New Defensive Line Coach Kevin Peoples Excited by the Position's Depth
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Image: Ken Bikoff, Peegs.com
Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)
The hiring of defensive line coach Kevin Peoples was announced on March 2nd. Just days later, the world was completely shut down to the coronavirus, including the cancellation of all spring football practices until further notice.
Despite having just four practices with his new players, People’s knows one thing for sure: he’s inheriting a talented room of playmakers.
“Very excited about a lot of the guys we have coming back. We've got good depth at all of the positions,” said Peoples via teleconference Wednesday. “We're pleased where we're at, and really looking forward to getting back to it.”
And when you think of the returning guys along the line, there’s really no reason he shouldn’t be feeling lucky to take charge of the defensive big men.
“I think Jerome Johnson is a talented player that can stop the run and provide pass rush for you. Demarcus Elliot, Sio Nofoagatoto'a both at the nose position. They both have meaningful snaps. C.J. Person is a guy that we're excited about that played a few games last season and should be back healthy. And then at the ends position, James Head Jr., Michael Ziemba, both guys that have had good success in this conference. Then Alfred Bryant, we're looking for him to be able to set up and provide some pass rush and do some things that show case his ability.”
For a team that has lacked the depth to compete in the trenches with the best in the conference for so many years, the tides seem to be turning in the right direction. The list doesn’t even include the newcomers, guys like Stanford graduate transfer Jovan Swann and incoming true freshman Damarjhe Lewis.
“[With Swann], You're talking about somebody that has almost a dozen sacks in his career in a different scheme that might be a bit harder to get sacks out of. He's going to provide a lot of playmaking ability.”
“If you just meet and talk with Jovan, he is professional the way he handles himself. We've had meetings and he's taken notes.”
In terms of younger newbies, Lewis turned down multiple SEC offers to sign with the Hoosiers and looks to be an early enrollee that can make an immediate impact.
“First of all, and outstanding person, outstanding character, and he is a dynamic player. He's got some explosivity, he's got some twitch. Those four practices were huge for him. We wish we would have had 15 but who doesn't? We think he has the ability to really be a dynamic football player.”
The times have certainly not been easy on a new coach, but Kevin Peoples is a 27-year veteran of coaching and knows what he’s doing.
“I think we've done a good job of adapting to the circumstances at hand. So just getting them back in the ordinary grind of where you'd be in a normal college football season.”
Indiana looks to kick off the 2020 season on Friday, September 4th in Madison, Wisconsin against the Big Ten West foe Wisconsin Badgers.