Learn and Grow -- Playmaking Highlights Spring Practice
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sophomore safety Phillip Dunnam attacks. Indiana’s defensive approach demands it. Defensive co-coordinator/safeties coach Matt Guerrieri emphasizes it.
A recent scrimmage rocks with intensity inside the Mellencamp Pavilion, and on this particular play, no one rocks better than Dunnam. He storms into the backfield and blows up the play with a behind-the-line-of-scrimmage tackle. That sends Guerrieri into full-blown celebration mode.
A moment later, a defensive breakdown gets another quick Guerrieri response.
“Do your job!” he shouts.
Off to the side, assistant head coach/cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby strides the field with the look of a man on a quest.
“Tighten down,” he shouts. Then, when a player shifts into the right position, “Sit right there.” Then, when a player seems rattled, “Relax and play.” Finally, when a player loses focus, “Where are your eyes at?”
It all reflects the energy and focus head coach Tom Allen and his staff seek as spring practice is in its final week.
“We created a lot of game-like situations,” Allen says.
Such situations take on extra urgency during scrimmages. Allen focuses on the spring's second one, calling it, “The best one I’ve been part of as far as the competition going back and forth between the offense and the defense.
“It came down to the final snap. That’s awesome. Guys were making plays.”
Play-making is huge, especially as it centers on two major spring goals -- improve the running game on offense, stop the run on defense.
“We’re making progress on both sides,” Allen says. “Guys are stepping up. We’re able to teach off of that, and show the areas of takeaways and protecting the ball, and then explosive plays. We want to create more of that.”
Jaylin Lucas is at the center of that explosive-play goal, but he’s not alone. Kamryn Perry is similar in size (5-9, 158 pounds), speed, and elusiveness to Lucas (5-9, 166), who earned freshman All-America honors last year.
Perry played in just one game last season while redshirting. He will get a slot receiver opportunity, and if he takes advantage of it, imagine what the Hoosier offense could do.
Allen certainly is.
“(Perry) needs to be a guy who steps up,” he says. “He popped so much last year on the scout team. With his ball skills, ability to make guys miss and the burst he has, we have to get him the ball in space.
“He’s very similar to Jaylin. To have two of those guys in that role is big. It’s about making plays in space.”
Offensive coordinator Walt Bell aims to take full advantage.
“We’re challenging (Perry) to finish (spring practice) strong,” Allen says, “and learn the system. This is a chance for him to grow. He’s one of those guys you say, find ways to get him the ball in space.”
Safety Louis Moore is fully aware of what could happen if IU does that.
“He can be a great receiver,” Moore says. “He could be 1,000-yard plus. Last year, he redshirted, but he went against us in practice. I think this will be a breakout year for him.”
Adds husky Noah Pierre: “When he first got here, he was the quick guy. Now he’s taken the next step with learning the plays and trying to read defenses.”
Defensively, Allen likes what he’s seen from cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe, James Monds III, Kobee Minor and Jamier Johnson.
The 5-11 Monds and the 6-1 Sharpe redshirted last season as true freshmen. Monds played in two games, Sharpe in three.
“Jamari stands out,” Allen says. “He’s really talented. He has a lot of length, and great speed and acceleration. I’m excited about his development.
“James Mond continues to grow and develop.”
The 6-foot Minor is a transfer from Texas Tech. He had 12 tackles and two pass breakups last season. The 6-foot Johnson transferred from Texas. He had five tackles and one pass breakup.
“Kobee and Jamier are talented,” Allen says. “They have length. We have a little bit different body types than we’ve had, more of the 6-foot-plus guys. We want to take advantage of that.”
Allen and his staff continue to test the cornerbacks pass coverage skills, because they will be tested during the season, starting with the opener against perennial powerhouse Ohio State.
“We created game situations to see who’s able to step up.” Allen says. “We did a lot of third downs, a lot of emphasis on our coverages. It’s exciting to see new guys step up.”
Once spring practice is over, Allen and his staff will take another hard look at the transfer portal, specifically offensive and defensive linemen, and skilled offensive and defensive players.
“We had a big meeting about that,” Allen says. “We’re trying to be very aggressive with that. We’ll see what’s out there.
“It’s a whole new world. We want to get them here before summer."