Intriguing potential ranges along IU defensive line

Quietly, Indiana's defense crept out of the Big Ten cellar last season, movement due in part to an improved defensive line.

In coordinator Brian Knorr's 3-4 scheme, players like Bobby Richardson, Nick Mangieri, Darius Latham and Nate Hoff began to turn the momentum of IU's defense. The Hoosiers finished 10th in the league against the run, and 11th in total defense, both representing improvements against recent history.

Of course, Indiana still finished last in the league against the pass -- a concern only exacerbated by losses in the secondary that we'll discuss next week -- and 13th out of 14 in points allowed per game. But under new position coach Larry McDaniel, the Hoosiers got better up front.

Richardson is gone, but most of last year's defensive line mainstays return. As with IU's offensive line, veteran experience is now a strength. Results need to follow, and last season's improvement needs to be followed up with something even more tangible in 2015.

NAMES TO KNOW

Adarius Rayner, 6-2, 300 pounds, R-Sr.

Nick Mangieri, 6-5, 270, Sr.

Shawn Heffern, 6-6, 275, R-Jr.

Ralph Green III, 6-5, 315, R-Jr.

Darius Latham, 6-5, 305, Jr.

Nate Hoff, 6-2, 300, R-So.

WHERE RECRUITING PAYS OFF

That list of six covers the entire preseason two-deep along IU's defensive line, which currently looks like this:

DT: Latham, Green

NT: Rayner, Hoff

DL: Mangieri, Heffern

In some way or another, many of those players were significant recruiting wins for Kevin Wilson and his staff.

They convinced Latham to flip his commitment from Wisconsin to Indiana, hauled Green out of Texas, kept Heffern away from Purdue and managed to commit Mangieri as one of the first members of the 2012 class, Wilson's first full class in Bloomington.

Many of them played young as well, Mangieri, Latham and Green all seeing significant snaps within the first two years of their careers.

Now, Wilson has arguably the most capable and experienced defensive line of his IU tenure. That needs to show.

LAST MAN STANDING

Latham was one of a trio of Indianapolis-area prospects that were considered the crown jewels of IU's 2013 class, one expected to propel the Hoosiers out of the bottom of the Big Ten as it developed.

Now, he's the only one left -- David Kenney transferred to Illinois State, and Antonio Allen was dismissed following his arrest this summer.

In the past, given his athleticism for his size, Latham was the kind of player Indiana might have opted to develop on offense, not defense. Greg Frey's good work with his position group, however, gave Wilson the flexibility to put the former North Central star at defensive tackle, where in two seasons he has appeared in the maximum of 24 games, posting 8 1/2 tackles for loss, and 3 1/2 sacks.

He is hardly the only talented lineman in this group, but the spotlight -- fairly or not -- will shine brighter on Latham. A strong junior season from him could be catalytic to overall defensive improvement.

FINAL WORD

The recruiting work was done well. Players have been given ample time to gain experience, learn from mistakes and improve.

Indiana's secondary is riddled with questions right now, so if the Hoosiers are better defensively, then that has to begin up front, and it has to begin with this group.

In Knorr's 3-4, you might not hear these players' names called routinely. Sometimes, their jobs will involve commanding attention, and creating opportunities for teammates. So long as the job is done well, it doesn't matter what it is.

The talent is there. So is the seasoning. There's one step left for Indiana's defensive line.

OTHER POSITION PREVIEWS

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Offensive line

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.