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Knorr Confident in Defense


KelleyHoosh
  • Only one cornerback from last season who registered a tackle is back in Rashard Fant, while the other, Donovan Clark, may be sidelined for the year with a back injury.

SECONDARY HAS PROMISE

 

When Indiana football fans look at their secondary on paper, they are nervous but defensive coordinator Brian Knorr breathed an air of confidence into the secondary picture today after practice.

 

Only one cornerback from last season who registered a tackle is back in Rashard Fant, while the other, Donovan Clark, may be sidelined for the year with a back injury. There isn’t a lot of experience defending the pass and in a league like the Big 10 that’s a recipe for disaster.

 

Just because they haven’t done so yet, does not mean that this unit does not have the ability to play at a high level. There will likely be growing paints, but Knorr is impressed to this point with his younger players, particularly Jameel Cook and Jonathan Crawford.

 

“They will be in the mix,” Knorr said, “I think this is a special group as far as skill level and I think they can go out and play how we want.”

 

Knorr stressed that it will be important for the team to get an aggressive rush on quarterbacks so that the secondary will have a margin for error. A lot of his confidence seems to come from the growth and potential he has seen in players at corner and safety.

 

“Rashard, coming into his third year has developed more than anybody I’ve seen on this team. He is in position to be a big contributor for us.”

 

Some other expected contributors Knorr spoke highly of are Tyler Green and Devonte Williams.

 

“Size wise (Tyler Green) looks as good as anybody in the country from a corner standpoint. He still needs to develop a bit but he’s shown signs at boundary corner.” Knorr continued, “Devonte has a learning curve transitioning from running back, but he is athletically very talented and not afraid of contact. You should see him in the return game and or coverage.”

 

Of course, Williams and Green are new to the Hoosier program and will be looking to players who have some time under their belt to show them the ropes. Knorr expects Fant, Noel Padmore and Ben Bach to fill that mentor role. Fant also notes that he has done his best to impart wisdom on the younger players.

 

“I played in all 12 games last year, so I have to tell the guys how practice and games are different. I want to be an example to the younger fellas,” said Fant. Padmore added, “I know the system and ins and outs of the defense. I try to watch film with the younger guys and help them.”

 

Knorr isn’t the only one with high expectations for Green and Williams. Veterans Padmore and Fant expect a lot out of the newcomers. The freshmen have learned the playbook well enough for Fant to say he feels “comfortable” with them on the field.

 

“I feel like Devonte was a corner from the beginning,” Padmore stated. Fant thinks he is a natural at cornerback thanks to his, “quick feet and because he is never scared to hit.”

 

Green has shown all types of promise athletically to this point, earning high praise from his teammates in the backfield.

 

“I thought I was quick but then I watch him,” Fant said. “I know about Richard Sherman but I’ve never seen someone so tall and so fast with my own eyes,” Padmore added with a laugh.

 

Knorr thinks playing against the Hoosier offense will pay dividends during games.

 

“We are tested every day by our offense, being able to cover the field and do it fast. I think our guys are getting a lot more comfortable.”

 

The competition in practice is something the players say have ramped up this year.

 

“I know I have to go hard in practice every day so guys are ready when we play Ohio State,” Fant said while stressing how he leads this unit.

 

While Fant is gearing up for the Buckeyes, IU knows their first substantial test should be week three in the form of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Knorr noted that teams will, “try and spread us out to test us early,” and that the Hoosiers will be ready when Heisman hopeful Brandon Doughty and WKU come to Bloomington.

 

DEFENSE NOTES

 

The strength of this defense will be the front seven according to Knorr. Among those in the front seven he expects fans to see a lot is freshman lineman Jacob Robinson from Westfield, Indiana.

 

“I’ve been impressed with his intensity. It is hard to believe he’s a freshman guy.”

 

Joining Robinson on the line, or rather, returning to anchor it, is Darius Latham. Coming off a knee injury, Knorr expects a lot out of Latham this year.

 

“Its good to see number 98 out there. I think this year he will be very athletic and make a ton of plays.”

 

One luxury that the Hoosiers can enjoy across the board on defense is depth. Knorr believes it will play a pivotal role in the Hoosier’s season.

 

“The biggest thing it does right now is let us get guys into the right position. Guys like Nick Mangieri and Zack Shaw. It also saves guys about twelve to fifteen sprints in the course of a game.”

 

Mangieri and Shaw are expected by their coach to be “dynamic,” players this year.

 

‘I think Nick needs to be a dynamic player athletically with his hand in the dirt, and be able to rush the passer. What we do suits him great,” Knorr said before adding that Shaw should provide explosion off the edge while rushing passers.

 

The linebackers have a lot expected of them in the 3-4 scheme, and Knorr highlighted Marcus Oliver and Tegray Scales who provide a lot of depth and flexibility in that regard. Knorr added the team still has plenty of work to do and must work on things like learning the subtleties of an odd front defense and the best way to look pre snap.

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