Spring Practice Report 3/23/21 – Thomas Allen, Raheem Layne & Jack Tuttle

Below are partial transcriptions of a Zoom press conference with linebacker Thomas Allen, safety Raheem Layne, and quarterback Jack Tuttle on Tuesday, March 23.

LB Thomas Allen
Q. On what he remembers from the Michigan State game…
ALLEN: Initially, I have had enough injuries in my career that I knew something was pretty seriously wrong. I remember screaming, knowing something was pretty messed up in my hip. Then the doc finally got it popped back in. I was able to at least think and know kind of where I was and my surroundings.

Q. On being in position meetings and seeing what it is like to coach…
ALLEN: Throughout my career I've been able to help out our young guys. I've been blessed that I know our defense pretty well and be able to help the young guys when I can. I was able to be in the meetings a lot more and see the coaching side. I got to help out on some breakdown of film throughout the last couple of weeks. That was fun. I've never seen that side. I've seen it, but I've never really been a part of that side, getting ready for a game. It's kind of eye opening. I've kind of thought I've always wanted to be a coach. It's in the family. It was cool to be able to do that, from that point of view and be able to help my team as much as possible while I was hurt and not able to be on the field, I could help them in the meeting room. It was better than nothing.

Q. On how he is doing now and if he thought about not playing after the injury…
First and foremost, rehab is going good. I was able to run on the field for the first time, just jogging, but baby steps. This has been a very long process, and I still have a long way to go. To be able to see that improvement has been great. Absolutely, I've had a fair share of injuries in my career. Something like this, I'm getting married this summer, so I sat down and talked to my fiancée, talked to my family. We had those conversations, but at the end of the day you only get to play Division I football once and I want to finish my career the right way.

S Raheem Layne
Q. On how the secondary can improve…
LAYNE: I am trying to make sure that there is no drop off. Make sure we are bringing all the younger guys along with us and continue on the path we are on. I feel like we are on a good path, headed toward success and we are trying to continue to go in the upward direction.

Q. On moving from corner to safety…
LAYNE: When I was playing corner, I tried to make sure that I did a good job of learning our overall defense. Our defense has stayed the same so all that is different is my position on the field and it has been a smooth transition. I feel natural back there, so I feel like it is going to be a really good year.

Q. On his injury…
LAYNE: I was feeling good, but it was just something where I thought the season was over so when they had the cancelation in the fall I decided to go ahead and fix it. I knew we were in good hands, so I wanted to make sure that I was taking care of myself. I knew I was coming back for another year and I wanted to make sure I would be feeling good the whole time. I also wanted to make sure that I was able to go out there and give it all I have.

QB Jack Tuttle
Q. On what he's been working on this spring…
TUTTLE: That's a great question. I think trying to keep growing in my mental game. Continue working on some throws and just meshing together with the units we play with.

Q. On getting extra reps with other quarterbacks being injured…
TUTTLE: It's super important to keep getting reps and continue growing as a player, so I think it is great.

Q. On if he's being more cautious in how he practices with other quarterbacks being injured…
TUTTLE: No, Coach Allen protects us pretty well in practice. It is not like we are getting hit out there, so it's full-go, grinding at practice like usual.

Indiana University Athletics

Spring Practice Report 3/23/21 – Thomas Allen, Raheem Layne & Jack Tuttle

Players Mentioned

Thomas Allen

Raheem Layne

Jack Tuttle

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