Indiana Football Coach Tom Allen Talks Quarterbacks, Names Team Captains
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00:00 >> Are you, I can see you Jeff.
00:05 >> I can't see you, let's keep it that way.
00:07 >> No, but like.
00:08 >> [LAUGH] >> I'm just kidding, Jeff.
00:12 I'm about to spotlight so I don't see you.
00:13 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:16 >> All right, Tom, go ahead.
00:17 >> All right, good afternoon.
00:20 Just wanted to start by making a couple announcements.
00:24 Ryan Miller has retired from football due to some medical situations.
00:29 So gonna continue to be a part of our program and awesome young man.
00:34 And then also we voted for our captains, which always exciting process and
00:39 have our players vote and have the coaches as well.
00:43 And we've got five captains for the 2023 season, gonna be Noah Pierre and
00:49 Aaron Casey, Mike Kadek, Cam Camper and Andre Carter.
00:53 And really excited to have those five guys represent our program in that role.
00:59 Very well deserving guys that have come here and
01:02 many of them have been here for many years, six years for a couple of those guys.
01:06 And then also having Andre coming in here in January and
01:09 just earning the respect of his teammates and by his work ethic and
01:12 his performance during our practices at spring ball and all and the way he's worked.
01:17 So just really saw a group of guys that have come here and done some great things.
01:23 Cam Camper to me is just a picture of resilience and grit and toughness.
01:27 And Michael Kadek just continues to improve and get better as he's been here and
01:33 step into a role of leadership.
01:34 And so all five of those guys and how I feel about Aaron Casey and
01:38 what he's meant to our program and
01:39 no pair of those two guys represent us in Big Ten media day.
01:41 So really, really awesome group of young men that I'm excited to lead our team.
01:45 Questions?
01:46 >> All right, back to Zach.
01:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]
01:51 >> Hey coach, how you doing?
01:52 >> I'm doing great, buddy, how are you?
01:53 >> I'm okay.
01:55 >> I would see this past Saturday you guys had your second scrim.
01:58 Just want to see what you guys got out of that.
02:02 Did you get out of what you wanted?
02:03 I mean, as far as kind of solidifying your top 22,
02:08 30, 40 guys, if you hadn't already done that.
02:12 >> Yeah, that was a big part of it.
02:13 You go through and you think about the depth chart and who's gonna travel.
02:18 And that's kind of the big picture objective is that travel roster,
02:22 because that drives your special teams reps and guys are gonna be in that 74 man
02:27 group and who's gonna be the two deep, who's gonna be the next guy in beyond that.
02:32 Preach position, so felt like that was a major goal going in also
02:37 had the objective of a lot of situational football.
02:40 A lot of end of game situations we work through and just getting better,
02:44 trying to drive the ball and making this game like as possible.
02:48 Had an overtime period, like we usually do in the second scrimmage and
02:52 had a chance to go through that process and
02:54 have the officials there and work through all that.
02:56 And then also once again, just work on two minute and
02:59 just the kicking situation I thought was very, very positive.
03:03 So that was a big, big improvement from the previous scrimmage and
03:07 just the overall effort of our guys.
03:10 So very productive day, got a lot of reps, a lot of snaps,
03:13 went some live goes, which is good, and as well as a lot of situations.
03:17 So I thought it was very productive scrimmage.
03:18 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Yes, Tom, first question.
03:23 I suspect I know the answer.
03:25 Have you picked a quarterback?
03:26 Are you gonna tell us?
03:27 And if you won't tell us, can you at least talk through just kind of,
03:32 I think you said you wanted one coming out of the scrimmage.
03:35 Just kind of the process of going, sorting through and
03:38 basically coming to that decision.
03:40 >> Yeah, so yes, we have a decision and no, we're not gonna announce it.
03:46 So I would say that the process you go through, especially with two guys,
03:51 as we said before, that are the same age and both young, both talented,
03:56 both bring different skill sets to the team.
03:59 Very pleased with those guys, man.
04:02 I think they've just really, they both improved a lot since they've been here.
04:06 Obviously, Tavis has been here in a short amount of time, but
04:09 guys have just, they both worked extremely hard.
04:11 I think even in the leadership role, really challenged both of them.
04:15 And they've grown in those areas and are viewed in that regard.
