Auburn Transfer Jaren Handy Will Bring The Pressure

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Squashing offenses is cool if you do it, when you do it, and even in this wide-open college football era, that starts with pressuring the quarterback.

Jaren Handy gets that concept. It's what he did when he was a Mississippi high school defensive superstar good enough to earn four-star accolades.

It's what he wants to do at Indiana, and if this Auburn defensive transfer does, look out.

"I think getting pressure from the D-line (could help)," Handy says via Zoom press conference opportunity. "When you get pressure from the D-Line, you don't have to blitz your cornerbacks. You can leave them out there on the island. Me coming here, I feel like I bring that."

The 6-5, 255-pound Handy could bring a lot, especially as he adapts to IU's Bull position.

"I'll be pass rushing and dropping back in coverage," Handy says. "Moving around. It will be a great chance to showcase my talent and show what I can do."

That could lead to all sorts of interesting Hoosier possibilities.

Consider IU's Big Ten-leading 25 sacks last season mostly came from linebackers (10) and cornerbacks (5.5) thanks to its attack-and-blitz style. It also got four sacks from defensive tackle Jerome Johnson.

Defensive ends D.K. Bonhomme, James Head Jr., and Jonathan King combined for just 3.5 sacks.

That's where Handy could help. If he can make a pass-rushing impact, if the defense can bring major pressure from its front four, then you potentially have a dominant defensive unit, which could see the Hoosiers not just contend for a Big Ten title (it finished behind Ohio State with a 6-1 conference mark last season), but win it.

This is a big reason -- but not the only one -- why Handy made the move to Bloomington after Auburn transitioned to new head coach Bryan Harsin.

"I felt I had a pretty good chance to play," he says. "Indiana is a team that's up and coming. They were just one step away from winning the Big Ten and getting a championship. That was really exciting."

So was watching his cousin, receiver Ty Fryfogle, who earned Big Ten Receiver-of-the-Year accolades.

Yes, Fryfogle was among the reasons why Handy is a Hoosier.

"That made it easier when I can get a true feel (for the program)," he says. "I trust his word."

He also trusts defensive line coach Kevin Peoples.

"Coach Peoples is really cool," Handy says. "He called me every day to make sure I was good, that I got all my stuff and what the workouts were like. He showed me a lot of love."

Handy was closer to 270 pounds during his two seasons at Auburn. He figures to play at the lighter weight as a Hoosier while focusing on "building up my muscle."

Handy totaled 10 tackles as a defensive end and outside linebacker. Three were for losses, and one was a sack, which came last year against No. 1 Alabama.

He hopes to boost that production as a Hoosier under the guidance of Peoples. The new position could help. And after two seasons of SEC competition, he's eager to face Big Ten opponents.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," he says. "People tell me the Big Ten has some really good O-linemen. I like to pass rush and get sacks. I feel it will help my game and take me to the next step."

Because of Fryfogle, Handy paid close attention to IU's 6-2 season, which ended with an Outback Bowl loss to Ole Miss.

"With my cousin playing, I watched every game," he says. "I felt they should have won every game they played, even the Ohio State game. I was upset with them with the Ole Miss game. They could have pulled that one out."

IU seems certain to get more bowl opportunities under head coach Tom Allen. Handy, who has two remaining seasons of eligibility, is eager to do his part.

"I love Indiana. It's different from Auburn. For me, being from Mississippi and seeing the trees and mountains (the Brown County version), seeing deer in the yards, and rabbits running around, you don't see that all the time. It's different. I like it."

Indiana University Athletics

Auburn Transfer Jaren Handy Will Bring The Pressure

Players Mentioned

D.K. Bonhomme

Ty Fryfogle

Jaren Handy

James Head Jr.

Jerome Johnson

Jonathan King

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