The Daily Hoosier is profiling some new players on the 2022 football roster who should see substantial roles, along with returning players who are expected to play or produce at a much higher rate.
The competition for playing time along the defensive line is intense, with just three spots available and three players (James Head, Jr., Demarcus Elliott and Sio Nofoagatoto’a) all having been regulars on the field since 2019, and two SEC transfers (Patrick Lucas, LeDarrius Cox) in from Ole Miss.
Cal transfer JH Tevis came to IU confident he could break into the veteran group and at a minimum be part of the rotation in 2022.
The 6-foot-4, 283 pounder Piedmont, Calif. product appears to be on track for significant snaps in 2022.
BACKGROUND
In four years in Berkley, Tevis totaled 60 tackles, 29 solo, three sacks, 8.5 stops for loss, and three pass breakups in 20 games (15 starts). He enrolled in spring classes at IU and participated in practice.
Tevis started all 12 games for Cal in 2021, one of six Bears to start 12 times. He logged 37 tackles, one sack, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups.
Now 23 years old, Tevis came to IU as much for the Kelley School of Business as he did for the football program. He received academic honors each of his seasons at Cal and he is now working towards an MBA at IU.
In high school Tevis played defensive end at the Menlo School. His 22.5 sacks as a junior were the most in California and the fifth most in the country. He was a 3-star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, ranked No. 1,377 overall in the class of 2018 and the No. 77 weak-side defensive end.
Because he redshirted in 2018 and the 2020 season didn’t count against eligibility, Tevis has two years remaining at Indiana.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Tevis on his positional versatility:
“I am comfortable at both [defensive end and defensive tackle]. I feel like it is need based, based on the offenses that we will play. I am prepared and they are preparing me to play both inside and outside. Obviously, depending on the different fronts and personnel we see, we will go from there each week.
[At Cal] I played a mix of three technique and 4-I and some five, based on the down and distance we were facing. So, I am experienced all over the line, from the 2-I all the way out to the 5 or 6-I. I am not worried about [where they line me up]. They are doing a good job teaching me the playbook and getting me reps at practice.”
Tom Allen on Tevis during fall camp:
“JH Tevis has been phenomenal, one of our leaders and don’t expect that from a transfer. Such a professional you know he’s getting his MBA, he’s taking quantitative analysis right now which is probably the hardest class in a very hard major. I know that because my son’s in the same class right now doing his MBA and and to do that in being fall camp you know you got to be a grown man and your responsibilities and also have to be pretty sharp. He’s just smart, tough and dependable
“JH is a technician not, as big but understands football and you can see why he was effective where he came came.”
Defensive line coach Paul Randolph on whether Tevis will play tackle or end.
“He’s really capable of being both, he’s extremely intelligent so it allows him to do that and his skill set allows him to be able to do that.”
🗣 This is great! I have someone to talk to all practice.
Get mic'd up with @jh_tevis. pic.twitter.com/aqoNPVGEi0
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) August 27, 2022
Spring ball ✅ #LEO pic.twitter.com/RcEU7Aw3Yw
— JH Tevis (@jh_tevis) May 2, 2022
THE OUTLOOK
Tevis made a considerable jump in 2021 at Cal, earning honorable mention All-Pac 12. Can he continue to ascend in Bloomington?
He was listed as a first-string defensive tackle entering fall camp, ahead of Nofoagatoto’a and Ole Miss transfer LeDarrius Cox. We could find out early this week whether he stayed there, or of course on Friday night at the latest.
His combination of leadership skills, versatility, intelligence and technique has likely kept him in the starting lineup, but if not Tevis will be a regular in what should be a heavy rotation up front.
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