Indiana University Athletics
DiPrimio Notebook: Matthews Jr. Catches Nick Sheridan’s Attention
5/6/2021 12:00:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan saw the film clips and he knew.
How could he not?
If you've seen the clips -- and they are buzzing around at Hoosier football social media sites near you -- then you know, too.
How could you not?
D.J. Matthews Jr., you see, is a defense-wrecking wonder in the open field.
You'd better believe Sheridan is working up all sorts of ways to get this Florida State grad transfer receiver the ball in space.
"We are really excited about D.J.," Sheridan says during a Zoom opportunity. "He knows that he needs to continue to improve just like the rest of the guys, but he has been a real, I wouldn't say a pleasant surprise, but just a pleasant and great addition."
At 5-10 and 153 pounds, Matthews isn't built for battering-ram encounters. But put him in situations where somebody has to catch him, and it's big advantage Hoosiers.
"Some of the physical things are pretty well known," Sheridan says. "You have seen from some of the production that he has had in his career, from the elusiveness, the quickness, and the change of direction. Those things have continued to grow, and he has continued to get stronger. You can see that on the film."
At Florida State, Matthews averaged just under 10 yards a catch and just over 10 yards a punt return. He caught five touchdown passes and returned a punt for a score.
Matthews is set to play slot receiver, the position Whop Philyor handled the past couple of seasons. He figures to be a key complement to Ty Fryfogle, the Big Ten's top receiver last season.
But that's not the biggest thing that has impressed Sheridan.
"The thing I was most pleased with D.J. was the level of maturity, the experience, the preparation, the note taking, and the film study. Some of those things that a player like him and the overall experiences that he has had, and his maturity has rubbed off on the whole group.
"Aside from the on-field production and plays that he made (during spring practice), I was most pleased and excited about his maturity, work ethic, and preparation on a day-to-day basis. He was a consistent and dependable player."
Matthews won the locker room and receiver room over. On a team that pushes head coach Tom Allen's Love-Each-Other culture, he's a perfect fit.
"He has integrated well with the team," Sheridan says. "The guys like him and respect him.
"He likes to be coached. He wants to be coached, and I appreciate that about him."
Appreciation has limits.
"He needs to continue to improve and get better over the next couple of months," Sheridan says.
*****
Deland McCullough is once again a Hoosier coach, and you'd better believe that matters.
After a three-year run as running backs coach with the Kansas City Chiefs, including a Super Bowl victory, his decision to return to college in general, and to IU in particular (he was in Bloomington from 2011-16 before going to USC and then Kansas City), has generated a buzz heard around the country.
"There were other (college coaching) opportunities," says McCullough, who adds associate head coach duties to his running backs coach role. "Off the top of my head, seven or eight jump right out at me.
"It was all about the right scenario for where I am with my family at this point and time and for what some of my long-term aspirations are. Indiana University was the spot that fit that and I'm happy to be here."
During his first time at IU, McCullough coached some of the best running backs in program history, guys such as Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard. He aims for more of the same.
"You got four years away from it and then you return, and you get the opportunity to reflect as you walk around the building and see things.
"Even as I'm sitting in my running backs room and just look at the guys, and I'm showing cut ups of things that happened and it wasn't like it was 20 years ago, it was five years ago. Just seeing the response of my players, the appreciation for the things that we've done in that room.
"I'm using those more as a catalyst to show the things I'm coming to the table with. Not the catchphrases, but the approach and the mentality you want in that room. Then, how the mentality of that room transcended the room, and I took it to other places and was successful. Now things come full circle and I come back. It's exciting."
*****
Defensive coordinator Charlton Warren isn't messing around with the takeaway emphasis.
IU had 17 interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season, and now that he's a Hoosier after two years as defensive backs coach at Georgia, Warren is looking for more, and there will be consequences if he doesn't get it.
"Taking the ball away is always going to be paramount to having a great defensive unit," he says.
"We did things this spring where we charted the attempts and tracked the progress at every practice of how many takeaways we got."
Warren ups the ante with his "havoc-rate" approach. That also includes sacks, tackles for loss, and pass breakups.
"Our havoc rate is something that we talk about a lot every day," he says. "We opened up our meetings with what our havoc rate was from the day prior. We talked about our percentage of a takeaway, sacks, tackles for loss, and pass breakups. There were not many days where we did not get those numbers, and if we did not, we would do a drill to reinforce what we did not do.
"I saw great progress and a continuation of wanting to go after the ball. That is what we are going to need to have a successful defense."
*****
IU's break-through 2020 season, when it went 6-2 and finished No. 12 nationally amid a pandemic, reflected improved recruited that started under former coach Kevin Wilson and accelerated under Allen.
"A level of foundation was laid years ago," McCullough says, "and Coach Allen and the rest of the coaching staff have taken and expanded that.
"Just the culture. LEO is not just a catchphrase. It's a way of life around here. It's very evident to me and I'm just glad to be a part of that.
"Just the impressions of the program even from other coaches in other leagues. The environment is being built here. I am excited to go out and sell the program and put the program on display. You hope to continue to draw the right type of players to keep everything moving forward."
Players Mentioned
FB: Spring Game - Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, April 23
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21