Countdown to 2019 IUFB Kickoff: 87 Days (Michael Ziemba and Jack Cardillo)

Written by Sammy Jacobs and Amanda Pavelka

It’s another double-dip day for the Countdown to Kickoff as we take looks at defensive lineman Michael Ziemba and kicker Jack Cardillo.

2019 Countdown to Kickoff - #87

Name – Michael Ziemba

Position – Defensive Line (Junior)

Hometown – Sanford, Florida (Lake Mary)

Height – 6’3”

Weight – 266

As the countdown marches on we once again look at an important depth piece along the defensive line, that’s what happens a lot during days 99-80 though. Today we dive deeper into Michael Ziemba, a junior from Florida who was rated as a top-25 tight end coming out of Lake Mary High School.

Ziemba never got to play tight end in college as he was transitioned to the defensive line, a position he also played at Lake Mary. He made 59 tackles including a sack during his junior season and only played in one game as a senior due to a foot injury.

There was no redshirt year for Ziemba as he was thrown straight to the fire as a freshman playing in 10 games mainly on special teams. He made four total tackles.

Last season, Ziemba bounced between tackle and defensive end while remaining a key part on special teams. He played in all 12 games, giving him 22 career appearances, while making six tackles including a sack of David Blough in the Old Oaken Bucket game. Ziemba’s biggest output came at Ohio State when he posted three total tackles.

Entering his junior season, Ziemba had encouraging spring. Indiana head coach Tom Allen said that, “Michael Ziemba is probably the one that's flashed the most in terms of a guy we need to step up at the defensive end spot. He's always played hard, but just that confidence and execution, I'm starting to see more of that and his athleticism is continuing to grow.”

With his ability to play both tackle and end and be a reliable special teams player, Ziemba needs to be a most consistent contributor as an upper classman. His athleticism will allow him to be successful and another year under the tutelage of defensive line coach Mark Hagan should continue his upward trajectory. Even though Ziemba may not start, he should be a regular rotation player and allow Kane Wommack to deploy many different looks upfront.

2019 Countdown to Kickoff: #87- JACK CARDILLO

Height: 6’1’’
Weight:  171 pounds
Hometown: Evergreen, Colorado
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Position: Kicker

Depth at the kicker position is not lacking for Indiana football as Jack Cardillo makes the fifth kicker on the 2019 season roster. The walk-on quit his high school’s soccer team to be a wide receiver for the football team and ended up taking over as punter and kicker the last three games. Cardillo impressively ended his sole football season all-conference kicker, recording 6-of-7 field goals and without missing a single extra point. 

As far as Cardillo’s chances for play time, they are not likely. Logan Justus’ breakout season is pretty convincing evidence he’ll be Indiana’s go-to kicker in his fifth year. Add 2017 Army All-American Charles Campbell into the mix, it’s not likely Cardillo could even be backup. 

Hutch’s Trivia Question

Harry Gonso had four career passing games with 200 yards or more. How many came in 1967?

Yesterday’s Answer

Ted Kluszewski