IU Quarterback Brendan Sorsby is Growing Before Our Eyes

Written by Ethan Roberts

Head coach Tom Allen spoke about Brendan Sorsby's progression and the evaluation of quarterbacks this season in a press conference Monday.

“I think, even as you saw this game (against Penn State) unfold, I thought the first couple throws were rushed,” Allen said. “I think early in the process he had not played. If you go back and look at his -- just number of snaps at the quarterback position, even back in high school, was not very extensive.”

Sorsby made 285 pass attempts in high school. For reference, backup quarterback Tayven Jackson made 547 pass attempts in high school.

Allen said that Sorsby didn’t get many reps in high school due to injury and playing other position. He also said that Sorsby didn’t have a “quarterback guy” helping him as a kid, which kids from Texas sometimes have.

“He's a physical guy. He ran the ball in high school too, but how are you going to respond when you get the pressure in your face,” Allen said. “I think, as he's gotten that, more of those opportunities to show the game day poise and confidence that you just don't know is there. I think that's definitely something you're seeing each week grow, and I think that will continue as well.” 

Allen continued to echo the sense that Sorsby doesn’t have the first-string locked in.

“He knows he's got to continue. We've got two guys still right there that are very, very close,” Allen said. “So, he needs to continue to stay locked in and focused and keep executing and just keep growing. I think there's no doubt that playing is the best way for him to gain that.”

Allen also spoke about the changing of quarterbacks throughout the season. 

“I've gone through and re-evaluated that. The thing I think you see, though, as the season's played itself out, you kind of see the dilemma that we were in,” Allen said. “You have two guys that had shown signs of doing some good things and also showed signs of being young. Neither one really separated themselves through the process, which made it challenging to make that decision.”

Allen said that it was hard to make a decision in fall camp because there weren’t any real games being played. He reiterated the stance that they needed to see both quarterbacks play live snaps.

“You just want to see whoever takes over to take it and then just start growing and take the position and run with it. I think we've seen these last few weeks the growth with Brendan,” Allen said. “I continue to say we have two very talented quarterbacks that are young, and we've just got to -- I feel good about the progress he's making. I'm excited for his future and for Tayven's future as well.”

The Hoosiers host Wisconsin Saturday at noon. They are still looking for their first conference win of the season after falling to Penn State in a close contest last weekend. Can the Hoosiers salvage something this season? Will Brenden Sorsby be the guy to lead the way?