Building One Improvement at a Time

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – To understand why Indiana football has emerged as a national power (see last year's 6-2 record and No. 12 final ranking), and why it seems poised for even more next season, consider defensive lineman Demarcus Elliott.

This former junior college standout rates among the Hoosiers best defensive players, which is saying something given the unit has a pair of All-Americans in linebacker Micah McFadden and cornerback Tiawan Mullen.

Specifically, Elliott comes out of the spring with safety Raheem Layne as IU's most improved players.

Head coach Tom Allen isn't surprised.

"He has been a guy, since he has been here, who plays hard for us," he says via Zoom spring-ending opportunity. "I love his effort and care factor. It is really high.

"He is such a good person off the field. He's doing everything he's asked."

Elliott's improvement showcases IU's player development program that turns good players into great ones. Elliott already was good on and off the field, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors as well as honorable-mention all-conference accolades for a junior season at defensive tackle in which he totaled 14 tackles and one pass breakup.

When you're 6-3 and 307 pounds, as Elliott is, when you can move faster, play stronger, and read blocking schemes faster, well, the possibilities leave Allen pumped.

Given Allen is pumped just brushing his teeth, that's saying something.

"With Demarcus, I am trying to make him more versatile upfront and play multiple positions," he says. "I thought he's a step quicker and is really strong in his consistency every day. He has always been that way as such a consistent guy, so that has continued in his leadership role."
Elliott is now capable of playing nose tackle or defensive tackle, and if he does so at the high level Allen expects, look out.

"We want him to be more versatile and play that three-technique spot (tackle) and to be able to play in the nose," Allen says. "That is not something we have had him do in the past. It is not the same position. There are different things involved in it. There are different techniques involved and the block reactions are different."

Elliott worked both positions hard in the spring, and left a big impression.

"He got some very valuable reps that showed a lot," Allen says. "It gives us more versatility within our defense and personnel. We are proud of the way he has progressed."
Missing most of last spring because of the pandemic hurt Elliott's progress, as it did everyone's. Linemen, Allen says, were especially hindered.

"He didn't have a good chance to have the full preparation last year, which hurt him. It hurt a lot of our linemen because of the nature of that position and what you need in the weight room, what you need technique-wise during the spring a year ago and then he missed in the fall camp piece as well with it being chopped up."

There was no chopping this spring. Elliott and the Hoosiers got in a full 15-practice session, and there was plenty for Allen and his staff to like.

Consider Layne, who missed last season with an injury. His conversion from cornerback to safety is complete.

"It is great to have him back, just his leadership," Allen says. "He really took a big step in that area. I thought he showed tremendous maturity in his preparation."

Having to sit out a season, especially IU's one-for-the-ages season, hit Layne hard. This is his chance to hit back harder.

"It is amazing that when you miss something, you realize that it is a privilege and a blessing to be out there practicing," Allen says. "He and I talked about that quite a bit. He had a renewed sense of everything because of not being able to play last year. I am really proud of him."

Pride extends to the offense's most improved players -- tight end AJ Barner and offensive lineman Tim Weaver.

Barner was basically a special teams player last season. He earned IU's special teams player of the week honors against Michigan State.

Weaver played in five games and made Academic All-Big Ten.

"We are excited about their growth and development," Allen says. "They are really starting to do some great things for us."

They weren't alone. To honor those who stood out, Allen has created the LEO (Love Each Other) Awards, which reflect the little things that matter most.

"I wanted to find a way throughout spring practices to recognize the guys who really buy into practicing at a high level, pay attention to detail, and give tremendous effort and focus during special teams drills," Allen says.

"It's not necessarily special teams group work, but when we are doing the punt, punt return or kickoff, kickoff return. We are talking the fundamentals of being a great special teams player in both cover and return units.

"I make a big deal out of that because in the months of April and March when nobody is watching and it's so far away from the season, these guys are busting their tails.

"It is guys who truly don't care who gets the credit because it is not about them. They are working their tails off for this team in the quietness of the months and months away from the season. But they are getting better, and they are making this team better. That is how you win football games in the fall."

For Allen, LEO is not a cute phrase, but a way to build a strong program that will endure despite adversity.

It's putting team above self, and no Hoosiers did that better this spring than Cam Jones, Devon Matthews, Davion Ervin-Poindexter, Bryson Bonds, Javon Swinton, Barner, Chris Childers and McCall Ray.

"All those guys did a really great job," Allen says. "I was pleased with the effort and focus. We talk about attitude and effort all the time in special teams, and we talk about it as a football team because those are two variables that you can completely control.

"That has been the emphasis as we try to get better fundamentally, improve our depth, as well as make some modifications to our schemes."

Players Mentioned

AJ Barner

Bryson Bonds

Chris Childers

Demarcus Elliott

Davion Ervin-Poindexter

Cam Jones

Raheem Layne

Devon Matthews

Micah McFadden

Tiawan Mullen

McCall Ray

Javon Swinton

Tim Weaver

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