Indiana's Top Five Players to Watch During Spring Practice 2020

Michael Penix (9) is back healthy and ready to go Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Spring practice starts in March and while no games will be won or lost during the all too brief interlude of the offseason, it will be an extremely important time to begin shaping the 2020 campaign. Hoosier Huddle is providing extensive spring football coverage and today, we are focusing on who we feel are the five most important players to watch during this practice period.

1.     Michael Penix/Jack Tuttle

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. The transfer of Peyton Ramsey means the top two in the quarterback room is set in stone. Michael Penix is going to be the starter and Jack Tuttle will be the backup. Tom Allen has said both quarterbacks will be “full go” for the spring practices and that is critical as they look to get acclimated with the restructured offensive line and the new offensive coordinator. Nick Sheridan was the quarterback coach so the two signal-callers should be quite familiar with what he is looking for. Michael Penix has added 15 pounds of muscle to his frame in order to better withstand the physicality of the Big Ten and IU desperately needs him to be healthy all season. If he gets banged up or is knocked out for any extended period of time, IU’s season will fall to the inexperienced but talented Jack Tuttle. Indiana needs both of them to perform well this spring.

2.     Tim Baldwin

A running back position preview is coming out in a few days and Tim Baldwin is featured in it. While he is clearly behind Stevie Scott and Sampson James, the transfers of Ronnie Walker, Cole Gest and Ivory Winters have left the Hoosiers thin at the running back position. Behind the two top dogs, Baldwin is the only scholarship running back on the roster and this spring will be crucial for him to pick up the offense, learn what it is going to take to perform in the Big Ten and develop the trust of his teammates and coaches. While IU has Ahrod Lloyd, Connor Thomas and incoming Charlie Spegal as walk-ons, they’ll definitely need Baldwin to contribute in 2020.

3.     Damarjhe Lewis

One of the highest rated recruits in the 2020 recruiting class, Damarjhe Lewis chose Indiana over offers and heavy pursuit from several SEC schools. He is a defensive tackle that showed an ability to pressure the quarterback from the interior of the line, something the Hoosiers could desperately use. Defensive line coach Mark Hagen left for Texas and IU recently hired Kevin Peoples from Tulane. Peoples coached a Tulane line that produced the most sacks in the American Athletic Conference and one of his first priorities will be working with the early enrollee from Georgia. Lewis has a body that is ready to produce in the Big Ten and it will be fascinating to see him perform this spring. If he shows he is ready, it will be a huge boost to a defensive line that is already returning quite a few good pieces.

4.     Dylan Powell

Indiana returns their starting two tackles on the offensive line as Matthew Bedford and Caleb Jones are back as anchors on the outside. Harry Crider also returns. However, the Hoosiers need to find two new starters and graduate transfer Dylan Powell is expected to fill one. After missing all of last season with an injury, Powell graduated from Stanford and transferred to Indiana. He is expected to fill a hole at guard with it being very possible that Michael Katic will be the starting center. Powell has not played competitive football for a while so it will be very interesting to watch the Missouri native and see how he fits on this offense. If IU can answer the questions they have on the line, this should be a dynamic offense.

5.     Jacolby Hewitt

Hewitt redshirted the 2018 season and then impressed in the spring of 2019. He looked like a potential breakout candidate until tearing his ACL in June. Hewitt is now full-go and with Nick Westbrook and Donavan Hale graduating, there is an opportunity for playing time. This spot could go to a number of young wideouts: Miles Marshall (who is likely ahead of Hewitt heading into spring), Jordan Jakes and Da’Shaun Brown to name the three most likely besides Hewitt. David Ellis seems likely to mostly play at slot or running back and a few very talented freshman will be arriving in the summer so this spring is incredibly important for the group behind Ty Fryfogle and Whop Philyor to assert themselves with the quarterbacks and new offensive coordinator.