Hammond Central junior Giovani Bailey-Hannah downplays his physical gifts.
But the 5-foot-7, 165-pound linebacker has always been a student of the game.
“I really watch even way more film this year than last year,” Bailey-Hannah said. “Since I’m not that big or tall or fast, I really watch a lot of film. I want to know the play before the play happens. I want to know what’s going to happen every single play. I feel like film helps.”
That diligence has paid dividends for Bailey-Hannah, who later clarified with a laugh that he’s “fast, just not the fastest.” He has a team-high 35 tackles and two fumble recoveries for the surging Wolves (4-0), and his nine sacks rank first in the state, according to MaxPreps.
“I’m really just focusing on becoming something everybody can look at,” Bailey-Hannah said. “We want everybody to be strong. I want to show out. I go out there every night and try to show out and be the best player I can be. I really try to make a difference in a game, play to my highest capabilities. I really want to be looked out for.”
Bailey-Hannah has been on that path, starting since he was a freshman. He had 69 tackles with four for loss, three sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception last season.
“When you start as a freshman, you get that experience,” he said. “I have that experience freshman year to sophomore year to junior year, and now I’m here and have all this experience. I know what to do. I’ve been in the Friday night lights.”
Bailey-Hannah has been able to impart his knowledge to teammates, including junior outside linebacker Anthony Hinton.
“Not only is he good at the position itself, but he also has a way of bringing all of us linebackers together because he played both middle and outside,” Hinton said. “He has a way of bringing all of us together at the same time even if we’re losing, starting to fall apart, had a bad play.
“He has great leadership skills. He gives me a lot of tips and pointers because this is my first varsity year. He’s really great to have on the team.”
Bailey-Hannah played inside linebacker in each of his first two seasons before moving outside this season.
“We wanted him to be on the outside because of his speed,” Hammond Central coach Adam Hudak said. “A lot of teams are trying to get outside on us, so we need to contain the outside. Having him there has really solidified us keeping everything inside.
“We just let him go get the quarterback, and he’s getting there. We’re being aggressive on defense, and he’s a big part of that. He just knows the game so well. He understands the opponent’s tendencies, and he takes advantage of that.”
Still, there’s been a bit of an adjustment with the position switch.
“It’s a change,” Bailey-Hannah said. “It’s a really big change. But I’m really good at reading what’s happening while the play is going on. When I moved outside, it got me more feel, and I could see the backfield more freely. Since I’m way faster than the tackle, I can get around and make the play.
“I like it. But if I have to change my spot, I always will. Whatever the team wants me to play, I’ll play.”
Last season, in its second year as a school, Hammond Central reached a Class 5A sectional final before losing to Merrillville to finish with an 8-3 record. Bailey-Hannah has no intention of being part of a team that takes a step back.
“We’re a bunch of athletes,” he said. “We come from all different backgrounds, and we’re just trying to step up. We know what we’re capable of. We have a lot of talent. We’re trying to go to that potential.”
That type of team-first attitude from Bailey-Hannah, who also advanced to a wrestling regional as a 152-pounder in February, doesn’t surprise Hudak.
“He’s the heart and soul of the defense, for sure,” Hudak said. “He’s a big reason why our defense is so good. He’s just a great overall kid. He epitomizes what it means to be a Hammond Central football player.”