Indiana University Athletics
SPRING SESSIONS: Spring Practice No. 9
4/14/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– With practice No. 9 in the books, the Indiana football program held a media session in the Don Croftcheck Team Room inside Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday (April 14). Defensive backs Amare Ferrell and Preston Zachman both talked to the media following practice.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found in the links above or at IUHoosiers.com/watch.
Preston Zachman |DB| R-Sr.
On the depth and versatility in terms of different positions players can play at safety…
PZ: I think it's both of those things. It's a lot of experience in the back end. I think that's a huge thing when you have a lot of game experience from a lot of players that know how things work in game. Then also a lot of guys that can play a lot of different positions, very versatile, stuff like that. So, you can do a lot of things and move a lot of us around.
On what he was looking for when going into the portal, and what made Indiana such a fit…
PZ: I just see the obvious success. Then after talking with some of the coaches, kind of their philosophies on scheme and things like that, and how they run things. It's a way to grow my knowledge of the game, and I felt like these coaches were the coaches to do that same evening.
On what his strengths are and what he brings to the team's defense…
PZ: Like I was saying before, I think I have a lot of experience. I've seen a lot of things, played a lot of different positions. I think I bring the knowledge side to the game, little bit of savviness, just being able to relate to other players, but then also being able to be plugged in anywhere, if needed.
Amare Ferrell |DR| Sr.
On how his leadership has grown now that he is more experienced...
AF: It's definitely a big thing, me being a vocal leader now, knowing that the older guys are gone now, and that I'm the older guy here. And I know what it takes to win. I definitely feel like I'm doing a good job of being that leader, being that role model for the safeties room and for the team as well.
On his next steps for his game and on the field…
AF: Just like we talked about, being a leader. I want to make everybody around me better, make everybody's job easier. Communicate and fly around for my brothers.
On how his relationship is with Preston Zachman…
AF: Our relationship is a great relationship. He's a guy that's played a lot of football. He came from a great defensive school, so he was able to pick up on things a lot quicker than a lot of guys that have played in this defense.
On what the team wants to take away the most from last season and change going into this season…
AF: Last season was last season. What we did last year was last year's team, this is a whole new team. Most of the returning guys, we haven't talked about last year. We don't want to bring that into this season, because it's a new season and we have to do it all over again.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found in the links above or at IUHoosiers.com/watch.
Preston Zachman |DB| R-Sr.
On the depth and versatility in terms of different positions players can play at safety…
PZ: I think it's both of those things. It's a lot of experience in the back end. I think that's a huge thing when you have a lot of game experience from a lot of players that know how things work in game. Then also a lot of guys that can play a lot of different positions, very versatile, stuff like that. So, you can do a lot of things and move a lot of us around.
On what he was looking for when going into the portal, and what made Indiana such a fit…
PZ: I just see the obvious success. Then after talking with some of the coaches, kind of their philosophies on scheme and things like that, and how they run things. It's a way to grow my knowledge of the game, and I felt like these coaches were the coaches to do that same evening.
On what his strengths are and what he brings to the team's defense…
PZ: Like I was saying before, I think I have a lot of experience. I've seen a lot of things, played a lot of different positions. I think I bring the knowledge side to the game, little bit of savviness, just being able to relate to other players, but then also being able to be plugged in anywhere, if needed.
Amare Ferrell |DR| Sr.
On how his leadership has grown now that he is more experienced...
AF: It's definitely a big thing, me being a vocal leader now, knowing that the older guys are gone now, and that I'm the older guy here. And I know what it takes to win. I definitely feel like I'm doing a good job of being that leader, being that role model for the safeties room and for the team as well.
On his next steps for his game and on the field…
AF: Just like we talked about, being a leader. I want to make everybody around me better, make everybody's job easier. Communicate and fly around for my brothers.
On how his relationship is with Preston Zachman…
AF: Our relationship is a great relationship. He's a guy that's played a lot of football. He came from a great defensive school, so he was able to pick up on things a lot quicker than a lot of guys that have played in this defense.
On what the team wants to take away the most from last season and change going into this season…
AF: Last season was last season. What we did last year was last year's team, this is a whole new team. Most of the returning guys, we haven't talked about last year. We don't want to bring that into this season, because it's a new season and we have to do it all over again.
Players Mentioned
DB
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