04:18 So I think that two young men that we feel very,
04:22 very good about that have great qualities.
04:26 You're looking for a guy to be able to command that side of the football,
04:31 lead that side of the football.
04:33 And that's with leadership and production.
04:35 So you gotta make plays and run the offense and
04:38 just the verbalization of all that.
04:40 And the way when you don't huddle, you gotta be able to command and
04:44 make checks and adjustments and articulate things and
04:47 all different roles that go into that.
04:49 So you're looking for all those things from your guys.
04:51 And then obviously, you just wanna be able to move the ball down the field in live
04:56 situations and scrimmages and team goes and all that, we chart everything.
05:01 So, feel really good about the process we go through and
05:03 look, we got two guys we can win with.
05:05 >> Mason and Seth.
05:08 >> Coach, you just kind of mentioned it there.
05:11 You said you feel you have two guys that you can win with.
05:14 With this decision now being made, is it a decision that you can see playing out and
05:19 staying at your decision for a while?
05:22 How long do you think the leash is for your starter at this point?
05:26 >> I don't wanna get into all that.
05:27 I think bottom line is that we do feel like we have two guys that
05:32 are really good players and excited about that.
05:35 It's obviously a situation that you wanna be in to be able to have more than one.
05:39 And then obviously, Dexter continues to work hard to rehab and get back and
05:44 got a lot of meaningful reps as well.
05:46 So just bottom line is, as we know, we gotta be able to have multiple
05:50 quarterbacks to help us win and do what we need to do in 2023 season.
05:54 >> Seth and Todd.
05:56 >> So kind of a two parter, you just mentioned Dexter.
06:00 I was gonna ask you just about any health updates coming out of Paul's camp,
06:03 particularly with Dex and Ken Camper.
06:06 Just where are those two at coming out of camp, heading into game week?
06:09 And as far as all your, you had other position battles outside of quarterback,
06:14 kicker, wide receiver, and just kind of rotation on the defensive line.
06:18 Just have you kind of solidified your rotation there?
06:21 Where are all those position battles at?
06:23 >> Yeah, I think that as you kind of go through your questions,
06:28 Dexter continues to progress.
06:30 And it's just an ongoing thing.
06:33 So really probably not much is different than the last time we talked about it.
06:36 Just trying to, he will not be available to play these first few games.
06:41 And so we'll not even probably dress for that in that regard, he's not going in.
06:46 So but once he's able to do that, then we'll continue to see what he can do from
06:51 a mobility perspective and obviously continues to throw and
06:55 he'll continue to be developed and he'll practice with us.
06:59 And do everything he can do to be able to be in that position.
07:01 And then Ken Camper is doing a great job.
07:04 I feel like he's ready to go and should be.
07:08 Game one started for us and expected him to play.
07:12 And obviously, anytime you have a guy like that,
07:14 you always have a pitch count mentality.
07:17 But in regards to just being when he's out there, he should be full board.
07:21 And he had a chance, he went live with us for some reps, which is important.
07:26 Don't always do that with guys coming back from that injury,
07:29 no matter what position you play.
07:30 But just did some research on that and felt like that was important for
07:33 him to be able to have that confidence in it.
07:35 So that went well, it's been tackled.
07:38 And so that's a unique thing as well.
07:39 So feel good about that.
07:41 And then other guys, just the position battles, yeah, the kicking situation.
07:46 It's becoming more and more clear all the time.
07:48 And I feel good about where we're at there.
07:50 And then also, you talk about defensive line,
07:54 I think that's becoming more and more clear.
07:57 Feel good about it.
07:58 I mean, that's a group you obviously rotate quite a bit.
08:00 You have receivers, we're gonna play quite a few receivers.
08:02 And got good depth there.
08:05 And also in the secondary, you're trying to get the top five or six guys.
08:09 They're gonna rotate in and play.
08:10 And then those guys involved in special teams.
08:12 So you're gonna probably travel six corners.
08:15 And those top four guys will do most of the playing.
08:18 But then you have a couple other guys that gotta be ready to go.
08:21 And they'll be on special teams and be subs there as well.
08:23 And then same with safety and linebacker positions where you gotta have
08:27 special teams guys, same with tight end.
08:29 So, and then we're just gonna play.
08:32 The goal is to play a fair amount of guys just to keep them fresh and
08:35 allow them to be able to have the ability to finish strong in the fourth quarter.
