Something to Prove – Camper, Hoosiers Ready for Ohio State Challenge
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Cam Camper is healthy and pumped. The knee is healed; the doubts resolved. Indiana’s senior receiver is ready to join his Hoosier teammates in trying to deliver a rock-the-college-football-world performance against Ohio State.
“We’ve got everybody back; everybody is ready to go,” he says about Saturday’s season opener at Memorial Stadium. “We’ve got something to prove. Every day we step out there, we’re going to do what we have to do.”
Camper will take his first game step in 11 months against the Buckeyes. A torn ACL cost him the final four games of last season, but not his determination and sense of urgency. He’s worked too hard and too long for this opportunity.
“I feel confident,” he says. “I’m ready to play with my group of guys. That’s the main thing.”
Last season, his first as a Hoosier after transferring from junior college, Camper delivered an instant-impact performance. Despite missing the final four games, he still led IU in catches (46) and yardage (569).
His 33 catches in his first four games were the most by any Hoosier receiver in this century.
Surgery recovery kept him out of spring practice. Coaches limited Camper’s contact for much of fall camp, but he’s been full-go recently as the Hoosiers ramped up their Ohio State preparations.
“I pretty much do everything,” he says. “We’re making sure we’re being smart about everything, keeping me safe, and making sure nothing crazy happens.”
Now he will face an Ohio State defense loaded with potential future NFL players.
“Especially with who we’re playing against, it’s going to be fun out there,” he says. “That’s where my mind is right now. I’m not worried about who we’re playing, I’m just glad to be playing football again.”
Camper is part of a strong receiving group that includes Donaven McCulley (head coach Tom Allen expects a break-through season from him), Andison Coby, Kamryn Perry and Omar Cooper Jr., plus transfers DeQuece Carter of Fordham and E.J. Williams Jr. of Clemson. There’s also do-it-all Jaylin Lucas (offensive coordinator Walt Bell calls him a “move-around toy”) who will play running back and receiver as well as handle kick-return duties.
All of them can alternate between slot and outside receiver.
“We have a lot of ways to attack that position,” Bell says.
In 38 games at Fordham, Carter caught 176 passes for 3,035 yards and 31 touchdowns. Last year against Colgate, he had 14 catches for 218 yards.
“The No. 1 thing is his experience,” Bell says. “He’s played a ton of football. He got here and did a lot of learning. He’s got caught up to speed and has been playing really well.”
Lucas, who earned All-America honors last year as a true freshman, is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. He had 944 all-purpose yards (591 as a kick returner, 271 as a running back, 82 as a receiver). The key is getting the 5-9, 170-pounder the ball in open space where he can best utilize his quickness and elusiveness.
“What can we do to make sure we create touches and space for Jaylin?” Bell says. “Not only get him the ball, but get it to him in the right spots so he can do something with it at his best. Make sure he can do the most amount of damage in the least amount of time.”
Lucas is part of a strong running back room that includes Josh Henderson and Trent Howland, plus Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner.
“Josh has good ball skills,” Bell says. “He can play the slot and on the edge. Christian has played a lot of valuable reps. Trent is a big, thick, physical kid. You’ve got four guys you feel comfortable with.”
A key Hoosier question is who will run the offense. The quarterback battle between Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby has been decided, but not publicly revealed.
Both are redshirt freshmen with a combined six college completions. Both are dual threats as Bell seeks to put maximum pressure on defenses.
“Both are going to be really good players,” he says.
Given the importance of the position, as Bell says, “Typically, when your quarterback plays well, your team plays well. When he doesn’t, you don’t. We want to put them in position to be successful.”
Priority No. 1 is to take care of the ball.
“That’s of the utmost importance,” Bell says. “Both of those guys have to do that.
“It starts with the pre-snap process. Eliminate confusion at the line of scrimmage. If a guy isn’t right, can you get him right? It’s your line-of-scrimmage communication.
“After the snap, can you drive your eyes to where you’re supposed to early in the downs? Can you be smart in the later downs? Those are different things. Both manifest themselves when the ball is in jeopardy.
“Then there is comfortability, and leadership ability. Do you create confidence in the other 10 guys out there? Those things, especially for younger guys, are linchpins in making a decision.”
Ultimately, Bell says, the message is to be the best version of yourself. Play with confidence. Don’t worry about making a mistake.
“Have enough belief in yourself and in the work you’ve put in. You have earned the right to play.”
Ohio State’s defense is led by All-American linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, who has totaled 186 career tackles, 18.5 for loss.
Jim Knowles is in his second season as defensive coordinator after runs at Oklahoma State and Duke.
“The No. 1 thing is their personnel,” Bell says. “They have a good group. If you get down to it, take those 11 starters, name one who doesn’t have a chance to play in the NFL. There probably isn’t one.
“They are long. They can run. (Eichenberg) might be the best linebacker we see all year, maybe the best in the country. They have good players who have played a lot all over their defense.
“I have a lot of respect for Coach Knowles. He’s played great defense everywhere he’s been, in different styles. He’s always been very adaptive to his personnel, no matter where he’s been.
“The challenge for us is to find, what’s their flavor this year? We’re excited to play them.”