Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The perception of Indiana football has changed dramatically over recent years, but that will only remain if Indiana is able to consistently match up with its Big Ten East foes in the trenches.

“Anytime you can get production out of your defensive line, you can get more pass rush and you don't have to blitz to get the pass rush, it's a huge benefit,” said Indiana defensive line coach Kevin Peoples. “Those are things we're trying to work on. We're trying to make sure we're doing our job within the scheme and making the plays that come to us.”

A huge part of what made Indiana’s defense so lethal last season was its ability to force turnovers. Former defensive coordinator Kane Wommack loved to dial up creative blitzes and create havoc – this ultimately led the Indiana defense to lead the Big Ten in sacks (25) and interceptions (17). New defensive coordinator Charlton Warren expects more of the same, and it will be the defensive line’s job to create these opportunities.

Today, we will highlight the players you should expect to see along the Indiana defensive line in 2021.

James Head Jr, Senior, 6’5” 262 Pounds

James Head Jr. is entering his fourth season with the Hoosiers as one of the most experienced players along the defensive line, having played in 32 games and making 20 starts. Over that time frame, Head has amassed 54 tackles (37 solo), nine tackles for loss, four passes defended, and a fumble forced and recovered. Head has been a steady contributor at defensive end for the last three years, but both Peoples and Coach Allen are hoping for more of a dominant year in 2021 – Head totaled just two tackles for loss last season, just fifth best on the team and behind three defensive backs.

Ryder Anderson, Graduate+, 6’6” 266 Pounds

The defensive line generating consistent pressure was a concern over the offseason, and Tom Allen hit the transfer portal to address this. One of his finds was Ryder Anderson, a transfer from Ole Miss that actually played in the Outback Bowl against Indiana, totaling two tackles for loss, one sack, and three stops in the game. He played in 37 total games over his four years in Oxford, and collected 99 tackles (38 solo), 6.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble. Anderson is a name that we continued to hear good things about during spring practice; he should be an immediate upgrade at defensive end, though his versatility will allow us to see him line up all over the line.

“I'm a guy who can play all three downs, can stop the run or rush the passer. I am just trying to do my part in the defense,” said Anderson. “I don't really have a problem, necessarily, moving across the defensive line. It's just being in the scheme that fits me, uses me, and gives me a little bit more freedom to be a ballplayer. That's what I have here in this defense.”

Jaren Handy, Junior, 6’6” 255 Pounds

Allen also dipped into the transfer portal to find Jaren Handy, a defensive end from Auburn. As a recruiting prospect, Handy was ranked as a 4-star and the 100th best recruit in the nation by 247Sports. He is the cousin of wide receiver Ty Fryfogle. He brings 14 games of experience to the Hoosiers, where he tallied ten tackles, 2 quarterback hurries, and a sack on the road at Alabama. Handy is entering his third season and projects to play the bull position, so he will be lined up along the line and dropping back in coverage.

Jonathan King, Redshirt Junior, 6’3” 252 Pounds

Jonathan King hails from Tampa Bay Tech High School, just like quarterback Michael Penix, and enters his fourth season with Indiana having played in 15 games and earning one start in the win last season at Wisconsin. King posted six tackles, one sack, and one interception last year. He is another example of a player that has been good, but Indiana hopes to squeeze a bit more out of this season.

Beau Robbins, Redshirt Sophomore, 6’5” 260 Pounds

Beau Robbins was a highly touted recruit – a consensus four-star by 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals – but has not seen much actual game action early in his career. After redshirting his first season, Robbins again spent the season crafting his game and adding strength in year two. He was named defensive scout team player of the year at the conclusion of the 2020 season. His hard work may soon translate into playing time – Coach Peoples called out Robbins as a player that has been “stepping up” in fall practices.

Sio Nofoagatoto’a, Junior, 6’3” 315 Pounds

As much as one can with a name like his, Sio has made a name for himself the past two seasons with the Hoosiers. Entering his third season, Nofoagatoto’a has appeared in all but 3 games in his career, making 2 starts and tallying 21 tackles over the two seasons. His large frame makes him a solid run stopper at the line of scrimmage, but Allen and staff hope to see him bust behind the line of scrimmage more this season. He has tallied just one tackle for loss on his career and has yet to record a sack. He is focused on being a difference maker in 2021.

“The emphasis on havoc has really helped us as a D-line because we feel like if we can create havoc, we can give confidence to our secondary and our linebackers,” said Nofoagatoto’a.

