‘Anchor of Defense’ – Tucker Ready to be the ‘Voice’ IU Needs
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tyrique Tucker has the voice now, the leadership burden, the expectation to show his fellow Indiana defensive tackles, and all the Hoosiers, how to play the game to head coach Curt Cignetti’s title-winning standards.
Tucker had that responsibility last season, but with veteran standouts Mikail Kamara, Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley setting the tone, he was more in the background.
Now, as a 6-foot, 307-pound fifth-year year senior, the leadership spotlight is on him.
“I’m trying to be that voice,” he says. “We have a lot of young guys, a lot of defensive tackles and defensive linemen, and a lot of young guys in general. I want to be an example and set the standard because I know what the standard is. Hopefully everybody rises to that standard and I can show them a prime example and lead by example.”
Last season, Tucker emerged as an All-American force with 40 tackles, 12 for loss and six sacks, plus two passes defended. That set a high bar. Now comes the challenge to raise it, and it involves more than individual performance.
“My role is to be the anchor of this defense,” he says. “Do what I do and control what I can, and lead by example.
“A lot of young guys look up to me. They are watching, so I have to be on my Ps and Qs even more than I was last year. I have to act more mature and lead the way because I’m one of the oldest ones.”
Tucker has been with Cignetti for all five of his college seasons. He’s well versed in what’s expected.
“I’ve been in the program longer than anyone,” he says. “I understand what the coaches demand and what we should demand from ourselves. The work that it took to get here.
“Nothing comes overnight. I try to show the way and be more vocal. This team needs that.”
Tucker has dealt with adversity, in football and in life. His mother, Tonya Giddings-Tucker, passed away from cancer in April of 2024. He and older brother Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, who played for Cignetti at James Madison, raised more than $70,000 to help with medical expenses.
“I felt like a real calling to do that,” Tucker says. “Seeing my mom fight like that, we were able to raise $70,000 for her. When she was battling and seeing how much that helped her and took all the stress off her. It pulled on my heart.”
That reflects the quality of Tucker’s character, Cignetti says.
“Tucker is one of my favorites. He’s kind of a funny guy. I had his brother. I was real close with their mom, who passed a couple of years ago.
“I’m proud of the progress he’s made as a player, and the things he accomplished last year.”
Then Cignetti the motivator kicks in.
“We’re looking for more. Like everybody else, you have to be humble and hungry. Nothing good in life comes easy. What’s cheap won’t last and what lasts ain’t cheap. You’ve got to pay the price.”
That’s true for Tucker and for all the Hoosiers, who have no intention of making last season’s 16-0 national title run, and the 11-2 record from the previous season, anomalies.
“We start the process by working day in and day out,” Tucker says. “You fall in love with the process and not so much the result.”
In other words, look forward and not back.
“Last year was last year and it was amazing,” Tucker says. “Now, it’s time to do that all over again. To do that you have to handle that every day and win every day.”
Tucker has thrived under defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz, who combines passion, technique, and attention to detail.
“He’s a very intense coach,” Tucker says. “He demands a lot from us. That in turn makes us rise to the standard that we have to meet every day. He’s very demanding and he coaches hard.
“At first, it’s a lot, but it’s him bringing out the best in you.”
The same is true for Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, who have transformed IU into a defensive powerhouse. Tucker is positioned to help sustain that.
“I’m counting on him to lead through his actions -- by being in the backfield a lot -- and have a big year,” Cignetti says.
“You improve by being consistent day in and day out to high standards and not being an up and down player. How you do some things is how you do everything. That goes for everybody, regardless of position.
“I look at our team in general and think, we’re OK there. I see us making progress.”
Fellow defensive lineman Mario Landino credits Tucker for helping his own improvement. Last year, Landino set career highs in tackles (32), tackles for loss (six), sacks (three), passes deflected (three), and forced fumbles (two).
“I’m always learning from him,” Landino says. “He’s a good person. He does great things on and off the field. He works really hard. That’s good for me to see. It pushes me to work even harder. I want to be just like him and work to a certain standard.”
That standard includes adapting to new football director of athletic performance Tyson Brown.
“Coach Brown is doing a phenomenal job,” Tucker says. “He gets us right. He uses a lot of new movements I’ve never done before. It’s good for my body. It’s good for everybody’s bodies.”
Last year, defensive linemen accounted for 65 of IU’s 129 tackles for loss, and for 24.5 of its 46 sacks. With the addition of transfers Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor from Kansas State, and Josh Burnham from Notre Dame, the goal is to maintain if not increase that disruption. Tucker says he saw signs of that in the spring.
“We’re all getting into the flow of things. Guys are learning as we go. Some young guys are standing out, getting better day in and day out. We’re all connected as a group -- Blake Smythe, Tobi, Chiddi, JB (Burnham). We’re all collectively getting better, day in and day out.”