Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Isaiah Jones, Carter Smith & Tyrique Tucker
8/19/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Following the 11th day of the Indiana football program's fall camp on Wednesday (August 19) linebacker Isaiah Jones, offensive lineman Carter Smith and defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker talked with the media in the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room.
Below is a partial transcript, while video of the full media sessions can be found in the links above this story or at IUHoosiers.com/watch.
Isaiah Jones| LB | Fifth Year
On wearing the green dot and how he has settled into that role...
IJ: I wouldn't say anything has surprised me. I would say the only difference is instead of looking over to the sideline and getting the signal, you just hear coach Haines in your ear. That kind of speeds up the process for me. I can set the front, set the field. It kind of takes looking over to the sideline off my plate, and now I can just set the front. Getting to things that might be a little more important [faster].
On the strategy to wearing the coach-to-player communication...
IJ: It cuts off at around 15 seconds [on the play clock], so that could be an advantage for [either side]. It can be an advantage and disadvantage for either side. It depends on [the scheme], if it is a tempo offense they might be snapping the ball before it gets to the 15-second mark. If they are going to be taking their time, they might take it down to five seconds. It cuts off for both sides and at that point, your [green dot] is making the checks just like the quarterback is going to make a check with his o-line on pass protection.
On having a lot of experience spread out across the defense...
IJ: I think it definitely is a benefit to have guys that have played in the system. Our system is not a normal system. There is a lot of movement. There is a lot of stemming and disguises with the safeties, linebackers. Then, the defensive line, the games they are running. When you are a veteran in this system, specifically, I think it helps a lot and speeds up the process. It gives the young guys someone to look up to and see the right look every time in practice.
Carter Smith| OL | Fifth Year
On how he feels bouncing back after injury…
CS: I feel strong. I actually had an incident today where I broke my arm brace, so I think I'm feeling extra strong from that. In terms of playing the game, it never really leaves. Being out for spring ball and being part of the offense still having a good gauge and watching everything that's happening doesn't really count me out I don't think. So, I'm feeling good and it's good to be back in there.
On Joe Brunner's transition to tackle…
CS: He's doing a great job. I think he protects the edge very well moving from guard to tackle. We're always bouncing ideas off each other you know maybe sometimes he'll like to handle something a different way and it kind of provides a new perspective for us and something we can do. In terms of his growth at the position of tackle, he's done very well. I think he works really good with (Adedamola) Damola, too. That's a position I think he's going to continue to fill.
On how the offensive line has grown with him back on the field…
CS: I think my coaching role has kind of dissipated and now I'm just doing my best to provide the best example on the field that I can. Every time that they ask me something, I'm going to be like 'hey we run the same plays, make sure you get your mental reps' like you're in the back watching, and you get all your communication done as well. Making sure that they have those aspects done in the classroom to be able to apply on the field and then have an older guy that you can lean on to advance their progress, I think that's really good for them.
Tyrique Tucker | DL | Fifth Year
On his impressions of the offensive line...
TT: That group is coming together pretty well. Every day they get better and they challenge us to keep getting better and keep raising our standard [on the defensive line]. In turn, we raise our standard and it makes them raise their standard. It is kind of like iron sharpening iron.
On teaming up with Mario Landino in the middle of the defense...
TT: Me and Mario talk about it all the time, but I think it is more so how much we gel together and how much chemistry we have on the field. Being that this is our third year playing together, we work well together. We have good chemestry and natural ability to play of each other. We understand what is going on around us, both of us, and it helps us when we know what the end is doing, what the stud is doing, what everyone involved is doing. We kind of understand that well and we can play off of that.
On Blake Smythe's development...
TT: Blake is a fast learner. He kind of gets it right off the rip. he is a great addition and is making a case to get some playing time. That is for sure. He just does things so well, gets things so fast. It doesn't take him too long to understand things fully and what people are doing around him.
Below is a partial transcript, while video of the full media sessions can be found in the links above this story or at IUHoosiers.com/watch.
Isaiah Jones| LB | Fifth Year
On wearing the green dot and how he has settled into that role...
IJ: I wouldn't say anything has surprised me. I would say the only difference is instead of looking over to the sideline and getting the signal, you just hear coach Haines in your ear. That kind of speeds up the process for me. I can set the front, set the field. It kind of takes looking over to the sideline off my plate, and now I can just set the front. Getting to things that might be a little more important [faster].
On the strategy to wearing the coach-to-player communication...
IJ: It cuts off at around 15 seconds [on the play clock], so that could be an advantage for [either side]. It can be an advantage and disadvantage for either side. It depends on [the scheme], if it is a tempo offense they might be snapping the ball before it gets to the 15-second mark. If they are going to be taking their time, they might take it down to five seconds. It cuts off for both sides and at that point, your [green dot] is making the checks just like the quarterback is going to make a check with his o-line on pass protection.
On having a lot of experience spread out across the defense...
IJ: I think it definitely is a benefit to have guys that have played in the system. Our system is not a normal system. There is a lot of movement. There is a lot of stemming and disguises with the safeties, linebackers. Then, the defensive line, the games they are running. When you are a veteran in this system, specifically, I think it helps a lot and speeds up the process. It gives the young guys someone to look up to and see the right look every time in practice.
Carter Smith| OL | Fifth Year
On how he feels bouncing back after injury…
CS: I feel strong. I actually had an incident today where I broke my arm brace, so I think I'm feeling extra strong from that. In terms of playing the game, it never really leaves. Being out for spring ball and being part of the offense still having a good gauge and watching everything that's happening doesn't really count me out I don't think. So, I'm feeling good and it's good to be back in there.
On Joe Brunner's transition to tackle…
CS: He's doing a great job. I think he protects the edge very well moving from guard to tackle. We're always bouncing ideas off each other you know maybe sometimes he'll like to handle something a different way and it kind of provides a new perspective for us and something we can do. In terms of his growth at the position of tackle, he's done very well. I think he works really good with (Adedamola) Damola, too. That's a position I think he's going to continue to fill.
On how the offensive line has grown with him back on the field…
CS: I think my coaching role has kind of dissipated and now I'm just doing my best to provide the best example on the field that I can. Every time that they ask me something, I'm going to be like 'hey we run the same plays, make sure you get your mental reps' like you're in the back watching, and you get all your communication done as well. Making sure that they have those aspects done in the classroom to be able to apply on the field and then have an older guy that you can lean on to advance their progress, I think that's really good for them.
Tyrique Tucker | DL | Fifth Year
On his impressions of the offensive line...
TT: That group is coming together pretty well. Every day they get better and they challenge us to keep getting better and keep raising our standard [on the defensive line]. In turn, we raise our standard and it makes them raise their standard. It is kind of like iron sharpening iron.
On teaming up with Mario Landino in the middle of the defense...
TT: Me and Mario talk about it all the time, but I think it is more so how much we gel together and how much chemistry we have on the field. Being that this is our third year playing together, we work well together. We have good chemestry and natural ability to play of each other. We understand what is going on around us, both of us, and it helps us when we know what the end is doing, what the stud is doing, what everyone involved is doing. We kind of understand that well and we can play off of that.
On Blake Smythe's development...
TT: Blake is a fast learner. He kind of gets it right off the rip. he is a great addition and is making a case to get some playing time. That is for sure. He just does things so well, gets things so fast. It doesn't take him too long to understand things fully and what people are doing around him.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ FootballWednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19