Hoosiers Spring Football Preview: The Offensive Line has Work to Do and it Starts Now

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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers will enter spring practice with a whole lot to prove along the offensive line. While some answers have been provided in the hiring of coach Bob Bostad formerly of Wisconsin, the on-field improvement will have to be a ‘see it to believe it’ situation.

The Hoosiers offense has been torpedoed by poor offensive line coaching and play the last two seasons. While it did improve until interim offensive line coach Rod Carey last season, it was too little too late for the Hoosiers to make a real run at the postseason.

IU brings in two offensive linemen this spring in transfer Max Longman and freshman early enrollee William Larkins. IU has a couple more freshmen offensive linemen who will enroll prior to the season, so the numbers in the room will be solidified.

Departed

  • Luke Haggard, Graduation

  • Parker Hanna, Graduation

  • Luke Wiginton, Transfer (Ball State)

  • Randy Holtz, Transfer (TBD)

  • Chris Bradberry, Transfer (TBD)

Returning

  • Zach Carpenter, RS Senior

  • Vinny Fiacable, RS Sophomore

  • Jack Greer, RS Freshman

  • Mike Katic, RS Senior

  • Cam Knight, RS Junior

  • Carter Smith, RS Freshman

  • Kahlil Benson, RS Junior

  • DJ Moore, RS Freshman

  • Bray Lynch, RS Freshman

  • Matthew Bedford, RS Senior

  • Joshua Sales, RS Sophomore

  • Cooper Jones, RS Sophomore

  • Max Williams, RS Freshman

Incoming

·      Max Longman, RS Senior, Transfer (UMass)

·      William Larkins, Freshman

Probable Starters

Zach Carpenter, 6’5” 292lbs. Center- The former Michigan transfer enters his third season with IU. Last season Carpenter played in 10 games, but only a few of those were at center as he hurt his snapping hand in warmups prior to the Western Kentucky game. His absence at center was felt in the loss at Cincinnati. Eventually he returned to center, snapping left-handed. He should be a shoo-in at center if he can stay healthy.

Matthew Bedford, 6’6” 314lbs. Right Tackle- Bedford is IU’s most experienced offensive linemen as he has started in 28 of his 29 games played. Bedford missed all but the first half of the Illinois game with a knee injury, but he should be good to start the season. We’ll see how much full contact IU’s staff will expose Bedford to in the spring, but it is good news he’s back to anchor the line.

Mike Katic, 6’4”, 309lbs. Left Guard- Katic struggled early last year as he bounced between the left guard position and center. With 25 starts under his belt, Katic brings experience to the room and if he can be kept at guard, should be able to hold onto his starting spot in 2023. If not, there is some youth who can move up.

Kahlil Benson, 6’6” 325 lbs. Right Guard- After missing the 2020 season with an ACL injury, Benson did not see any game action in 2021. However, he got his shot in 2022. Appearing in all 12 games and earning five starts, Benson is the front runner for the right guard position.

Joshua Sales, 6’6” 316lbs. Left Tackle- Sales is first in line to replace Luke Haggard at left tackle. Sales played in 10 games with four starts in 2022 as IU had to replace Matthew Bedford. Sales will be competing with transfer Max Longman for the left tackle position.

In the Rotation

Max Longman, 6’4”, 316 lbs- Longman comes to IU after playing in 27 games at UMass with 19 starts. Longman will compete with Sales for the starting left tackle spot. The loser of that battle will likely be the swing tackle in the rotation.

DJ Moore, 6’5” 312lbs- Moore redshirted the 2022 season but should play his way into the rotation at guard this year.

Vinny Fiacable, 6’4” 305lbs.- Fiacable played in two games last year getting his feet wet. He should get his shot to crack the rotation in 2023 as a redshirt sophomore.

Bray Lynch, 6’5”, 295lbs.- Lynch redshirted the 2022 season, but played in four games. He is one of the redshirt freshmen who can play his way into more time as IU is looking for depth at the tackle position.

Carter Smith, 6’5”, 304lbs.- Smith appeared in two games in 2022 and earned scout team player of the week twice. Smith could be in play for one of the guard positions.

Cam Knight, 6’3”, 294lbs.- Knight is probably the backup center in 2023. He has played in three games over his three seasons with the Hoosiers and an injury kept him from playing major snaps last season. IU needs depth at center and Knight could be that player.

Evaluating the Offensive Line Room Entering Spring

The Hoosiers should get two major boosts on the offensive line before even putting the pads on as Bob Bostad takes over as the offensive line coach and with the return of Matthew Bedford who missed 11 games last year with a torn ACL. Bedford is arguably IU’s best offensive lineman and immediately makes the room better.

This is a massively important spring practice for the unit as it is time to work on technique and other fundamentals that will improve the performance on the field. While it may not be tangible until the fall, the work put in the spring is vital for the success of this offense.
IU has talent in the room beyond Bedford. Although the unit has had a rough two seasons, they are experienced and should not be overwhelmed playing in the Big Ten (I know they stunk the last two years).

Nothing is, nor should be, set in stone heading into spring practice. There are a few positions up for grabs and don’t be surprised if there is shuffling in the rotation. Just like the quarterback position, IU does not need to solidify who is starting, but there needs to be progress and improvement so that the starters and the rotation can be set early in fall camp.