08:38 And every position will be a little bit different in that regard.
08:40 But at the same time, I think our scrimmage this past weekend was big for that.
08:44 And even these last couple days, we had practice on Monday and
08:47 Tuesday of this week before we got into Ohio State preparation, which began today.
08:54 Really works a lot on just fundamentals and technique and
08:57 just kind of solidify some of those spots and
08:59 where we feel like we need to be in a depth track perspective.
09:02 So feel good about where we are and just trying to continue to build that,
09:08 solidify that here next couple days.
09:10 A couple guys that were maybe dinged up a little bit, did some running this morning.
09:15 Here we'll find out here a little bit about their status for practice tomorrow.
09:18 But nothing really been that long term.
09:21 So just it's been a pretty healthy fall camp overall.
09:25 I just gotta continue to be able to do that here these next couple days.
09:28 Then we'll get into game week next week.
09:30 >> [INAUDIBLE]
09:35 >> Question that relates to the same
09:36 thing.
09:37 For all of your position battles through camp,
09:40 did they develop at the pace that you wanted them to?
09:43 Decisions kind of firm up at the pace that you wanted them to.
09:46 And the reason I ask that is with the Big Ten game straight out of the chute,
09:50 did that add any urgency to making decisions at the position that felt you had?
09:56 >> Yeah, I think it does.
09:58 And I think that you gotta feel really good about those spots,
10:02 especially the guys that are gonna be the ones in the twos.
10:05 They're gonna do most of your playing.
10:08 And yeah, there's no question.
10:10 You don't have the luxury of having a game where you could maybe experiment
10:14 a little bit with that.
10:15 And so I think that that's a big deal.
10:19 But at the same time, I think, and also you kind of get some injuries.
10:23 If a guy misses a couple days, and you can't get that chance to evaluate
10:27 that part of it, that kind of maybe elongates it a little bit.
10:31 Had that situation at the kicker spot, and now the knee goes back and kicking.
10:35 So that probably delayed that process a little bit.
10:39 And I would say it'd be true for a couple other positions as well.
10:41 But I think we kind of got through that here these last couple days.
10:45 And even the few that we're still trying to solidify here in the next couple days
10:49 will be because of that.
10:50 But overall, yeah, the Big Ten opener, as I always have said,
10:54 is it creates an urgency in your preparation.
10:57 And the depth charge is no different there.
10:59 >> Yeah, seems like Jamari Sharp has worked his way into a bigger role
11:04 this season after not really playing much last year.
11:10 I guess, what have you liked from what you've seen from him in ball camp?
11:13 And where do you wanna see him keep drawing?
11:16 >> Yeah, he's been one of the guys that we had targeted,
11:20 that you'd say you'd like to see him step up and elevate.
11:25 From being a redshirt freshman,
11:27 I'm presuming being a true freshman now being a redshirt freshman.
11:30 He's got length, he's extremely fast, he's a 4'3" guy,
11:35 was an elite sprinter in high school.
11:38 And just felt like he had that potential.
11:41 And so really encouraged by his progress.
11:44 Obviously brought in some older guys at the position, and he's right there.
11:49 So I think he's one of our top two or three corners on the team right now.
11:53 And that's an awesome thing.
11:55 So really encouraged by his progress, excited for him.
11:59 He's gonna play a whole lot and maybe a starter.
12:02 So that's one of those spots where we're still going through that process.
12:06 But he's, like you said, he's got those traits you're looking for.
12:10 And he continues to develop as a young player.
12:14 And the technique and fundamentals that it takes to play a position.
12:17 It's a hard position to play.
12:19 And he's gonna have a chance to be tested at a high level week one.
12:23 So really excited for that for him, because that's an opportunity for
12:27 him to grow and develop and improve who he is.
12:29 >> Ethan, Mike Nesbitt.
12:33 >> Yeah, hey Tom, can you talk a little bit more about Aaron and Noah and
12:36 their making captains and the fact that they've battled so long.
12:40 It's so hard to get to this point.
12:42 >> Yeah, I tell you, I love talking about those two guys.
12:45 Matter of fact, even our players in our team meetings throughout fall camp.
12:49 I talked about Noah at length one night.
