Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Running Backs
8/14/2023 2:30:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – As the Indiana Football program started the third week of fall camp, associate head coach/running backs Craig Johnson and select running backs addressed the media inside Memorial Stadium on Monday (August 14).
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Craig Johnson | Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
On the different skillsets of the running back room and the opportunities they provide…
CJ: I'd like to think all of our guys can play multiple positions. We don't really key them for one position or another. We try to have some one-back sets and try to have some two-back sets. Our guys try to learn every position. I think that's key, that way they can play it if needed to go against our opponent. I think they're all coming along in that. That's really a challenge to have to play multiple positions, but it makes you a little bit more multiple. We're going to continue to test those guys to the limit, especially in the preseason, and then see if we can be effective with that.
On the growth of Jaylin Lucas from year one to year two…
CJ: I think the early-game jitters when he was a true freshman, that was a lot for him. Now, he plays like a second-year player. I think he's understanding the game, the pace of the game, what he's got to do, practices at a really high level, football is very important to him, he works on his craft hard. I like what I have seen so far, but I'm never in love with what I've seen so far. There's always room to grow.
On what Coach Johnson has challenged with Lucas to grow this year…
CJ: I just think that as a three-phase player: running the ball, catching the ball and pass protection. I put that on every back I've been on for all the years I've coached them. And don't be happy you had "such-and-such" a year ago because last year is over. No one cares. And this year, I expect him to step up in all three phases. He is attempting to do that and he has made some very good strides.
Josh Henderson | RB | Sr.+
On Coach Johnson's thoughts on the performance of the running backs during the scrimmage…
JH: I think the message was just that he's not satisfied with how we did, and frankly we hold each other to a high standard, so none of us were really satisfied. We just know that we can play better. He coaches us to be better than that. So just getting better, moving forward is the main message that he told us.
On what needs to happen to perform the way they want…
JH: I've been coachable for a while now and I know what to expect. So, it's really just bringing confidence to the field, bringing people with me, being a leader on and off the field, and holding the youngest guys accountable and just elevating the style of play from everybody around me.
Jaylin Lucas | RB | So.
On how the room is working and progressing despite an ongoing quarterback battle…
JL: I'd say just making sure it is the right guy and just having the right timing on balls. But just making sure that we communicate on the field, That's the main thing that I focus on, and that's basically what I'm mainly working on.
On working with the other running backs…
JL: They teach us a lot really. I can say that the people from the transfer portal, they came in knowing what to do, and just studying day in and day out on film. That's been a great job. But overall, it's been great just getting to know new things from new people from the portal and the transition is coming along well.
Christian Turner | RB | R-Sr.+
On how his time at Wake Forest has helped him in camp…
CT: The experience I had at Wake Forest has definitely helped me with things that are going on here. In terms of just, the slow mesh, being able to read defenses, seeing how the safeties rotate, and just blocking heavy. So, I think I could take things I learned from Wake Forest and bring them here in this more traditional-style offense.
On reading plays in more depth…
CT: At the end of the day, you just got to trust your movements and trust what you've been taught. So before the play, you just look at all your movement keys, and everything that you have and you just have to slow the game down in your head and just play football after that.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Craig Johnson | Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
On the different skillsets of the running back room and the opportunities they provide…
CJ: I'd like to think all of our guys can play multiple positions. We don't really key them for one position or another. We try to have some one-back sets and try to have some two-back sets. Our guys try to learn every position. I think that's key, that way they can play it if needed to go against our opponent. I think they're all coming along in that. That's really a challenge to have to play multiple positions, but it makes you a little bit more multiple. We're going to continue to test those guys to the limit, especially in the preseason, and then see if we can be effective with that.
On the growth of Jaylin Lucas from year one to year two…
CJ: I think the early-game jitters when he was a true freshman, that was a lot for him. Now, he plays like a second-year player. I think he's understanding the game, the pace of the game, what he's got to do, practices at a really high level, football is very important to him, he works on his craft hard. I like what I have seen so far, but I'm never in love with what I've seen so far. There's always room to grow.
On what Coach Johnson has challenged with Lucas to grow this year…
CJ: I just think that as a three-phase player: running the ball, catching the ball and pass protection. I put that on every back I've been on for all the years I've coached them. And don't be happy you had "such-and-such" a year ago because last year is over. No one cares. And this year, I expect him to step up in all three phases. He is attempting to do that and he has made some very good strides.
Josh Henderson | RB | Sr.+
On Coach Johnson's thoughts on the performance of the running backs during the scrimmage…
JH: I think the message was just that he's not satisfied with how we did, and frankly we hold each other to a high standard, so none of us were really satisfied. We just know that we can play better. He coaches us to be better than that. So just getting better, moving forward is the main message that he told us.
On what needs to happen to perform the way they want…
JH: I've been coachable for a while now and I know what to expect. So, it's really just bringing confidence to the field, bringing people with me, being a leader on and off the field, and holding the youngest guys accountable and just elevating the style of play from everybody around me.
Jaylin Lucas | RB | So.
On how the room is working and progressing despite an ongoing quarterback battle…
JL: I'd say just making sure it is the right guy and just having the right timing on balls. But just making sure that we communicate on the field, That's the main thing that I focus on, and that's basically what I'm mainly working on.
On working with the other running backs…
JL: They teach us a lot really. I can say that the people from the transfer portal, they came in knowing what to do, and just studying day in and day out on film. That's been a great job. But overall, it's been great just getting to know new things from new people from the portal and the transition is coming along well.
Christian Turner | RB | R-Sr.+
On how his time at Wake Forest has helped him in camp…
CT: The experience I had at Wake Forest has definitely helped me with things that are going on here. In terms of just, the slow mesh, being able to read defenses, seeing how the safeties rotate, and just blocking heavy. So, I think I could take things I learned from Wake Forest and bring them here in this more traditional-style offense.
On reading plays in more depth…
CT: At the end of the day, you just got to trust your movements and trust what you've been taught. So before the play, you just look at all your movement keys, and everything that you have and you just have to slow the game down in your head and just play football after that.
#GoIU
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