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Indiana's 2022 football season is quickly approaching, and with just under a month until fall camp begins, Peegs.com is counting down the top-30 most important Hoosiers ahead of the season.
The criteria for these rankings are based off of projected impact, playing time and production for only the 2022 season, while also considering past production, experience, and injury history.
However, since these rankings are based exclusively on the 2022 season, long-term potential will not be taken into account for a majority of players. For example, an underclassmen such as four-star incoming freshman cornerback Trevell Mullen has clear upside and star potential, but he doesn't project to see the field extensively this season as he continues developing, thus he will not crack our rankings.
As we continue to roll out the rankings, you can find the updated list at the bottom of each story with links included to each player we've already profiled. Honorable mentions will also be recognized prior to the unveiling of our top five.
With that, today we'll continue with the No. 29 most important Hoosier ahead of the 2022 season.
He may not be the loudest choice, he may not be the sexiest choice, and he may not be the most productive choice. But when it comes to fifth-year defensive tackle Demarcus Elliott, he's one of Indiana's most established choices.
At the end of the 2021 season, it wasn't a given that Elliott would return for a fifth year. He had already graduated from IU with a degree in hand, and his size and production could've been enough to net at least a cursory glance at the professional level. However, Elliott seemingly has unfinished business in Bloomington and is taking full advantage of another year of college eligibility.
At 6-foot-3 and 313 pounds, Elliott is every bit the big-bodied defensive tackle necessary for the Big Ten's trenches. As he's continued to develop under head coach Tom Allen's defensive scheme, his combination of size and motor has turned him into a mainstay along Indiana's defensive line.
In Elliott, the Hoosiers possess one of the most consistent interior defensive linemen in the conference. Across three seasons at Indiana -- he spent his freshman year at Garden City Community College -- Elliott has started 18 times and appeared in 32 games, while racking up 78 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 3.0 passes defended, and one forced fumble.
Although Elliott's three career sacks all came in 2019 during his first season at Indiana, it gave credence to his two-way ability, not only stopping the run but also creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
To the former, Elliott has made a name for himself as a run-stopper at Indiana. In the clip below, watch as Elliott (94) gains easy leverage on the Michigan lineman and pushes him to the side seemingly at will, clearing a tackling lane for former star linebacker Micah McFadden.
This goes down as a tackle for Micah McFadden, but I want you to watch DL Demarcus Elliott and CJ Person at the top of the screen. The two of them occupy three Michigan o-linemen, forcing a cutback and a McFadden tackle. #iufb pic.twitter.com/Lf0fKltsKt
It's with that combination of strength and agility that has allowed Elliott to remain an integral part of Indiana's defensive line rotation from the moment he suited up in an IU uniform.
While defensive tackles often don't receive the same amount of attention from fans as skill position players, their overall impact can't be lost in the shuffle of things. That is, without Elliott wearing the cream and crimson over the last three seasons, the Hoosiers likely would've been thin in the trenches. With Elliott, though, Indiana has a dependable, experienced run-stopper and pass-rusher that's capable of executing whatever is asked of him.
The Bottom Line: The departures of IU standouts Ryder Anderson and Weston Kramer this fall will leave the Hoosiers defensive line more vulnerable than it has been in a while. However, with Elliott deciding to return, along with the additions of Ole Miss transfers Patrick Lucas and LaDarrius Cox, Indiana's interior in the trenches should be in capable hands. Elliott's intimate familiarity with Tom Allen's defensive scheme, coupled with his toughness and leadership skills, should parlay into a successful fifth season. And although the end-of-season box score may not be the loudest for Elliott, his presence alone should pay dividends for the Hoosiers on defense.
Top-30 Most Important Hoosiers updated rankings
No. 30: Senior RB David Ellis
No. 29: Fifth-year DT Demarcus Elliott
No. 28-20: Not yet revealed
No. 19-10: Not yet revealed
No. 9-1: Not yet revealed
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