Fisher Poised to Be a Big Hoosier Hit
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - In an alternate universe, Aiden Fisher might be a college quarterback, running more than passing, moving the chains anyway possible while directing a difference-making offensive attack.
In this universe, he’s an Indiana linebacker, a transfer from James Madison University hoping to duplicate the all-conference success he had last season under head coach Curt Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and help lead an offense-ruining unit.
Both coaches are now in identical roles at IU.
The 6-2, 232-pound Fisher’s defensive preference came from this hard-earned truth -- it’s better to give than receive.
“To simply put it,” he says with a smile, “I’d rather hit people than be hit.”
Fisher was once a two-way standout at Virginia’s Riverbend High School. On offense, he was an all-district quarterback as a junior, and then an all-district running back as a senior. On defense, he was an all-district linebacker tackling machine.
“Going into my senior year, I switched to running back,” he says. “I started taking more hits than I did at quarterback. That put the idea of let’s hit somebody instead of getting hit.”
Pragmatism also was a factor. Like many college football players, Fisher has NFL aspirations. Linebacker is the best option and it’s boosted by Haines’ coaching style.
“Seeing the way I could develop and have a chance to play in the NFL gravitated me toward linebacker,” Fisher says. “Coach Haines sold me on how he could develop me as a player. I’ve been there since then.”
Last season at James Madison, Fisher had a team-leading 108 tackles with 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He added an interception, eight pass breakups, and a blocked kick.
Then Cignetti took the Indiana job, bringing much of his staff with him, and Fisher pursued new opportunities.
“When I entered the portal,” he says, “I kept my options open. I wasn’t sure where I’d end up. I talked to a couple of schools. It came down to IU and another school.
“The biggest thing for me was continuing my development with Coach Haines. The system they put me in and the way I’ve seen myself grow, not only as a player, but as a person and a leader, I didn’t see a reason to stop that.
“This was something I wanted to keep chasing.”
Fisher’s family was fully supportive. James Madison is in Virginia, which meant they could attend every game. That’s less likely given the coast-to-coast nature of the expanded Big Ten, with USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon beginning play this fall.
“Leaving Virginia was definitely a challenge,” Fisher says. “My family helped me get here. They wanted me to get on the biggest stage, show why I’m supposed to be here. They motivated me to do it.”
The jump to the Big Ten can be formidable or exciting or both. It depends on perspective.
“It’s a bigger scale, the Big Ten compared to other conferences,” Fisher says. “I look at it as an opportunity to prove myself and show I belong here.
“A lot of the guys who transferred in, that’s why we’re here, we’re ready to play on the biggest stage. We’re excited for it.”
Fisher figures to provide impact by word and deed in Haines’ defense.
“(At James Madison), I started as a package guy, and I evolved into a starter. It’s been upward from there.
“I embrace a leadership role. I’m more of an energy guy. I bring energy and lead the guys. I’ll share my knowledge and get everyone on the same page so we can start playing faster and be explosive.”
Leadership includes relationship building.
“The biggest thing for me is being around the guys as much as I can. You’re together in workouts and meetings, but it’s what you do off the field. Any time I’m able to get with the guys, like going golfing or going to dinner, I do it. We want to get continuity going with the (linebacker) group, and build off of that. Get our chemistry going.”
Fisher says his quarterback background gives him an edge.
“I have a better viewpoint of the offense, what they want to do and what they want to attack. It helps me understand how to counter that.”
Fisher will join with fellow James Madison transfer linebacker Jailin Walker, who totaled 124 tackles in two years as a Dukes starter.
“He’s an explosive and dynamic player,” Fisher says. “He will be great to play alongside. We’re excited to play with everybody in this group and in that room. We’ll be able to play off of each other and build that chemistry.”
Last year, James Madison led the nation in rushing yards allowed (61.5) and tackles for loss per game (9.1). The previous season, the Dukes ranked second nationally by allowing 79.5 rushing yards and totaling 8.6 tackles for loss. They also had a top-25 scoring defense over the last two seasons.
“It’s an explosive defense,” Fisher says. “We allow our players to play fast and free. That’s what attracts players and what allows us to be successful. We’re able to play fast and play off each other. That’s the biggest thing to it.”
A banged-up defensive line has caused spring practice limitations, although Fisher sees it as a silver lining.
“It gives other guys a chance,” he says. “Some guy who might have gotten limited reps is now getting a lot of reps. We’re building our depth. We’ll get those (projected starters) back healthy for the fall. Right now, it’s great to build that continuity.”
Adds Cignetti: “We all know the defense has been shorthanded throughout the spring, but it’s given other guys an opportunity to get reps and get better.”
Through it all, Fisher believes the best is still ahead.
“I want to prove it to my teammates and my opponents and the fans. There’s a lot of drive inside of me."