Indiana University Athletics
No Smoke – IU Perfect Fit for Transfers
2/8/2023 11:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sometimes wisdom comes the second time around.
It certainly has for quarterback Tayven Jackson, and defensive linemen Andre Carter and Philip Blidi, who used the transfer portal to become Indiana Hoosiers after previously playing for other college football programs.
In Jackson's case, it was Tennessee. Carter came from Western Michigan. Blidi spent three seasons at Texas Tech.
They are part of a 15-player transfer group that 247Sports rates as the best in the Big Ten and No. 8 nationally.
"When you enter the portal," Blidi says, "anything can happen. I went through (recruiting) again and knew what I was looking for. You can cut through the noise and smoke, and get to what you want."
Carter knows exactly what he wants and believes he and the Hoosiers can get there.
"When I made my visit, it was obvious the players and staff want to get better and compete for a Big Ten championship. That's the exact thing I want to do. I want to compete at the highest levels. I believe we can get it done."
For Jackson, a standout at nearby Center Grove High School's powerhouse program, a long relationship with IU head coach Tom Allen finally meant joining forces.
"We've had a relationship forever," Jackson says. "Going into the portal and seeing the options, Indiana stuck out the most. It's because of Coach Allen's energy, the love he has for the players, the loving culture.
"Everybody loves each other. Everybody looks out for each other. Everybody wants to succeed."
Jackson brings the highest profile of the transfer class. He has elite dual-threat ability, a year of working alongside Tennessee quarterback standouts Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, and, as the younger brother of IU basketball All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis, a strong understanding of what Cream & Crimson success requires.
As a quarterback, it includes lots of film-and-defense studying.
"It's board work and film work," Jackson says. "Reading defenses and knowing what coverages defenses are in, Tennessee showed me not just on-field work is the definition of playing quarterback. It's how to be a better man and how to take care of business. The college game is a business and you have to bring it every single day."
Jackson says he won't have a problem adjusting to offensive coordinator Walt Bell's up-tempo attack given Tennessee did the same thing last season to produce one of the nation's best offenses.
"I don't think it's going to be faster than that," he said, "but I know Coach Bell is an offensive genius. He's going to do everything he can to put our quarterbacks in the right positions to make plays."
In limited action at Tennessee, Jackson was 3-for-4 for 37 yards. In his final two seasons at Center Grove, he led the Trojans to a 28-0 record and a pair of Class 6A state titles. For his career, he threw for 4,813 yards and 47 touchdowns.
"What we liked about him was his athleticism," Allen says. "He's a long athlete, a multi-sport guy with basketball and track. We felt that he could create with his legs and arm. Those are the things you look for in a quarterback, the ability to throw and run.
"He's a tremendous leader. The confidence and the swagger that he brings to a room. To bring in a young man of that caliber is very important."
Jackson will compete with returning veterans Dexter Williams II (recovering from knee surgery) and Brendan Sorsby, plus incoming freshman Broc Lowry.
Allen also sees plenty of defensive line potential from Carter and Blidi.
"They are big, physical athletes with a lot of length," Allen says. "They've played a lot of football. They give you mature guys ready to play right away. That's the expectation.
"They give us a physicality, experience, and just some mass on the defensive line, which we have to have in the Big Ten."
Carter's motivation comes from personal tragedy. He lost his brother and sister while growing up in Detroit. Making it to the Big Ten level was important to him on multiple levels.
"What gets me going is my mother," he says. "Putting a smile on her face and seeing where we've come, where I started, and where I'm at now. That's added motivation to do what I have to do."
Carter played five seasons at Western Michigan, developing from a reserve to a starter to a second-team All-Mid-American Conference choice. Last season, he totaled 68 tackles with a team-leading 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
"Everyone's story is different and the timeline that they succeed is different," he says. "I've had a lot of ups and downs. I persevered.
"Last season, I made tremendous impact on the field and in the community. All the ups and downs allowed me to be where I'm at now."
Carter's 19 career sacks suggest he'll have a big rush-the-passer role for defensive line coach Paul Randolph and the Hoosiers, who need more quarterback pressure from the defensive line.
"The biggest thing for me in talking with Coach Allen is I want to play more outside and defensive end," Carter says. "Coach Allen and Coach Randolph want to see me rush the edge.
"I'm an every-down player, but use me as a high-level pass rusher."
How high a level is that?
"Coming from the (Mid-American Conference), I have a chip on my shoulder," he says. "This being my last year, that's another chip. I can't wait to get it rock and rolling."
As for Blidi, IU's attacking defense was exactly what he wanted.
"Coach Allen's defense allows you to make plays," he says. "It puts you at different spots. That will allow me to show my versatility. I am a versatile defensive tackle. They will utilize my skill set."
While evaluating IU, Blidi saw what an attacking defense could do.
"There were a lot of guys getting (tackles for losses) and sacks and causing turnovers. That excited me about this defense. That will be big for me and the defense in general. We'll feed off each other."
At Texas Tech, Blidi played in 35 games and totaled 40 tackles and two sacks. He says he played on three- and four-man defensive fronts, which helped develop his versatility.
"I was able to see what spots worked for me," he says.
As a three-star, two-way high school standout in New Mexico, he was recruited by Randolph. That relationship was a big reason why Blidi ended up a Hoosier.
"I knew what I would get from Coach Randolph. I knew he'd push me hard and push me past my limit. He'll make me better as a man. He will challenge me to be the best every day. That will help a lot. All the coaches challenge you and develop you."
