Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - BULLS/Specialists
8/22/2022 3:09:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – As fall camp winds down, Indiana football special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Kasey Teegardin spoke to the media on Monday (August 22) inside Memorial Stadium.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conferences, while video of the full media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Kasey Teegardin | Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
On what he likes about Alfred Bryant and Myles Jackson at the bull position…
KT: For [Bryant], he's a coach on the field. He knows the defense, he knows where he's supposed to be, how he's supposed to fit, and I think that's allowing him to play faster. I have not seen him move this fast. Just in generality, I think he has a better feeling and understanding. Now, we talked in the spring that we took a lot out of what we did a year ago, with this position and I think that has allowed those guys to play fast. Simplicity, for us, is going to allow us to dictate a little bit more of what we want to do at that position. Then, Myles [Jackson] just brings the physicality factor, and his energy level is off the charts, that hasn't changed one bit. He's got a great base knowledge of what we're trying to do, too. He can watch [Bryant] go and see how his post will look and react off of that, so that's been great. Both of those guys are doing a tremendous job and it's going to be a great season for them.
On position flexibility amongst the defensive line, linebacking core, and bull position…
KT: It changes some of their technique and stuff, but depending on the situation, we're always going to have one of those guys in the game. Third down, goal line, no matter what it is, one of those guys is going to be in there. You'll see both of those guys on the field at the same time, too, in some packages and things like that. That's what we've kind of done in the past. To us, getting our best 11 on the field, in those money-down situations, or crunch time, which you got to do, we feel like those guys help us in those situations. I will tell you, the biggest thing for me is the pass rush. We've got to generate pass rush in this position. I think both of those guys are a lot better pass rushers. They're better every single day, better than what we've been working with, so, having that in our arsenal with those two guys is going to be a weapon for us, for sure.
On James Evans' growth and progress this offseason…
KT: There's a comfortability factor, right. He's played 12 games in his entire life. So, the comfortability, just understanding, we're challenging, putting more on him, for sure, probably more what you saw when Haydon (Whitehead) was a senior. I want him to recognize what the opposing rush teams are trying to do to him. I want him to recognize those things, that will help him evolve his game. He has an unbelievable leg and an unbelievable talent, it's him being comfortable back there, knowing what he sees in front of him, and then executing to the best of his ability. He's getting a lot better every single day and we expect big things from him without a doubt.
On the competition between Bryant Fitzgerald and Myles Jackson…
KT: We partner up in drills, so they're going against each other, they're challenging each other in the meeting rooms, they're challenging each other off the field. We have to have that. In my opinion, we haven't had this kind of depth at this position [in the past]. I think when you have better players that are twos and threes, it elevates the ones, it pushes everyone to be better. We haven't had this kind of depth since I've been coaching the position and I think that's the most exciting part. I think [Bryant] will tell you the same thing … Myles makes him bring his A game every single day, and [Bryant] makes Myles bring his A game every single day. Those guys they rally to the charge and they're doing an awesome job. It makes coaching fun to see these guys compete at a high level, it's what this profession is all about.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conferences, while video of the full media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Kasey Teegardin | Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
On what he likes about Alfred Bryant and Myles Jackson at the bull position…
KT: For [Bryant], he's a coach on the field. He knows the defense, he knows where he's supposed to be, how he's supposed to fit, and I think that's allowing him to play faster. I have not seen him move this fast. Just in generality, I think he has a better feeling and understanding. Now, we talked in the spring that we took a lot out of what we did a year ago, with this position and I think that has allowed those guys to play fast. Simplicity, for us, is going to allow us to dictate a little bit more of what we want to do at that position. Then, Myles [Jackson] just brings the physicality factor, and his energy level is off the charts, that hasn't changed one bit. He's got a great base knowledge of what we're trying to do, too. He can watch [Bryant] go and see how his post will look and react off of that, so that's been great. Both of those guys are doing a tremendous job and it's going to be a great season for them.
On position flexibility amongst the defensive line, linebacking core, and bull position…
KT: It changes some of their technique and stuff, but depending on the situation, we're always going to have one of those guys in the game. Third down, goal line, no matter what it is, one of those guys is going to be in there. You'll see both of those guys on the field at the same time, too, in some packages and things like that. That's what we've kind of done in the past. To us, getting our best 11 on the field, in those money-down situations, or crunch time, which you got to do, we feel like those guys help us in those situations. I will tell you, the biggest thing for me is the pass rush. We've got to generate pass rush in this position. I think both of those guys are a lot better pass rushers. They're better every single day, better than what we've been working with, so, having that in our arsenal with those two guys is going to be a weapon for us, for sure.
On James Evans' growth and progress this offseason…
KT: There's a comfortability factor, right. He's played 12 games in his entire life. So, the comfortability, just understanding, we're challenging, putting more on him, for sure, probably more what you saw when Haydon (Whitehead) was a senior. I want him to recognize what the opposing rush teams are trying to do to him. I want him to recognize those things, that will help him evolve his game. He has an unbelievable leg and an unbelievable talent, it's him being comfortable back there, knowing what he sees in front of him, and then executing to the best of his ability. He's getting a lot better every single day and we expect big things from him without a doubt.
On the competition between Bryant Fitzgerald and Myles Jackson…
KT: We partner up in drills, so they're going against each other, they're challenging each other in the meeting rooms, they're challenging each other off the field. We have to have that. In my opinion, we haven't had this kind of depth at this position [in the past]. I think when you have better players that are twos and threes, it elevates the ones, it pushes everyone to be better. We haven't had this kind of depth since I've been coaching the position and I think that's the most exciting part. I think [Bryant] will tell you the same thing … Myles makes him bring his A game every single day, and [Bryant] makes Myles bring his A game every single day. Those guys they rally to the charge and they're doing an awesome job. It makes coaching fun to see these guys compete at a high level, it's what this profession is all about.
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