Sacking Quarterbacks Top Priority for Carter, Hoosiers
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Mention sacking quarterbacks to Andre Carter, and he goes into beast mode.
The Indiana defensive lineman isn’t alone.
Carter adds outside linebackers Myles Jackson and Lanell Carr to the Hoosiers’ potential game-changing, quarterback punishing defensive attack.
“We constantly compete for sacks,” the Western Michigan transfer says. “We’re like lions going after the gazelle every day. I’m trying to get more. They’re trying to get more. We work with each other. We critique each other. We working our moves to the best of our ability.”
In his last two seasons, the 6-5, 273-pounder totaled 19 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. That potential got Hoosier head coach Tom Allen’s attention. When Carter decided to leave Western Michigan for a shot at Power 5 conference opportunity, Allen made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“He’s a difference maker,” Allen says. “We need to have that. We need a guy who can pressure the quarterback. We need a big, physical presence in there.
“I love what he brings. We’re going to be creative with that.”
Creativity includes the 6-1, 243-pound Carr, a West Virginia transfer with the size, strength, and athleticism crucial for pressuring quarterbacks. Last season, in his first significant college playing time, Carr had 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Allen and the defensive coaches have big plans for him and Carter.
“Lanell gives us something we haven’t had in the pass rush area,” Allen says. “Those two guys get me excited about moving them around and creating matchups.”
Carter is excited to see what he can do as a Hoosier.
“I thought I’d play at the edge, but I’m playing everywhere, up and down the line. I love it.”
IU has adopted a more physical spring approach. Carter loves that, as well.
“I love how every day we’re coming and attacking,” he says. “It’s all about being better the next day. We’re never satisfied with the day we had. We’re always trying to do more. We want more takeaways, more sacks, more tackles for loss, more fumble recoveries. It’s an honor to come to work.”
Practicing against a Big Ten offense has helped him.
“The backs are faster than I thought they’d be,” he says. “The plays are more stretched. There’s a big difference as far as reading things, so I have to play faster.
“They make me better. I make them better. It’s going to be a great season.”
The bonds in the defensive line room, Carter says, accelerate improvement.
“The guys I work with make it easier to grasp the information and techniques. Me being a physical player, that’s important.”
So is the camaraderie.
“We have a lot of transfers on the defensive line, and the guys who were are very welcoming. They all come to work every day. It’s awesome.”