Countdown to Kickoff: 2 Days (T.J. Simmons and Devonte Williams)
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Written By Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)
#2
There are now TWO DAYS! remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers, just a baker’s dozen! Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Two players wear the number, Devonte Williams on offenses and senior T.J. Simmons on defense.
T.J. Simmons (Senior)
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 235 lbs.
- Position: Linebacker
- Hometown: Lakeland, Florida
If you are anything like me, you are probably asking yourself, “where did the summer go?” Which you then quickly retort, “Who cares, football season is nearly here!” Only a couple of days separate us from the official start of college football and the Hoosiers first game of 2016. Continuing our countdown, we take a look at a pair of Hoosiers who will be sporting the number two this season.
Taking a look first at the defensive side of the ball, the Hoosier wearing number two should need no introduction, however if you are new to Indiana Football, its senior inside linebacker T.J. Simmons. Entering his fourth and likely final season in Bloomington, this native of the Sunshine State has been one of Indiana’s few consistent contributors on defense over the last few seasons. However, consistent might be selling Simmons short at this point.
With the Hoosiers almost completely overhauling their defensive line, and a secondary that is still trying to find its footing, Indiana’s veteran group of linebackers will be heavily relied upon to provide “leadership and production,” a sentiment made by Coach Tom Allen during the team’s press conference last week.
And among the group, no one has more experience than Simmons, who has played in all 37 games during his career, starting in 35 of those. As a freshman he recorded 68 tackles, as a sophomore he made 72, and last fall he picked up 73 and collected a career high three sacks.
Like his fellow linebacker Marcus Oliver, Simmons will never be confused as an overly flashy or athletic player. However, he is incredibly reliable and willing to get his nose dirty to make a play or stuff the run.
Due to the Hoosiers shift from the 3-4 defense to Coach Allen’s 4-2-5, Indiana will start out most games with five defensive backs and four defensive linemen, leaving room for just two linebackers. And according to Coach Wilson’s depth chart for this week’s game against FIU, juniors Oliver and Tegray Scales appear to be the starters for now.
However, make no mistake, Simmons will be afforded every opportunity to make an impact on both defense and special teams, as the Hoosiers attempt to bring along those units as well.
He along with Oliver, Scales, Dawson Fletcher, Dameon Willis, Chris Covington and Reakwon Jones will all be in the mix for playing time. Also, senior Clyde Newton, who has spent a large part of fall camp getting reps at running back, could also shift back to linebacker if needed.
The Hoosiers season opener in Miami will be the closest thing Simmons will get to a homecoming, and I’m sure he is looking forward to putting on a show in front of family and old friends.
“Linebackers have got to be great leaders and great young men who can get to the football and get that guy on the ground. We have to be great, great tacklers. To me, those are the two key things.”
From the outside looking in, it appears that Simmons along with Oliver can certainly provide both of these things.
Devonte Williams (Redshirt Freshman)
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 184 lbs.
- Position: Running Back
- Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
As Simmons is entering his final season in the Cream and Crimson, the player on offense wearing number two is really only beginning his career. Devonte “The Matrix” Williams is back for his second season, and back at home in the offensive backfield.
Williams made his way onto campus last fall, and was quickly shifted from offense to defense, getting snaps at cornerback. The native of Maryland impressed the coaching staff enough to make the move permanent, or at least we thought, and was named the team’s starting during their second game of the season.
However, an injury ended his season early, and he was forced to sit out the rest of the 2015 season. Luckily though, because of the timing of his injury, he was able to apply for a medical redshirt, which he was granted, saving him an entire season of eligibility.
With the development of the team’s secondary, along with the addition of a couple of recruits, a transfer, and another position change, the need for Williams at cornerback was not as critical, and as such was shifted back to the offensive side of the ball, a move that was well received by both Williams and Coach McCullough.
Indiana’s backfield is absolutely loaded this fall, deeper from top to bottom than it has ever been, and it appears that Williams will have a large role in the running back rotation.
During his prep career at Maryland’s Bullis School, Williams made life miserable for opposing defenses all around the Metro area. As a senior he developed as both a runner and receiver, carrying the rock 232 times for 1,899 yards and 18 touchdowns and making 22 grabs for 354 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Combine his versatility with an already potent Indiana offense, let the headaches and nightmares commence around the rest of the Big Ten.
Share any memories or recollections you have of Devonte and T.J. as players in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!