12:51 Just kind of gave his story cuz some of these guys may not know that it took four
12:56 years and he didn't start till in the Michigan State game of his fourth year
13:01 here, redshirted right out of high school and special teams the first two years.
13:06 And then that third year plan, which was his fourth year overall,
13:10 was the 21 season.
13:11 So just a testament to perseverance.
13:15 Obviously, we wanted to play sooner.
13:17 I'm sure he and I talked many times about that and was frustrated at times.
13:22 You can say the same thing about Aaron Casey.
13:25 Just that kind of the gradual progression and
13:28 didn't have a very good 2021 season and had a chance to come back.
13:33 And then really everything elevated in 22,
13:35 especially when Cam Jones went down and we lost him.
13:39 And he was really forced into a leadership role and
13:42 more pressure on him to make plays.
13:43 And just to see that growth and to see two young men that came here,
13:48 have been in this program for a long time, and
13:51 are now being rewarded with being captains.
13:54 And that's one of the greatest honors you can be given is be voted by your teammates,
13:58 by your peers to be in that role.
13:59 And so, just so excited for them.
14:02 They represent us in such a high level way on the field, off the field.
14:07 Both graduates already, just first class people, hard,
14:11 hard workers, tough, and they make plays.
14:15 And they've had to be patient, they've had to wait, they've had to have a lot of grit.
14:22 And perseverance and passion towards a long term goal is definition for
14:26 grit that we use.
14:27 And man, that's just two pictures of that to me.
14:31 And when you have your better players or guys like that,
14:35 that work really hard and set the tone and they're by their example every day.
14:40 And then now they learn to lead.
14:41 Noah's a very verbal leader, very emotional guy, passionate guy.
14:45 His energy, I remember I grabbed him yesterday in practice,
14:48 I said, man, this is who you are.
14:50 When you verbalize it this way and you play with this kind of passion,
14:55 which he usually does, and I say that's infectious for everybody else.
14:58 And so, just to be, that's the standard.
15:00 So, having guys like that, that they obviously went to Big Timmy D Days for
15:04 a reason, and now they're being voted in as captains.
15:06 So, pretty awesome, really excited for those guys.
15:09 And I think they'll do a great job being captains of this team.
15:12 >> Mike Knowles and then Mike Schuman.
15:14 >> Yeah, Tom, just real quick before I question.
15:18 Can you clarify, did Ryan get a medical waiver so he could stay on scholarship,
15:23 but retire, is that kind of how that process works?
15:25 >> That is how that process works, yes.
15:27 And so, he has a lot of documented situations for that.
15:31 So, yeah, he'll be able to stay in that role.
15:33 And then when a student athlete is in that role,
15:36 then they will do something within the university.
15:40 And he's gonna be one of our student assistants, which will be great.
15:43 And love to have him with us every day and being around the team.
15:47 And he's just a first class individual, excellent student.
15:50 And we allow him to be able to get his degree, finish that out, and
15:53 still be a part of the program.
15:56 >> Thanks, and then for the quarterbacks, when did you tell them and
15:59 how difficult were those conversations or different?
16:02 Since you've mentioned a lot that they're both the same age and younger.
16:06 So how did those kind of conversations unfold?
16:08 If you can kinda maybe not get too specific,
16:11 which is generally just a little different since they're at the same age.
16:14 >> Yeah, I won't get too specific.
16:16 So basically just open honest conversations with them.
16:20 And they know exactly where things are right now and where it stands.
16:23 And so you just bring them in, you shoot them straight.
16:27 And I really compliment them about how they've handled the situation as teammates.
16:34 And been a part of several of these over the years.
16:37 And so doesn't always have the same feel to it like it does with this group.
16:42 And they have such respect for each other.
16:44 And are really good, two great teammates for one another.
16:47 So obviously, I know they're trying to compete to play one spot.
16:50 So that's always a challenging thing.
16:53 But that to me is just the biggest key is to be open and honest with them.
16:56 And we'll just move forward from there.
16:58 >> Mike Schuman and then Jason Person.
17:02 >> Yeah, hey coach.
17:04 Ryan Day's been pretty public that they're still considering two quarterbacks
17:09 when they play you guys here in ten days or so.
17:11 I'm curious, what are the challenges for you guys in preparing for potentially two?
17:15 And I'm also curious if you guys also considered going with two in the first
17:19 game.
17:21 >> When I look at their situation, yeah, it creates challenges.
