New Ball State football defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles was raised in a blue-collar family, surrounded by workers who stepped up every single day.

Knowles said he does not shy away from hard work, having it instilled in him from the time he was in high school.

Growing up, his father worked in construction. Knowles remembers working alongside him during summers. His dad ran the job site where Knowles was able to work and observe. He looks at that situation the same way he does with his players.

“When I am out on the field, that is what I am trying to be like,” Knowles said. “To get the job done, to get everyone working as hard as they can and trying to help everybody be the best version of themselves so we can be the best defense we can be.”

Knowles has not always been on the football field though. In his younger years, he worked as a border patrol officer. The discipline, training and leadership learned during that time have translated into his coaching profession.

Knowles comes from Butler University, and one of the factors in coming to Ball State was that he did not have to uproot and move his family. It was important to Knowles that his two sons could stay at the same school.

With a master’s degree in teaching, Knowles approaches his players as if he were a teacher.

“If I am in the classroom and talking to the guys, we are trying to teach,” Knowles said. “Now, when we take it to the field, it is not as calm.”

Some goals for the defense are tackles for loss, sacks and takeaways. Knowles said taking offenses off their routines can get opponents behind the chains quickly.

Since the defense lost a majority of their previous players to graduation or the transfer portal, the 2024 squad will be filled with new faces.

Junior linebacker Justin Thomas

Linebacker Justin Thomas is coming off a season at the University of Indianapolis where he had 33 tackles. Within those 33, 15.5 were tackles for loss and seven were sacks.

Thomas said there is not a big difference in skill level from UIndy to Ball State, the only thing being different was the size and speed.

“With the portal, a lot of guys slip through the cracks,” Thomas said. “There are talented guys everywhere from NAIA to Power 5. There are gems everywhere.”

Thomas said his time at UIndy showed him what winning at a higher level looked like.

“That shaped me as a player and I matured a little bit,” Thomas said. “I know the right things to do and when to do them. Hopefully, I can bring that over here [to Ball State].

“I just want to get back to us bowling, win a MAC title and give the fans something to cheer for.”

Thomas said his speed and “sneaky power” are the best qualities he brings to a field. He also said his wrestling background in high school helps him out-leverage people and have mental toughness to succeed.

Graduate student defensive back George Udo 

Defensive back George Udo played at BYU and Cincinnati before landing at Ball State.

Udo said the culture built at Ball State was what brought him into the program when in the transfer portal.

“Once I got here on my official visit, you could tell everybody on the team was close,” Udo said.

Udo said he played corner, safety, nickel and more during his four seasons at BYU. Through those seasons and positions, he said his IQ of the game increased.

Stepping into a new program with Knowles, Udo said the coach has been there to support his players.

“He has helped each and every one of us grow and get better each day,” Udo said.

Udo described his play style as physical and fast, keeping the engine always firing.

Joining Udo in the defensive back position is former quarterback Kiael Kelly.

“He is adjusting to things so well,” Udo said. “Switching over from quarterback to DB, he is getting it down so quick, you can see it on the field too,” Udo said.

Udo said he is aiming for the highest he can go with his goals. He has his eyes on All-MAC, Defensive Player of the Year and wants to go to a bowl game.

Redshirt junior cornerback Myles Norwood

Cornerback Myles Norwood is coming to Ball State from Iowa State. Norwood said his athletic ability with his track background puts him apart from others.

“I bring everything I can to help this team out,” Norwood said.

Norwood said working with so many new faces on the defensive side of the ball has been a fun experience. Just in the first few practices, Norwood said he sees improvement from everyone.

The cornerback has been unable to be in pads since August of last year. Norwood had a season-ending quad tear in 2023. Cutting his season short just two weeks before it even started.

“It was hard, but it made me better,” Norwood said. “It made me a better person as well.”

Rehabilitation for Norwood to get back on the field was a tough process.

“Many days I just wanted to stop playing football, but it honestly made me better,” Norwood said. “I am really grateful because it made me grow closer to God. I am pretty grateful for that injury.”

Norwood said his confidence has grown through his connection with God. Confidence he said is key to playing the cornerback position.

“Through that injury, I lost all the confidence,” Norwood said. “Just growing closer to God and speaking with him made me build that confidence. I feel like my confidence is even better now.”

Contact Elijah Poe via email at elijah.poe@bsu.edu or on X @ElijahPoe4.