Hoosiers head coach Kevin Wilson said things have generally been good for Indiana this spring.
He cited the biggest development as the chemistry he is seeing from a group that includes a high number of veterans, including offensive lineman Jason Spriggs and defensive lineman Nick Mangieri as well as quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who is returning from a shoulder injury that ended his 2014 season prematurely.
"It's a work environment, but it's been a fun environment and we're making to me the best progress we've made to date," Wilson said on the Big Ten spring footbal coaches teleconference Thursday.
Other highlights:
-- Indiana returns four starters on the offensive line, and redshirt freshman Tim Gardner has been working at right tackle with the No. 1 group. Gardner is an Indianapolis native who originally signed with Ohio State but ran into legal trouble. Wilson also praised the development of redshirt freshmen Wes Martin and Delroy Baker and junior DeAndre Herron.
-- Although the Hoosiers endured a six-game losing streak that coincided with the game in which Sudfeld was hurt, Wilson said he was upbeat about the fight his team showed in November losses to Penn State, Rutgers and Ohio State before a season-ending win against Purdue. "The way we battled the last four just showed me the players were buying in."
-- Noted for developing high-powered, quarterback-friendly offenses as an assistant coach before taking the helm in Bloomington, Wilson said there is no doubt quarterback play is on the upswing in the Big Ten. "The Big Ten still a physical league and line-of-scrimmage league, but the skill of quarterback has picked up, and that's why the league is more competitive.... It's tough to be a defensive coordinator in the Big Ten right now."
-- Spriggs followed Wilson on the teleconference and praised Sudfeld for his ability to manage the offense in practice.
-- Spriggs has seen a lot of growth from quarterback Zander Diamont, who was thrust into the starting role in the second half of last season and ended up being the hero of the Old Oaken Bucket victory over Purdue. "I've really seen a competitive drive out of him this offseason and this spring. He made a lot of progress last season toward the end of the season and continued to make that progress toward the end of lifting and into spring. You're really starting to see a competitive edge out of Zander."
-- He confirmed physicality has been an emphasis for the offensive and defensive lines this spring. "We're making some strides, but we still have to continue being more physical. It's a mindset you come to practice with."
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