school coaches well enough that you can trust what they tell you so you get the right guys who fit with us."
That's led to this break-through season and bowl opportunity.
Tuesday was the last-full speed practice as the Hoosiers prepare to bring nasty – but by the rules – intention.
"Everybody is getting more focused in, getting on the top edge," tight end Peyton Hendershot said.
McFadden took that one step further.
"(The bowl) is a culmination of our season," he said, "but it's also the beginning of the next one. We're excited to get that rolling and build energy for the program."
Sunday's practice was held in the rain, which didn't stop the Hoosiers.
"We got through the adversity," Hendershot said. "That's what Coach Allen said. On game day in Florida, you never know if it will rain, so we got used to it."
That doesn't mean the Hoosiers are all business. Bowl activities keep things in perspective.
"The team has been having fun," McFadden said. "We've had a lot of good activities that they've set up for us. We've been enjoying the time we spend together."
IU and Tennessee represent the Big Ten and SEC. Allen calls them the nation's best two conferences.
"They both play a physical brand of football. They are leagues known for their size and athleticism. Just really good teams and players who produce at the next level, as well.
"Our guys have embraced that. They know they're going to have to play their best football."
IUHoosiers.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Quiet is great for libraries, not for football teams. Indiana head coach Tom Allen delivers that message with the subtlety of a hammer. Linebacker Micah McFadden is a frequent target.
For good reason.
As a sophomore, McFadden has emerged as the Hoosiers' leading tackler (56), a consistently versatile performer (9 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1.5 sacks) at a position that demands it, and more.
Such as talking.
With IU (8-4) set to play Tennessee (7-5) in Thursday night's TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, a talkative McFadden is crucial to Hoosier success.
"I challenged Micah about being more verbal," Allen said. "Being louder. Talking with more confidence.
"He's a quiet guy, but he plays with so much effort. I love how hard he plays. He gives us so much. He's growing and getting better every week."
Fellow Florida linebacker Reakwon Jones is more of a finished product, which is what you'd expect from a senior. He ranks third on the team with 50 tackles.
Jones has overcome the challenges of Big Ten football, as well as Hurricane Michael's Category 5 devastation that destroyed his family's home in the fall of 2018.
Allen's message to Jones then, and now -- "Appreciate what you have."
"Make the most of every moment; hug your family; love your family; don't take any of it for granted. We are never promised tomorrow.
"Reakwon has been one of those guys who has lived that. He has been so consistent in his choices and the way he has worked.
"He cares about his family so much, and they have had a hard time. My challenge to him is to keep doing what he's doing so he can help his family the most and get his degree.
"If he is blessed enough to play professionally, that is awesome. If not, he has a great degree and can provide for his family.
"His mom is proud of him, and she should be. He's a special kid."
McFadden and Jones spearhead a defense that needs to come up big on Thursday night if the Hoosiers are to reach nine victories for just the third time in school history.
"The linebackers run the defense," Allen said. "That's what that position demands. It demands production and leadership.
"Those guys have risen up. They are the leaders of our defense. They've come into their own as players and leaders.
"They need to play their best on Thursday night for us to have success. I expect them to do that."
McFadden and Jones are among the 26 Florida players on IU's roster. That reflects how hard Allen recruits Florida, especially for linebackers.
"There are a lot of southern guys on the roster at those positions," he said. "They were raised in SEC country, raised watching the Florida Gators."
Allen and his staff appreciate what such players can do for IU's program. Their recruiting success in Florida comes from one over-riding factor:
"Relationships."
"We've been very strategic in the way we attack the state recruiting-wise," Allen said. "We treat it like an in-state area where we assign guys to areas. We heavily recruit it.
"(IU coaches) build relationships over time. That's a big key to our success here. Get to know who these guys are from a young age, know the high school coaches well enough that you can trust what they tell you so you get the right guys who fit with us."
That's led to this break-through season and bowl opportunity.
Tuesday was the last-full speed practice as the Hoosiers prepare to bring nasty – but by the rules – intention.
"Everybody is getting more focused in, getting on the top edge," tight end Peyton Hendershot said.
McFadden took that one step further.
"(The bowl) is a culmination of our season," he said, "but it's also the beginning of the next one. We're excited to get that rolling and build energy for the program."
Sunday's practice was held in the rain, which didn't stop the Hoosiers.
"We got through the adversity," Hendershot said. "That's what Coach Allen said. On game day in Florida, you never know if it will rain, so we got used to it."
That doesn't mean the Hoosiers are all business. Bowl activities keep things in perspective.
"The team has been having fun," McFadden said. "We've had a lot of good activities that they've set up for us. We've been enjoying the time we spend together."
IU and Tennessee represent the Big Ten and SEC. Allen calls them the nation's best two conferences.
"They both play a physical brand of football. They are leagues known for their size and athleticism. Just really good teams and players who produce at the next level, as well.
"Our guys have embraced that. They know they're going to have to play their best football."
Players Mentioned
FB: Elijah Sarratt - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18
FB: Fernando Mendoza - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18
FB: Omar Cooper Jr. - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18
FB: Aiden Fisher - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18