No Limits – Transfer Anderson Another Weapon for Fast-Rising Defense

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Don't limit Ryder Anderson. He won't. His coaches won't.

Indiana's transfer defensive lineman out of Ole Miss aims to make immediate impact for his new team. If he does, when he does, this 6-6, 266-pounder will boost the pass rush and help stuff the run.

Just think what that means for this fast-rising unit that led the Big Ten in interceptions (17) and sacks (25) last season, and that finished fourth in the conference by allowing 20.3 points a game.

"As far as what I'll be bringing, just that edge presence and a lot of aggressiveness," Anderson says. "I'm a guy who can play all three downs, who can stop the run or rush the passer. I am just trying to do my part."

He played a big part for three seasons at Ole Miss, totaling 99 tackles and 6.5 sacks, plus 17 quarterback hurries.

The Hoosiers' sack-happy nature last season came from a dynamic, creative blitz package that exploited the athleticism of linebackers and defensive backs.

Imagine if you keep that blitz onslaught (new defensive coordinator Charlton Warren certainly will), and mix it with a more effectively attacking defensive line.

You get to maximize pressure and disruption. You almost certainly get that Top-10-defense-in-the-nation status head coach Tom Allen seeks.

While Anderson figures to attack mostly from defensive end, he has the size, strength and technique to go inside, if necessary.

"I don't really have a problem moving across the defensive line," he says. "It's just being in the scheme that fits me, uses me, and gives me a little bit more freedom to be a ballplayer. That's what I have here in this defense.

"I play on the edge. I'll get inside and do some things, rush inside a little bit or play the run inside. That's all stuff I like to do. I like to show versatility. It's something that throughout the course of a game I excel at."
Adds defensive line coach Kevin Peoples: "He's doing a very good job."

While Anderson brings something new to the defensive line, Alfred Bryant offers Cream & Crimson continuity. This fifth-year senior defensive end has totaled 42 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries over his career.

At 6-2 and 250 pounds, he projects as playing the Bull position, which is a hybrid defensive end/linebacker.

"The Bull spot is very versatile," he says. "It's fun. It is like playing defense line and linebacker, so you get to do a lot of coverage and showing your skills out there.

"It is different. A lot of hard work is put into in. You have to show up every day and lock-in to the coverages, defensive line work, and hands. You have to be able to flip your hips and run with receivers and running backs."

A recruiting priority has been to improve the defensive line talent. Mission accomplished, Bryant says.

"A lot of athleticism has come over the years -- faster and strong guys. The coaches are recruiting what we need for the position."

That talent upgrade includes junior defensive lineman Sio Nofoagatoto'a, who at 6-3 and 315 pounds is the kind of imposing inside presence needed to shut down Big Ten rushing attacks.

Being on a defense known for its disruptive nature keeps things intense and interesting, he says.

"The emphasis on havoc has really helped us as a D-line," he says. "We feel if we can create havoc, we can give confidence to our secondary and linebackers."

That's exactly what Peoples wants to hear.

"Anytime you can get production out of your defensive line, you can get more pass rush and you don't have to blitz to get the pass rush, it's a huge benefit," he says. "Those are things we're trying to work on.

"We're trying to make sure we're doing our job within the scheme and making the plays that come to us. One big thing with Coach Warren is creating havoc. We have a havoc leader every day (in camp), and that's tackles for loss, forced fumbles, sacks, pass breakups, and interceptions. That's a huge focus for our defensive line and a huge focus for our entire defense."

Another grad transfer, Weston Kramer from Northern Illinois, is thriving, as are veterans C.J. Person, Demarcus Elliott and Beau Robbins.

"I'm pleased with where we're at," Peoples says. "Weston Kramer, who wasn't with us in the spring, has been a very pleasant surprise. He's a very tough, hard-nosed, physical kid. I love what he brings."

Then there's the 6-3, 292-pound Person.

"He's stepped up," Peoples says. "He's always been a talent. I mean, he's been twitchy. He's got a little extra athleticism, a little twitch.

"He did some good things for us last year, but it started with him in the spring and then the summer. He had a tremendous summer. He changed his body. He's done an unbelievable job of taking Aaron Wellman's leadership in the weight room, and changing the things he needed to change."

Person isn't the only one who made a change as IU seeks to replace defensive tackle Jerome Johnson and his defensive-line-leading 4.5 sacks. Johnson is now with the Miami Dolphins.

"I'm pleased with Demarcus and Sio, who have had significant playing time," Peoples says. "They're strong and steady. I like where they're at. Beau is stepping up.

"We've got some good competition. I think we've got better depth than we've had, and I think anytime you get competition among a group, it's going to help your group improve and that's where we're at right now."

Bringing in transfers Anderson and Kramer, Peoples adds, has made a big difference.

"Transfers are going to be a way of life right now in college football. Because of the culture that Coach Allen has created here, it's a little bit easier for us to get a transfer to come in and fit right in. If you don't, you're going to stick out.

"We do a good job of researching those guys. All the transfers we've brought in have been very good. Our players have embraced them. We're a football team. Anytime you can get another weapon, whether it be a defensive lineman or any position on our team, we're happy with."

Indiana University Athletics

No Limits – Transfer Anderson Another Weapon for Fast-Rising Defense

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Players Mentioned

Ryder Anderson

Alfred Bryant

Demarcus Elliott

Jerome Johnson

Weston Kramer

Sio Nofoagatoto'a

C.J. Person

Beau Robbins

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