Defensive Lineman Demarcus Elliott is Seeing the Effects of a Normal Spring

Written by Evan Orris

This time last year everyone was trapped at home. Spring practice was canceled, and the 2020 college football season was up in the air thanks to COVID-19. The spring reprieve made it harder for players to stay in shape and improve on their game.

Hoosiers’ defensive lineman Demarcus Elliott took it upon himself to find ways to train. In his hometown of Garden City, Kan., Elliott would go behind the local Walmart and run up the gigantic hill. However, he could only do so much with limited resources and his body fell victim.

“That kind of hurt me, because being home-cooked food all the sugar all the carbs I was eating. So, I think being able to be here with the meal plan I got,” said Elliott, “Last year I did play around, I think, 308, according to the year before I was at 305.”

Even while playing at a less than ideal weight, Elliott started six games, making 14 tackles. Elliott, however, did not record a sack or a tackle for a loss like he did in 2019. That might have been because he was a tad out of shape. Now, with a full spring slate, Elliott is starting to see the benefits of being in Bloomington.

“I would say it's been a lot different from going from COVID not be able to be here with the team, to being here full time with no break. Like we didn't get our spring practice here so just having to go the full 15 practices back to back to back, but I feel like the team were getting so much better,” said Elliot.

Elliott, along with the rest of the team, has benefitted from working hands-on with coach Aaron Wellman. Wellman is the man in charge of strength and conditioning for the team. Elliott set goals for himself this offseason, and with the help of coach Wellman was able to achieve them.

“I think being able to have a full time it's just been so beneficial to me, just with my body to be able to drop body fat percentage put on straight muscle mass, so having him coming from that next level with NFL just he brings so much to the table, and being able to have him with us it's just beneficial.” Said Elliott

Wellman is a highly regarded strength and conditioning coach. Wellman was originally part of the Hoosiers staff as a graduate assistant from 1996-98. Since then, he has spent time in the NFL and in college. Most recently as the New York Giants strength and conditioning coach. He returned to IU just before last season.

Meanwhile, Elliott should be in line for an extended role on the interior of the defensive line. With the loss of Jerome Johnson, the Hoosiers will look for a rotation of players to fill the void. The new and improved Elliott could solidify himself as a starter with a strong finish to the spring.