Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Amare Ferrell, Mikail Kamara, & Carter Smith
8/5/2025 1:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– As the second week of fall camp continues, juniors Amare Ferrell and Carter Smith and senior Mikail Kamara addressed the media inside Memorial Stadium on Tuesday (August 5).
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.
Amare Ferrell | Jr. | DB
On what he's seen from Byron Baldwin…
AF: For him it's to make sure he's doing everything to the standard and doing everything the right way. Since he's a freshman, we want to make sure he's ready to play, ready to practice and ready to know the playbook. We want him to do everything right. His chances are better of getting on the field that way.
On this secondary to the one last year…
AF: I think this secondary is a lot more versatile. You've got a lot of guys that can play a lot of different spots. We can move and do a lot of different things with this secondary. I think that's the biggest difference.
On how he feels compared to last year…
AF: I feel way more comfortable. I know the playbook in and out. I think I'm the guy that keeps the defense calm when we need a check or something. I'm always talking to [Aiden] Fisher at linebacker so we're always on the same page on defense.
Mikail Kamara | R-Sr. | DL
On Mario Landino's growth and playing next to him…
MK: He's (Mario) been a guy. Even since last year, he's gotten some snaps and he's been playing really well. He worked his butt off all summer and I'm starting to really see the result now. He put on some weight. He's like 285, 290, still twitchy, still moving, really smart. So, he's been playing really well. Him trying to figure out that interior position, he's been dominating. That three-tech position, he's been getting off the ball, making plays. He's a hell of a player.
On Hosea Wheeler and what he's shown…
MK: He's been great, too. He's been a great energy piece. He's a guy that goes out there and flies around, makes noise and does what he needs to do. As far as skill and technique standpoint, he's playing well. He's good against the run and good against the pass. Real power guy, real strong, powerful guy. He's making plays all over the field. I feel like what he does, really setting that anchor is great.
On his quest to have a defensive player of the year type season…
MK: I think the biggest thing for me is my motor. I felt like it was great last year, but I feel like I left a couple plays out there motor wise. I think it's just playing harder every single play. I feel like I've gotten bigger, faster, stronger throughout the offseason, my mental is really hardened. Especially going to some of those away games playing against bigger and better competition. It's like in those games I really need to be attacking in those games. I think that's the thing that's going to set me apart going through the season.
Carter Smith | R-Sr. | OL
On how Drew Evans has looked in his return to the field…
CS: He's playing really hard. I think his effort is showing really well in film. It's always nice to have a piece back that was missing. Going through the spring, it did feel like I was missing my guy. I think he's fitting in really well and is doing well.
On Pat [Coogan]'s leadership…
CS: I could tell from day one. He's loud. He's a communicator. He does really well making all of his calls. He keeps his eyes up. He's very focused and very attentive. But he also likes to keep the mood light. If someone's down, he's going to pick them up and pat them on the back. He's fit in really well.
On the biggest change in the program under Coach Cignetti…
CS: The mood. Not everyone is as depressed as they would be. There's a lot of smiles around the facility and that's always great to see. Everyone's having a good time and we mesh very well.
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.
Amare Ferrell | Jr. | DB
On what he's seen from Byron Baldwin…
AF: For him it's to make sure he's doing everything to the standard and doing everything the right way. Since he's a freshman, we want to make sure he's ready to play, ready to practice and ready to know the playbook. We want him to do everything right. His chances are better of getting on the field that way.
On this secondary to the one last year…
AF: I think this secondary is a lot more versatile. You've got a lot of guys that can play a lot of different spots. We can move and do a lot of different things with this secondary. I think that's the biggest difference.
On how he feels compared to last year…
AF: I feel way more comfortable. I know the playbook in and out. I think I'm the guy that keeps the defense calm when we need a check or something. I'm always talking to [Aiden] Fisher at linebacker so we're always on the same page on defense.
Mikail Kamara | R-Sr. | DL
On Mario Landino's growth and playing next to him…
MK: He's (Mario) been a guy. Even since last year, he's gotten some snaps and he's been playing really well. He worked his butt off all summer and I'm starting to really see the result now. He put on some weight. He's like 285, 290, still twitchy, still moving, really smart. So, he's been playing really well. Him trying to figure out that interior position, he's been dominating. That three-tech position, he's been getting off the ball, making plays. He's a hell of a player.
On Hosea Wheeler and what he's shown…
MK: He's been great, too. He's been a great energy piece. He's a guy that goes out there and flies around, makes noise and does what he needs to do. As far as skill and technique standpoint, he's playing well. He's good against the run and good against the pass. Real power guy, real strong, powerful guy. He's making plays all over the field. I feel like what he does, really setting that anchor is great.
On his quest to have a defensive player of the year type season…
MK: I think the biggest thing for me is my motor. I felt like it was great last year, but I feel like I left a couple plays out there motor wise. I think it's just playing harder every single play. I feel like I've gotten bigger, faster, stronger throughout the offseason, my mental is really hardened. Especially going to some of those away games playing against bigger and better competition. It's like in those games I really need to be attacking in those games. I think that's the thing that's going to set me apart going through the season.
Carter Smith | R-Sr. | OL
On how Drew Evans has looked in his return to the field…
CS: He's playing really hard. I think his effort is showing really well in film. It's always nice to have a piece back that was missing. Going through the spring, it did feel like I was missing my guy. I think he's fitting in really well and is doing well.
On Pat [Coogan]'s leadership…
CS: I could tell from day one. He's loud. He's a communicator. He does really well making all of his calls. He keeps his eyes up. He's very focused and very attentive. But he also likes to keep the mood light. If someone's down, he's going to pick them up and pat them on the back. He's fit in really well.
On the biggest change in the program under Coach Cignetti…
CS: The mood. Not everyone is as depressed as they would be. There's a lot of smiles around the facility and that's always great to see. Everyone's having a good time and we mesh very well.
#NeverDaunted
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