The Bull Position Transitioning into its Own Type of Player

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

When Tom Allen took over the defense in 2016, he brought with him his 4-2-5 defense that featured a hybrid linebacker-defensive end called the ‘Bull’. It went under the radar early on in his tenure as he usually placed a fourth defensive lineman at the position. Recently, it’s a position that has expanded into a more unique position.

“When I first got here, we called it by that same name but really recruited more of a defensive end guy in high school to play that position. Now, we’ve really transitioned into recruiting more of a linebacker guy to play that position, a longer, taller linebacker from high school.” Allen explained.

The Hoosier staff has started recruiting specifically for that position. The Hoosiers have a few players who have developed into the role well and could be a force in 2022.

“Some guys will play with their hand down in high school and some of them will be different but what I think we’ve found even with a guy like Alfred Bryant, as he’s been here, he’s playing his best, I believe, since he’s been here, and it needs to continue.” Allen said. “You add Miles Jackson to that spot which is really more of an outside linebacker body type, 250-pound guy that’s strong and athletic and really can give us a real presence in the run game and also the pass rush ability.”

The ultimate goal of the position is to generate more of a pass rush, something that IU struggled with last season.

“That’s the thing we’re trying to get more out of it is the pass rush and the guy who has the flexibility to do multiple things. He’s really a hybrid for us when you think about a hybrid in the secondary. Well, the bull is our hybrid position on the defensive line/outside linebacker. Really, it’s the edge guy as they would kind of call it in today’s defense and he could be a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 rush-end, that kind of guy. It’s a unique skill set to find.” Allen said of the position.

Alfred Bryant, who came to IU as a defensive lineman, and Myles Jackson, a linebacker, will have their chance to make an impact. Highly-touted freshman Dasan McCullough joins that room as well as the staff tries to get him on the field as early as possible.

The staff has high hopes for McCullough as well. While he may not play the Bull for his whole career, it’s a position he can succeed at this season.

“Dasan McCullough is also playing there in situational things, and I think that’s a real strength of his without question, what he really played in high school. To the field now, he’s more of a boundary for us but to that kind of person to rush the passer, drop in coverage, play some man, do some different things with that and per the call is where we’re looking for it.” Allen said.

The Hoosiers will continue to recruit the Bull position as a unique position.

“It’s definitely not an easy position to recruit to but it’s one that we’re excited about, and I think as that role grows and guys get to see what this guy does and what he can do for his future and his development for the next level, I think is really key for us to find those elite guys for us to be game changers for us on our defense.” Allen explained.