Indiana University Athletics
Spring Practice Report 4/8/21 – Jason Jones, Demcarcus Elliott & Devon Matthews
4/8/2021 12:18:00 PM | Football
Below are partial transcriptions of Zoom press conferences with Indiana safeties coach Jason Jones, defensive tackle Demarcus Elliott, and safety Devon Matthews on Thursday, April 8.
Safeties Coach Jason Jones
Q: On the progress of Raheem Layne in the safety position and what you like about him there…
JONES: I will tell you when we moved him from corner, he had never played safety before. One thing about Raheem is that he is a smart young man. Even though he was injured and as he was going through the rehab process, he still came to every team and position meeting and took notes everyday as if he was going to play. So as spring ball rolled around and we moved him to safety, it looks like he has been there the entire time. He made some mistakes from time to time, but it doesn't look like he is out of place. He understands what we are doing. He is really doing a great job. He is doing a great job communicating and directing traffic back there, so I am pleased with him.
Q: On what you have seen from Devon Matthews and what are the next steps to take his game to the next level…
JONES: He did take a great step least year just locking in and understanding the defense. My challenge to him is as he now understands what is going on in the back end with the safeties, the husky and the two corners, now let's take the next step and understand what the linebackers are doing and what is happening up front to see the entire picture. He is a smart young man and understands that we could put a lot on his plate and give him different options. Say they do this, we want you to make this check to get us into this particular call or defense. That is what we are doing with him now for the next step. We are putting more on his plate, and he has done a good job at embracing it. He is taking and running with it. Matt asked about Raheem and those two guys are doing an awesome job and spending a lot of time in the film room. So, they are doing well.
Q: On Bryson Bonds football ability and how that has carried over to the spring to get him in the rotation this year…
JONES: Bryson comes out every day and works extremely hard. He is a smart young man. At times when you are lining up and going against our offense and things like that, I think at times he overthinks things. He just needs to settle down. We always talk about having poise and relaxing. Once he settles down and relaxes, he is fine. He will get better as we continue to practice, and he continues to get reps. He is developing fine. He is a guy that we are expecting to provide us with some depth and should be able to help on special teams.
DT Demarcus Elliott
Q. On the difference this spring…
ELLIOTT: It has been a lot different going from COVID and not being here with the team to now being here with the team full time and no breaks. We did not get our spring break this year, so it was a full 15 practices back-to-back. I feel like as a team we are getting so much better because we did not get a full spring with Coach Aaron Wellman before the fall last year. Being back in the weight room full time has been beneficial and you can see it at every level.
Q. On not having Jerome Johnson and who is filling that role…
ELLIOTT: Having Jerome next to me the last two years has been great. He had already been here, so he pretty much showed me the ropes and now with the younger guys I now take on the role that Jerome had. I have been showing them what the standard is here at Indiana, which they have taken to the next level. Having them get better and having competition, no spot is guaranteed, has really helped out the younger guys.
Q. On what have he has gotten out of this spring…
ELLIOTT: Having Coach Wellman full time has been so beneficial to me and my body. I was able to drop body fat percentage and put on straight muscle mass. Having him come from the NFL, he brings so much to the table. Us having him is so beneficial because coming into my first few years here my body was not up to par. Having Coach Ballou helped, but having Coach Wellman here you could tell the major difference. You could see the difference in my definition, my body, and even my stamina.
S Devon Matthews
Q. On the adjustment of becoming more of a vocal leader…
MATTHEWS: I have definitely progressed very well going into last year. I think I stepped up more last year and being more vocal. This year, I am even taking it up more of a notch. I am just talking more, communicating more.
Q. On Coach Warren…
MATTHEWS: He is definitely a great coach and knows what he is doing. He comes from Georgia, he comes from a big, powerhouse school. That brings more fuel to our fire on the defensive side of the ball. He is a great coach.
Q. On what has made him more confident…
MATTHEWS: All of it goes back to experience. I have been here four years. This will be my fourth year. I have been playing since my freshman year, so I just feel more comfortable out there. I am also getting to know my teammates better. It is all about experience.
Players Mentioned
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