After an Off-Season of Hard Work Austin Dorris is Running Better and Ready to Roll in 2018
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Austin Dorris looks to have an expanded role in 2018 Image: Bob Dorris DorrisPhoto
Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
Austin Dorris, a three-star tight end, joined the Hoosiers as part of the 2015 recruiting class. Dorris played both quarterback and tight end at Shadyside High School in Ohio. Earning a first team all-state selection and Ohio Valley Player of the Year honors, Dorris racked up 1,100 yards passing and 1,250 yards rushing as a senior. The versatile, 6-foot-5 athlete was also a three-year letter winner in basketball and baseball. Dorris redshirted his first year in Bloomington. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Dorris appeared in seven games while earning an Academic All-Big Ten selection.
Last year, Dorris played in all 12 games as a redshirt sophomore. He contributed primarily on special teams, as Ian Thomas and Ryan Watercutter emerged as threats in the passing game. The tight end has been taking advantage of Indiana’s new strength and conditioning team comprised of David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord praised Dorris for his work ethic and progress. DeBord said, “He really worked hard this summer and really improved his speed. He’s playing a lot better that way and he’ll be a guy that plays for us.”
“When I first got here I didn't weigh enough so I had to put all the weight on and then I didn't run well with the weight, and I wasn't in a good spot,” Dorris explained his body transformation. “What coach Ballou did was he took how big I was and kind of transformed where some places were probably fat and turned it to muscle, so my body fat percentage went way down” he said.
With Ian Thomas off to the NFL, IU has a serious void at the tight end position. Dorris will be relied upon on offense as a redshirt junior in 2018, and it seems as if he’s up to the challenge. Dorris feels like he’s in the best shape of his life: “I'm running way better than I was And I am just way stronger.” Now equipped with the size and speed, Dorris feels ready to play tight end at a Big Ten level.
Throughout spring and summer camp, Dorris had a chance to work with the offense running routes and becoming more comfortable within the system. “I'd say I definitely have been improved as far as the tight end position; just learning what to do and focusing on what to do,” Dorris says. Up and down the roster, each Hoosier has had a glowing testimony of Ballou’s impact on the team and individual improvement. Dorris is no different as he attests, “Everyone has improved it's not just me. The entire team has gotten much better and a lot of that is due to coach Ballou and the work that we put in.”
The tight end position battle will be an interesting one to watch. As Hoosier football fans know, DeBord likes to integrate his tight ends into the offense on multiple levels. Dorris will have ample opportunity to fight for and earn playing time. Keep an eye out for Austin Dorris to produce a breakout season.