Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

There are several clichés in sports that don’t really ring true when you stop and examine them. However, one thing that is often heard and is still very true: speed kills. That is a philosophy the Indiana University football program has embraced and emphasized since Tom Allen took the reins and they are focused on making speed a difference-making strength on the field in Bloomington.

Improved team speed can come about a couple of different ways. The first is by recruiting players that come in with quickness. Players like Cam Jones, Jamar Johnson, James Head, Madison Norris and more have been brought in and arrived on campus with a different level of speed on the defensive side of the ball than what we are used to seeing in Indiana football players. The second way you get the team speed you want is by coaching and maximizing the speed for each individual. Dave Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea have worked diligently on that and there is a feeling around the program that this offseason, their second with the program, has brought noticeable changes to the field.

“It’s (the speed) noticeable and moving in the right direction. When you watch the film, because you don’t always see it but I see it every day, but especially when people come here that haven’t watched us or haven’t been here for spring, it’s probably the first thing they comment on, is the speed of the defense,” Indiana head coach Tom Allen told the media after Tuesday’s spring practice. “It’s a combination of guys just being a year older and more mature and understanding what they’re doing better, and just recruiting speed. I think if you want them fast, recruit them fast. Obviously, Coach Ballou and Dr. Rhea are doing a great job developing that, and enhancing that once we get them here, and our entire strength staff.”

The Hoosiers were forced to go through a rebuild on defense last season after graduating several experienced seniors. That being said, the growing pains of 2018 should pay dividends in 2019 as those freshman and sophomores are now more confident and ready to contribute this coming season. Tom Allen believes increased comfortability allows for increased speed on the field and that will be a major positive.

“I just think that in order to create takeaways, speed is a big part of that. It gets you to the ball quicker, and you’re more violent when you get there and disrupts better. You get those tipped balls that end up being picked balls. The windows get closed down better in the secondary,” Allen said.

First year defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has noticed the speed as well, “we don’t want to get over-excited about team speed but you know, it’s the fruit of our labor. What Dave Ballou and Matt Rhea have been doing in the weight room, the way we’ve been recruiting and what we’re doing defensively, it’s all starting to come together. We are playing at a really fast tempo right now and when that tempo comes, they are starting to feel more confident and they’ve got that swagger about them and that’s really exciting.”

Indiana continuing to improve to build and hone their speed over the remainder of the spring and into fall camp will be an ongoing emphasis and there is no doubt they are hoping it will translate to on-field results in the 2019 season.

The Huddle

Two Factors are Responsible for Indiana's Increased Team Speed This Spring

Hoosier Huddle