2020 Position Preview – Offensive Line: Can the Hoosiers Line Push Through to the Next Level in 2020?

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Andrew Walker

Historically, the offensive line for the Hoosiers have been hit or miss depending on the season. Some great, some good, some really bad. That’s just how the cookie crumbles. When it comes to 2020’s offensive line, some questions still remain. Partially due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the public hasn’t been able to see exactly what’s going on at fall camp. Usually, the media and therefore the public would have a pretty good idea of what’s going to be the starting lineup. This year is slightly different. The Hoosiers have a pretty set in stone starting five, but after that there are many moving parts. 

Parity doesn’t have a hold on Big Ten football for long, or really ever. The depth of Indiana’s offensive line is something to marvel at in 2020, and it’s going to come in handy. Freshman Khalil Benson, an offensive lineman from Southaven, Mississippi tore his ACL during last week’s practices. Unfortunate as it is, Tom Allen is staying positive about the young playmaker. “I just really hate this for him," Allen said. "But awesome young man, we really got big plans for him. We know he's going to be a very very good football player for us, and that hasn't changed."

The rest of the offensive line has been doing a great job at staying healthy so far. With the season right around the corner, protecting redshirt sophomore starting QB Michael Penix Jr. will be of utmost importance. Even better, returning for his junior season, second-team All-Big Ten RB Stevie Scott will reap the benefits of a cohesive and experienced offensive line. Let’s take a look at some of those guys that will make up the offensive line. 

Left Tackle

Caleb Jones (6’8” 362 lbs), Aidan Rafferty (6’6” 305 lbs) and Luke Haggard (6’7” 275 lbs)

The left tackle position is made up of young, but really talented players. It is headlined but the biggest Hoosier of them all Caleb Jones who started all 13 games in 2019 and played in 11 in 2018. Jones has come a long way since his first season with the Hoosiers. Always the biggest guy on the offensive line, Jones has been able to cut weight and become just as mobile as the rest of them, while still retaining his forceful protection. Jones is now an upperclassman and with that comes leadership responsibilities. “I am taking the leadership role really seriously” Jones said. “I am trying to take the burden off of Coach Hiller. When he is coaching the guys and one of the tackles in the room has an individual question, they know they can come ask me instead of having to interrupt coach and whatever he is doing. I try to be a helping hand for all of the guys that may not have everything figured out yet.”

Aidan Rafferty will most likely be behind Jones, and as young as he is, he’s got the talent to be a rotation player. The 6’6 redshirt sophomore played four games in 2019 and will surely look to improve and get more playing time this season since Matthew Bedford moved back to right tackle in the offseason.

As for who else will play left tackle with Jones Rafferty, look for transfer junior Luke Haggard to step in and play some serious minutes. The 6’7, 275 pound Haggard was originally a team captain OL at Santa Rosa junior college in Petaluma, CA. 

Left Guard

Dylan Powell (6’3” 305lbs) and Mike Katic (6’4” 311lbs)

This left guard group is perhaps one of the most experienced position groups on the team. Between grad student Powell and Mike Katic, the Hoosiers have a position battle on their hands. After transferring from Stanford, Powell was awarded a sixth year of eligibility in June to give him two total seasons with Indiana football. Powell’s knowledge of defenses and the sheer number of games he’s played in will be a great asset to younger players around him and the team as a whole. Fellow OL Harry Crider had much to say about Powell’s experience. “He's great. The experience he brings is unmatched and he's a huge asset for us and we're feeling really good about him here.

Katic, who redshirted the 2019 season and is still a freshman, has versatility and can be moved to center and either guard positions if need be.

Center

Harry Crider (6’4” 311lbs) , Charlie O’Connor (6’2” 311lbs) and Mike Katic (6’4” 311lbs)

Crider is special. He has been the guy since Hunter Littlejohn left, and according to his teammates, he’s just as solid as Littlejohn was. Matthew Bedford had much to say about Crider’s role at center. “Harry Crider is ready. I really do not feel like there has been a change. There is not much of a difference in the calls. Harry moves in the same way that Hunter Littlejohn moved last year. They do not really have different ways that they call the defenses. The one thing I can say about Harry is that he picks up on the blitzes a little bit better.”

As for the young Katic, we have yet to see anything in game from the 6’4 OL out of Gibsonia, PA, but according to OL coach Darren Hiller, he’s right in the mix of things. “There will be some interesting battles. We are in the early stages of the season from a physicality standpoint. Assignment wise, a lot of those guys between Mackenzie Nworah, Mike Katic, Dylan Powell, Tim Weaver and Britt Beery, everything has been good.

Charlie O’Connor is a redshirt sophomore who has played in four games at center for the Hoosiers. He walked on prior to the 2019 season and has been the number two center since 2019.

Right Guard

Mackenzie Nworah (6’4” 322lbs) and Tim Weaver (6’5” 307lbs)

Nworah, a redshirt senior, played in eight games with three starts at right guard.. While he hasn’t seen the field as much as people expected, when he has played, Nworah has performed well. The experience of helping to protect the second best Big Ten passing offense will be extremely valuable to Nworah and everyone else on that line.

Weaver is a redshirt freshman and has not seen any game action. He came to IU from Pennsylvania as an all-state. He took home two scout team player of the weeks and seems primed to push Nworah for playing time.

Right Tackle

Matthew Bedford (6’6” 314lbs) and Britt Beery (6’6” 315lbs)

As I mentioned, Bedford is now back on the side he calls his home turf. Bedford feels most at home at right tackle, and with fellow RT Caleb Jones, this duo is going to be something feared across the Big Ten. Jones, starting all 13 games, 12 at right tackle and one at left tackle.

As for Beery, he’s on this list too because of his ability to play both right and left tackle. It works well for the OL for Beery to go back and forth if he needs to depending on the defensive front or any specific matchup the staff wants Beery on. 

Like I mentioned before. There are so many other young guys on this offensive line that have the possibility of playing. You never know what could happen in this COVID-19 season, and some of these young guys would have to step up. Hiller already made it clear that there’s plenty of competition among guys young and old. It’s only our best guess against what the staff actually wants, so there’s certainly room for movement. In some ways though, a fierce amount of competition is preferable. Like the old adage goes, iron sharpens iron.