James Head Ready to Attack Everything in Final Season with Hoosiers

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

James Head Jr. did not want his time at IU to end on a season in which he missed five games due to injury and the team went 2-10. The fifth year senior, with 39 games and 10 tackles for loss to his name, is back.

“My mindset is different. I am trying to attack everything with all I've got knowing this is my last year. The urgency is a little more amped up. I'm attacking everything like it could be my last play.” Head told reporters on Thursday.

Head is coming off a Lisfranc injury to his foot. An injury that is extremely tough to come back from as it involves bones and ligaments in one’s foot. While his injury healed, Head started doubting himself.

“Coming off that injury, I was doubting myself.” Head explained. “I was sad but the coaching staff and the players all backed me up on everything. They were all on my side. I'm more motivated than ever. Trying to get back out there and prove myself again. That's what I'm battling with myself right now. Trying to prove I can do it at a high level still.”

Head has been a solid contributor for the Hoosiers, but is still needed to take his game to the next level.

One area where Head, along with IU’s defense in general, need to improve is in the pass rush. They had trouble doing that in 2021 after leading the Big Ten in sacks in 2020.

Indiana defensive line coach Paul Randolph has noticed Head’s mentality as well since joining the program prior to spring practice.

“He approached spring as a guy that [thought] "I've got to get better; I've got to improve in different fundamental techniques" and he's worked hard to do it.” Randolph said of Head. “He hasn't missed a single practice, he's worked his tail off, and he's gotten better every single day at working and focusing on getting better at one specific thing a day. So, just pad level, aggressiveness, playing the run, different things like that. He's really improved and excited about his mindset.”

Head has called Randolph a pass rush master and said that IU’s defensive line is working on “pass rushing everyday focusing on little things, little moves that I've been missing. Making sure all our technique is where it needs to be at.”

If Head can attack each play like it’s his last in a Hoosier uniform, the IU defense could find their way into the backfield more.