17:28 Cuz they're two different quarterbacks.
17:31 And so we have to go through and have a plan for both.
17:33 And be able to, when you expect both of them to play,
17:37 which it looks like that's gonna be the case.
17:39 Then you have to have plans for each individual.
17:42 Obviously, their core concepts are gonna be consistent.
17:44 But the skill set of each player is where the differences come.
17:48 So both very, very talented players.
17:51 Definitely do some different things in a different way from a skill set perspective,
17:56 which is usually the case with most individuals.
17:58 And so, yeah, definitely, if they're identical, it's a little maybe a little
18:03 easier schematically to have the plan that is really kind of transferable.
18:07 I mean, we've had it to where in the past where you've had calls for
18:10 a certain jersey number when he's in the game and
18:12 other calls when this quarterback's in the game.
18:14 And so, not saying it's gonna be that extreme with these two, but
18:19 definitely some situational things would be different without question.
18:21 So, and I think that's the bottom line for us is that,
18:25 we just going at this thing together and figuring it out.
18:30 So but the bottom line is that anytime you don't have a clear knowledge of who's
18:35 gonna be doing all the playing or the majority of it,
18:38 it definitely creates challenges for your staff.
18:42 >> All right, fish, and then we'll wrap up with Jim Corral.
18:44 >> I'm just asking a question about returns.
18:47 I know Jaylon Lucas is primary, but have you decided on it to go to someone else
18:53 in the punt return role or in the kick return role in any other standpoint as far
18:59 as a backup or whatever?
19:01 >> Yeah, so he's the primary guy in both roles.
19:05 So we've got several different guys as kick returners.
19:09 David Holland would be a top guy to be the next kick returner in the game,
19:14 big physical guy that can run.
19:16 And that's a position where you can sometimes get some big hits.
19:21 So, and now the punt return, that's a little bit different because that's such
19:25 a difficult task to be able to fulfill.
19:29 DQ is a guy that's done that in the past and is very comfortable back there.
19:34 And Dekeese Carter, and so feel like he has a chance to do that.
19:38 And then Cam Jordan's another one that's very smooth back there, very natural.
19:43 Noah Pierre's also taken a lot of punts, catches opportunities.
19:46 So those four guys total, including Jaylon,
19:48 have been the top four guys we've had back there.
19:50 So Jaylon will be the key guy for each and
19:53 then we'll have guys that'll be rotational behind if need be.
19:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]
20:00 >> Hi Jim.
20:02 >> Hey Tom, how are you?
20:03 >> Good, buddy, how are you?
20:05 >> Good, sir.
20:06 >> On the quarterback battle, I know it was very, very close and a hard decision.
20:11 But what was the difference that led to the decision?
20:15 What did you see that you thought that we're gonna go this direction?
20:19 Not that the other one is down,
20:21 it's just that somebody obviously had to separate themselves.
20:24 And what was that difference maker?
20:27 >> I think as you go through, when you make these difficult decisions,
20:31 I think you just go through and you basically just say, okay,
20:36 when you go live or you move the football, I say live,
20:40 I'm talking about game-like situations.
20:44 And we have move the ball periods in practice where we just put the ball down and
20:48 we play football on both sides.
20:50 We don't script them and the calls come in based on the situation.
20:53 And those are scrimmages are obviously set up that way.
20:56 But even in practice, we do that quite a bit in two minute situations.
20:59 And so you go through and look at those, those really where you kinda probably
21:03 separate yourself and try to make decisions based off of that.
21:06 But the bottom line is that, like I keep saying,
21:09 we got two talented quarterbacks that are just both young,
21:12 haven't played a lot collegiately.
21:14 And so excited about that opportunity to be able to have guys that
21:19 they're more than just one guy that you feel really good about.
21:21 So and then you got the third part of the equation is Dexter and
21:26 the potential for the future.
21:27 So just when you go through, you just gotta say, okay,
21:29 who gives the best chance to win?
21:31 And that's what you gotta do.
21:32 You go through that and you approach it accordingly and
21:36 you communicate with those guys.
21:37 And we've all been through this enough to know that there's a lot of unknowns for
21:41 the future.
21:42 And so you just, you better have more than one, that's for sure.
21:44 So I'm glad we do.
21:45 >> Have a great day, Elio.