Indiana’s defense is expected to be one of the top units in the country, and it all starts with the defensive line. While the Hoosiers’ D-line is fast, physical and relentless, its strongest attribute might be its ability to play as a cohesive unit, one that allows IU’s pass rushers to make each other better […]
Indiana’s defense is expected to be one of the top units in the country, and it all starts with the defensive line.
While the Hoosiers’ D-line is fast, physical and relentless, its strongest attribute might be its ability to play as a cohesive unit, one that allows IU’s pass rushers to make each other better on and off the field.
“We’re more of a heartbeat, like one heartbeat. I think the D-line is all one together,” Mikail Kamara said at Big Ten Media Days back in July, but transfer defensive tackle Hosea Wheeler reiterated similar words after Indiana’s practice on Thursday.
The former Western Kentucky Hilltopper described his transition coming to Indiana, and he made sure to explain just how close the defensive line room is. He mentioned that it’s helped him improve throughout fall camp, and that he expects it to translate into results on the field.
“This is the closest I’ve been with my D-line ever. So, we’re like brothers, all of us,” Wheeler said, mentioning that he’s been close with his teammates at both WKU and Sacramento City College, but his experience at Indiana has simply been different.
Building a community between the players has been a pillar of the culture Curt Cignetti has built at Indiana, and you can feel the difference it’s made. Transfers can feel it extremely early on, with Wheeler being a prime example of how relationships with teammates can make the collective unit the best it can be.
WATCH: Fall Camp Q&A: Zen Michalski, Hosea Wheeler talk final week of fall camp
Wheeler made it clear that during practices, every member of the defensive line unit puts in extra reps, encourages their teammates and participates in building the culture that made Indiana so effective a year ago. Even with newcomers such as Wheeler, along with Stephen Daley, Dominique Ratcliff and Kellan Wyatt, the D-line was able to gel almost instantly, with leaders like Kamara being the glue that brought everyone together.
“[Mikail] is a great person. We always get extra work, we always hang out, we always get closer, and that was one of the biggest things for me,” Wheeler explained.
Kamara has held a mentality of having a chip on his shoulder since his James Madison days, as he’s been continually undervalued at every turn. He’s relayed that message to the rest of the defensive line. This has fueled everyone on the D-line to work as hard as they can on the field, but like Wheeler mentioned, it also involves hanging out off the field.
While playing video games and getting meals together won’t directly lead to more sacks and tackles for loss, building camaraderie among teammates is incredibly important. Doing so allows for a more connected team, and a connected team is exactly what Cignetti and his staff want to have.
“This fall I just felt like I was playing with my family out there. Like everybody was clicking, and we were celebrating with each other and it was just amazing to be out there with everybody like that,” Wheeler told reporters on Thursday. “Just us hanging out every day and just us like connecting doing drills off the field, it was amazing. And now like on the field now I feel like we’re going to be really good this year.”
Indiana’s defensive line was spectacular a year ago, but after departures from James Carpenter and C.J. West, some questions arose regarding if the D-line would be as good in year two of the Cignetti era. While the Hoosiers haven’t taken the field just yet, early indications suggest that with additions like Wheeler, the defensive line will be just as productive this time around.
And it all comes back to how Wheeler and other transfers fit right in with the rest of the linemen. The foundation that guys like Kamara have set has allowed for a connected culture throughout fall camp, and it’s made the collective unit better, but Wheeler says he’s seen personal growth as a result of his teammates pushing him to be his best.
“They’re great. Like they push me to be my best. It’s like I haven’t seen my true potential without them. They give me the confidence I need. I need guys on the field like you can trust and you can rely on and I don’t need to think twice about who I got on the field with me,” Wheeler said, explaining how his new Indiana teammates have made an impact on his game.
Looking to not only repeat but improve upon the success of last season, Indiana’s defensive line is about as connected a bunch as you can possibly have. Hosea Wheeler’s words cement the fact that with a foundation set by Kamara and others, the Hoosiers’ D-line is a position group to watch out for in 2025.
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Category: General Sports
