Ex-Hoosiers: Wilson will boost OSU
INDIANAPOLIS — Running back Devine Redding and offensive lineman Dan Feeney played at Indiana, so they probably hate to predict even more success for Ohio State.
But with former Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson now the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, they believe that will happen.
“I thought it was a great honor to play under coach Wilson,” Redding said at the NFL combine Thursday. “He’s a tempo guy. Everything we did was fast. His whole mindset was fast. He talked fast. He thought fast. Everything he did was fast, and we translated that over to the field.”
Feeney said that Wilson was never afraid to experiment.
“He’s just an offensive mastermind,” he said. “He just thinks of some crazy stuff and will try it out in practice. ‘Hey, man, I like it. Let’s do it on Saturday!’
“Coach Wilson, I love him. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve been around. He’s a tough-love guy, just like (Indiana offensive line coach) Greg Frey. He expects the world from you and holds you to a standard. Unfortunately, he left Indiana, but I think he got a great job at Ohio State and I think he’s going to do a great job for them.”
Neither Feeney nor Redding offered much insight about Wilson’s surprising departure from Indiana. Allegations of insensitivity toward injured players later surfaced.
“Sometimes, things happen for a reason, but I don’t have an opinion on it,” Redding said.
Wilson’s offenses have flourished throughout his coaching career. Now he will be working with Ohio State players, who typically arrive as four- and five-star prospects.
“That’s one thing I want to see,” Redding said. “I actually can’t wait to see what coach Wilson brings to O-State.”
Elliott effect
When the Dallas Cowboys took running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth pick of the 2016 draft, some considered that a bit early for that position in today’s pro football.
But Elliott’s success last year may have changed minds. LSU running back Leonard Fournette is now projected as perhaps an early first-round pick.
“It helped us completely,” Fournette said of reevaluation of the position because of Elliott. “It showed he’s not just a running back. He can help us in the passing game. He can run and block. He led a great way for these running backs coming out right now.”