It certainly has for quarterback Tayven Jackson, and defensive linemen Andre Carter and Philip Blidi, who used the transfer portal to become Indiana Hoosiers after previously playing for other college football programs.
In Jackson's case, it was Tennessee. Carter came from Western Michigan. Blidi spent three seasons at Texas Tech.
They are part of a 15-player transfer group that 247Sports rates as the best in the Big Ten and No. 8 nationally.
"When you enter the portal," Blidi says, "anything can happen. I went through (recruiting) again and knew what I was looking for. You can cut through the noise and smoke, and get to what you want."
Carter knows exactly what he wants and believes he and the Hoosiers can get there.
"When I made my visit, it was obvious the players and staff want to get better and compete for a Big Ten championship. That's the exact thing I want to do. I want to compete at the highest levels. I believe we can get it done."
For Jackson, a standout at nearby Center Grove High School's powerhouse program, a long relationship with IU head coach Tom Allen finally meant joining forces.
"We've had a relationship forever," Jackson says. "Going into the portal and seeing the options, Indiana stuck out the most. It's because of Coach Allen's energy, the love he has for the players, the loving culture.
"Everybody loves each other. Everybody looks out for each other. Everybody wants to succeed."
Jackson brings the highest profile of the transfer class. He has elite dual-threat ability, a year of working alongside Tennessee quarterback standouts Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, and, as the younger brother of IU basketball All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis, a strong understanding of what Cream & Crimson success requires.
As a quarterback, it includes lots of film-and-defense studying.
"It's board work and film work," Jackson says. "Reading defenses and knowing what coverages defenses are in, Tennessee showed me not just on-field work is the definition of playing quarterback. It's how to be a better man and how to take care of business. The college game is a business and you have to bring it every single day."
Jackson says he won't have a problem adjusting to offensive coordinator Walt Bell's up-tempo attack given Tennessee did the same thing last season to produce one of the nation's best offenses.
"I don't think it's going to be faster than that," he said, "but I know Coach Bell is an offensive genius. He's going to do everything he can to put our quarterbacks in the right positions to make plays."
In limited action at Tennessee, Jackson was 3-for-4 for 37 yards. In his final two seasons at Center Grove, he led the Trojans to a 28-0 record and a pair of Class 6A state titles. For his career, he threw for 4,813 yards and 47 touchdowns.
"What we liked about him was his athleticism," Allen says. "He's a long athlete, a multi-sport guy with basketball and track. We felt that he could create with his legs and arm. Those are the things you look for in a quarterback, the ability to throw and run.
"He's a tremendous leader. The confidence and the swagger that he brings to a room. To bring in a young man of that caliber is very important."
Jackson will compete with returning veterans Dexter Williams II (recovering from knee surgery) and Brendan Sorsby, plus incoming freshman Broc Lowry.
Allen also sees plenty of defensive line potential from Carter and Blidi.
"They are big, physical athletes with a lot of length," Allen says. "They've played a lot of football. They give you mature guys ready to play right away. That's the expectation.
"They give us a physicality, experience, and just some mass on the defensive line, which we have to have in the Big Ten."
Carter's motivation comes from personal tragedy. He lost his brother and sister while growing up in Detroit. Making it to the Big Ten level was important to him on multiple levels.
"What gets me going is my mother," he says. "Putting a smile on her face and seeing where we've come, where I started, and where I'm at now. That's added motivation to do what I have to do."
Carter played five seasons at Western Michigan, developing from a reserve to a starter to a second-team All-Mid-American Conference choice. Last season, he totaled 68 tackles with a team-leading 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
"Everyone's story is different and the timeline that they succeed is different," he says. "I've had a lot of ups and downs. I persevered.
"Last season, I made tremendous impact on the field and in the community. All the ups and downs allowed me to be where I'm at now."
Carter's 19 career sacks suggest he'll have a big rush-the-passer role for defensive line coach Paul Randolph and the Hoosiers, who need more quarterback pressure from the defensive line.
"The biggest thing for me in talking with Coach Allen is I want to play more outside and defensive end," Carter says. "Coach Allen and Coach Randolph want to see me rush the edge.
"I'm an every-down player, but use me as a high-level pass rusher."
How high a level is that?
"Coming from the (Mid-American Conference), I have a chip on my shoulder," he says. "This being my last year, that's another chip. I can't wait to get it rock and rolling."
As for Blidi, IU's attacking defense was exactly what he wanted.
"Coach Allen's defense allows you to make plays," he says. "It puts you at different spots. That will allow me to show my versatility. I am a versatile defensive tackle. They will utilize my skill set."
While evaluating IU, Blidi saw what an attacking defense could do.
"There were a lot of guys getting (tackles for losses) and sacks and causing turnovers. That excited me about this defense. That will be big for me and the defense in general. We'll feed off each other."
At Texas Tech, Blidi played in 35 games and totaled 40 tackles and two sacks. He says he played on three- and four-man defensive fronts, which helped develop his versatility.
"I was able to see what spots worked for me," he says.
As a three-star, two-way high school standout in New Mexico, he was recruited by Randolph. That relationship was a big reason why Blidi ended up a Hoosier.
"I knew what I would get from Coach Randolph. I knew he'd push me hard and push me past my limit. He'll make me better as a man. He will challenge me to be the best every day. That will help a lot. All the coaches challenge you and develop you."
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