Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Kaelon Black & Devan Boykin
10/28/2025 7:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– As Indiana Football's Week 10 matchup at Maryland on Saturday (November 1) approaches, seniors Kaelon Black and Devan Boykin addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Kaelon Black | RB | R-Sr.
On being fundamentally sound as a team...
KB: Honestly, it starts with the head man. He preaches that day in and day out, making sure we're being technically sound, detail-oriented, and making sure we're limiting our penalties as much as we can.
On playing in a high-scoring and efficient offense...
KB: Honestly, it's so fun, man. It all starts in practice. The guys that we have and the camaraderie that we have as a team, like I said, being very detail oriented, being very focused in practice, and it translates to the game.
On Justice Ellison transitioning from teammate to coach...
KB: It's been great, man. Justice is on us hard every single day, but he also understands as a player what it was like, so we listen to him with open ears, and honestly, it's been great.
On if Ellison still hangs out with the running backs…
KB: *laughs* Yeah, sometimes.
Devan Boykin | DB | R-Sr.+
On what makes the defense work so well…
DB: A lot of the things we do on defense, as far as disguise and just kind of confuse the quarterback, and our ability to kind of fly around and to show different coverages and play man, I think that really helps us.
On becoming comfortable in the system…
DB: When I first got here, I dove right into the playbook immediately. Obviously, it takes you a couple weeks to really understand and understand your role just in the defense. When I got here, I was playing free and rover, so it's a lot.
On his journey to IU from NC State…
DB: When I got into the portal, they were one of the teams that hit me up. When I came up here on my visit… as soon as they picked me up from the airport, I kind of got a feeling that this might be where I need to be.
On what sealed the deal for IU…
DB: Obviously, I talked to Coach (Ola) Adams. When I met with (Curt) Cignetti, it was kind of the one that hit home for me. Just learning him, I really didn't know much about him at first, but when I met him, he's a guy that's very direct. He gone say what's on his mind and he's going to tell me what he needs from me and my roll, better relationship with him.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Kaelon Black | RB | R-Sr.
On being fundamentally sound as a team...
KB: Honestly, it starts with the head man. He preaches that day in and day out, making sure we're being technically sound, detail-oriented, and making sure we're limiting our penalties as much as we can.
On playing in a high-scoring and efficient offense...
KB: Honestly, it's so fun, man. It all starts in practice. The guys that we have and the camaraderie that we have as a team, like I said, being very detail oriented, being very focused in practice, and it translates to the game.
On Justice Ellison transitioning from teammate to coach...
KB: It's been great, man. Justice is on us hard every single day, but he also understands as a player what it was like, so we listen to him with open ears, and honestly, it's been great.
On if Ellison still hangs out with the running backs…
KB: *laughs* Yeah, sometimes.
Devan Boykin | DB | R-Sr.+
On what makes the defense work so well…
DB: A lot of the things we do on defense, as far as disguise and just kind of confuse the quarterback, and our ability to kind of fly around and to show different coverages and play man, I think that really helps us.
On becoming comfortable in the system…
DB: When I first got here, I dove right into the playbook immediately. Obviously, it takes you a couple weeks to really understand and understand your role just in the defense. When I got here, I was playing free and rover, so it's a lot.
On his journey to IU from NC State…
DB: When I got into the portal, they were one of the teams that hit me up. When I came up here on my visit… as soon as they picked me up from the airport, I kind of got a feeling that this might be where I need to be.
On what sealed the deal for IU…
DB: Obviously, I talked to Coach (Ola) Adams. When I met with (Curt) Cignetti, it was kind of the one that hit home for me. Just learning him, I really didn't know much about him at first, but when I met him, he's a guy that's very direct. He gone say what's on his mind and he's going to tell me what he needs from me and my roll, better relationship with him.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
FB: Kaelon Black Media Availability (10/28/25)
Tuesday, October 28
FB: Devan Boykin Media Availability (10/28/25)
Tuesday, October 28
FB: Week 10 (at Maryland) - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Monday, October 27
FB: Week 9 (UCLA) - Curt Cignetti Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, October 25