Small size, big plays for Floyd

Junior defensive back Marcus Floyd said he's blessed.\nHe's not blessed in physical stature. Floyd stands just 5-foot-9 and weighs 191 pounds. \nHe's not blessed with amazing defensive statistics this season. Floyd hasn't intercepted multiple passes, and he isn't constantly pressuring the quarterback.\nInstead Floyd said he's blessed with the ability to make plays and that's why he's thriving in his role on IU's kick and punt coverage teams.\n"That's the one time you get out and you don't have to do much thinking about the scheme or anything," Floyd said. "You just go out and make plays."\nFloyd has made plenty of plays on special teams this season. Although the stat sheet doesn't have a separate category for special teams tackles, many of Floyd's 19 tackles have come on kick or punt coverages.\nUnless a kicker misses a field goal or a returnman makes a great run, special teams players are often overlooked by most football fans. Those who understand football realize a failed kick or blown punt coverage could be the difference in a close game. Coach Cam Cameron has stressed the importance of special teams the entire season and that's why he is not hesitant to complement Floyd.\n"Marcus has had a heck of a year for us," Cameron said. "Especially in the kicking game."\nWhen the Hoosiers fail to make plays on special teams, Floyd blames himself. Despite defeating Minnesota 51-43 two weekends ago, Floyd was disappointed he failed to make a play on Jermaine Mays' 100-yard kickoff return at the beginning of the second half.\n"I took a bad angle and I couldn't catch him," Floyd said. "I took that to heart. I let my guys down. I should've made the play." \nFloyd has taken his ability to make plays and the accountability for his mistakes to the defense, a group always searching for playmakers. Last week against Penn State, Floyd started his first game as cornerback alongside junior Sharrod Wallace. Saturday against Illinois, Floyd is expected to start his second consecutive game on defense.\nPlaying defense is new for Floyd, who is in his third position since arriving at IU in 1997. Floyd was an all-state selection as a tailback after helping Bartow High School (Fla.) to a class 4A championship. When he arrived at IU, Floyd joined fellow freshmen O.J. Conner and Tyrone Browning to form the team's group of wide receivers.\nThe following year, Floyd started six games at running back, gaining 323 yards on 68 carries. With the emergence of then-sophomore tailback Levron Williams and freshman Brian Lewis sitting through a redshirt season, there weren't enough carries for everyone. So, Floyd approached Cameron about moving to defensive back.\n"Things weren't going the way I would've liked for them to at tailback," Floyd said. "I felt like a could help the team more as a defensive back."\nFloyd sat out last season as a redshirt. He practiced with IU's scout team, while learning how to play cornerback at the collegiate level, and last spring he officially moved to defensive back.\n"I have the ability to play the position," he said. "But I have to work on the little things like staying low, breaking on the ball and looking at my keys."\nOne of the major disadvantages Floyd has at cornerback is his size. Most wide receivers in the Big Ten are a few inches taller than Floyd and some like Illinois' Walter Young are eight inches taller. Floyd said he makes up for the size disadvantages by being aggressive and having confidence in his abilities.\nFloyd has no shortage of confidence of his ability on special teams. Floyd's goal now is to bring his confidence and enthusiasm to IU's defense. \n"I see myself as both," Floyd said when asked if he views himself as a special teams or defensive player. "Special teams is more natural for me."\nFloyd still has a year of eligibility and should be a major factor on both special teams and defense next season. By the time he leaves IU, it's safe to say he will be one of the few players in the program's history to make significant contributions at all three phases of the game.\n"He's a guy who is a tailback and then moved over to secondary, hasn't played a lot of corner, but is getting more and more comfortable and has had a real impact in the kicking game," Cameron said. "He's turned out to be a good football player"