Are the Indiana Hoosiers Bowl Bound with Kevin Wilson?

Defense

Let’s be honest and say this was a terrible defense. In every way. Giving up more than 500 yards on offense, including 237 on the ground, there was not a lot to cheer for last year. Now, with former Wake Forest defensive coordinator Brian Knorr switching to a 3-4, next year’s defense should still struggle, because I have always said that the first year in a new scheme is difficult. However, Knorr has the personnel to transition a little easier than you might think, and there is a good bit of size and talent back, so maybe improvement is in the works.

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Up front is where defenses start, and up front is where things weren’t great last year for Indiana. It’s already been mentioned that the Hoosiers gave up 237 yards on the ground, but they also only registered 20 sacks on the year. They’re also losing their best end, John Laihinen. However, this is where the 3-4 transition should go more smoothly than you might think. Knorr will have two giant sophomore defensive tackles he’ll be able to rotate in and out in Ralph Green III and Darius Latham, both at 6’5 325 pounds, and that’s always the most important piece in a 3-4, the big tackle in the middle. Green III recorded a sack and 4.5 tackles for a loss last year, and Latham recorded 2 sacks and was a 4-star recruit on Rivals. Both guys should be very valuable, and there’s a chance they could line up next to each other at some point. On the end, Bobby Richardson will bring some pretty good size of his own as a senior at 6’3 and 288 pounds, and Zack Shaw brings a little more agility, but still size, at 6’3 and 264 pounds. Shawn Heffern and David Kenney, who was a Rivals 4-star, could also see some action. There is plenty of size up front to allow the switch to a 3-4 for Knorr, and perhaps it’ll be for the better so there are more linebackers in to provide the agility.

At linebacker, there’s size as well. The smallest guy who had significant playing time last year was T.J. Simmons at 228 pounds, and the weight went up to 265 pounds in Nick Mangieri. Size is important among linebackers too in this scheme if they can keep their agility. Simmons and Senior David Cooper should do fine on the inside in this system depending on how quickly they can pick it up, and behind them, Marcus Oliver should see some action. On the outside, there’s plenty of depth, with Forisse Hardin, Clyde Newton, Mangieri, and Steve Funderburk all seeing action last year. Sitting behind all of them, Kyle Kennedy will be a junior, and although he has never seen much action, he brings some pretty good size at 6’3 240 pounds. Of the three freshman, all Rivals 3-stars, Tegray Scales and Damien Willis weigh 205 and 210 respectively, the lightest bunch of the unit. Greg Gooch, though, is at 6’2 and 245 pounds and adds some more size and depth. This unit also struggled pretty badly last year, so a switch to a 3-4, while a tough transition, could be welcome. It’s not like they could’ve done too much worse.

The secondary struggled like the rest of the unit last year, which is evidenced by corner back Tim Bennett’s 67 tackles, which

Nov 30, 2013; Bloomington, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey (80) catches a pass and is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers cornerback Michael Hunter (17) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

indicates a lot of plays in the backfield and completions that he gave up. However, he broke up 20 passes and had an interception, so coming back for his senior year, he has some ability. On the other side, Michael Hunter broke up 7 passes and had a forced fumble and interception. He’s back for his junior year and should get better. Safety Greg Heban is gone, but Mark Murphy can fill the other spot just fine, and Heban’s departure allows Antonio Allen, who was a 4-star on Rivals and contributed significantly as a freshman last year, to step into a full-time role. Look for Allen to have a breakout year, which should dramatically improve the secondary. Kenny Mullen also saw some action last year and should see some more again, and with three newcomers and four other redshirt freshmen on the offense, including Rivals 4-star Rashard Fant, there is plenty of depth here.

Overall, experience should have been enough for the defense to be much better this year, but with the change in system, it’ll be like a bunch of freshmen out there. However, a 3-4 defense fits the personnel already in place, so although there will be growing pains, it’ll actually be balanced out by the players playing in a better system. In short, with those two things working against each other, the defense should be about the same as last year and get much better in the future.