Shamar Jones, Redshirt Junior, 6’1” 264 Pounds

Shamar Jones will be looked at to add depth along the defensive line in what will be his fourth season with the Hoosiers. After redshirting his first season, Jones saw 12 games of action at defensive tackle in 2019. He made eight tackles with a half-sack and one quarterback hurry, but took a bit of a step back last season and only saw game action in the season-opener against Penn State.

CJ Person, Redshirt Sophomore, 6’3” 292 Pounds

C.J. Person continues to rise up the ranks of the IU defensive line as he progresses. He saw the maximum four games of action in his first season on campus before redshirting. Last year, Person played in eight games and made his first career start. He has continued to impress the coaching staff throughout spring and fall camps. The 2020 IU Defensive Newcomer of the Year will look for a big leap in production at the defensive tackle spot in 2021.

Gavin McCabe, Redshirt Junior, 6’4” 291 Pounds

Entering his fourth season with the Hoosiers, Gavin McCabe continues to search out his fit on this team. After being recruited as and beginning his career along the defensive line, McCabe spent last season as an offensive lineman. This proved to be a difficult fit for him – especially learning a new position over an offseason that was primarily virtual in nature. He ultimately saw no game action last year and will move back to the defensive side of the ball this year.

“Moved him back to defensive line as well, where he started off,” said Allen this spring. “We feel good about the depth he can give us there and compete and play.”

Dalton Davis, Redshirt Sophomore, 6’1” 262 Pounds

Dalton Davis joined the program as a walk-on during the 2020 season. He transferred in from the University of Findlay, where he played one season and appeared in eight games as a true freshman. He tallied 11 tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss, but has yet to see action with the Hoosiers. He’ll serve as additional depth this season.

Christian Love, Redshirt Junior, 6’0” 288 Pounds

Another walk-on, Love joined the team during the 2018 season. He has yet to see game action but has earned three scout team player of the week honors. Love was an Academic All-Big Ten selection last season.

Demarcus Elliot, Senior, 6’3” 307 Pounds

Demarcus Elliot projects to once again be a key member of the defensive line this season. Elliot spent his first season at Garden City Community College before transferring and spending the last two seasons with Indiana. He is an extremely important piece in the middle of the line; he brings 20 games (18 starts) of experience, 49 total tackles, three sacks, and five tackles for loss on his resume. He is another name that we continue to hear good things from the coaching staff. His steady presence is great at the line of scrimmage, but is another guy the staff is hoping can cause behind-the-line havoc in 2021.

Antoine Whitner Jr, Redshirt Sophomore, 6’5” 305 Pounds

Antoine Whitner played for now-Indiana tight ends coach Kevin Wright at IMG Academy in Florida in high school before committing to Indiana as a part of the 2019 class. He redshirted his first season and did not see any game action last year. He was ranked the 41st defensive tackle nationally by Rivals when recruited.

Caleb Murphy, Redshirt Freshman, 6’4” 270 Pounds

Similar to Gavin McCabe, Caleb Murphy has bounced around position wise in his time with Indiana. After spending the second half of last season at tight end, Murphy returns to the defensive line where he will look to provide additional depth in 2021. He redshirted his first year on campus last year, but did earn special teams scout team player of the week against Wisconsin.

Cooper Jones, Freshman, 6’6” 270 Pounds

Cooper Jones has potential written all over him, but he’ll likely serve his first season improving with the scout team. The 3-star prospect was a top-500 recruit in the most recent recruiting class from Valparaiso High School in Indiana. He was ranked the 7th best player in the state of Indiana by 247Sports. He tallied 80 tackles, 12.5 for loss, in a COVID-shortened senior season in high school. He chose Indiana over offers from Purdue, Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio State, among others.

Weston Kramer, Graduate+, 6’2” 290 Pounds

The final transfer portal piece that Tom Allen found this offseason was Weston Kramer, a graduate transfer from Northern Illinois. Kramer played in 45 games at defensive tackle for the Huskies, tallying 97 tackles (38 solo), 3.5 sacks, 12.5 for loss, and two pass breakups. Kramer fills an immediate need at tackle and his talent should easily translate to causing chaos in the backfields of the Big Ten rather than the MAC.

“Weston Kramer, which is a new player for us who wasn't with us in the spring, he's been a very pleasant surprise,” said Kevin Peoples. “He's a very tough, hard-nosed, physical kid and I love what he brings.”

The Huddle

2021 IU Defensive Line Preview: More Production is Key to Creating Havoc

Hoosier Huddle