Position Battles Outside of Quarterback are Beginning to Take Form

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

While all eyes have been on the quarterback battle, there have been several other battles, from the offensive and defensive lines to the defensive backfield starting to simmer under the surface.

“I think it’s becoming a little more clear on some of those guys on both sides. On offense, you’ve got a lot of guys who have been here and are playing.” Head coach Tom Allen said.

One of the biggest questions heading into the 2023 season is the offensive line. An offensive line unit has to work as one, but it is also important to find a way to get the five best lineman on the field at the same time. That is the phase that the Hoosiers are in now.

“These last couple of practices we’ve mixed some guys from tackle to guard, and guard to tackle, to continue to create that depth.  At the end of the day, you’re always try to play your best five. Kahlil Benson can play guard and tackle, Josh Sales can play guard, Matt Bedford can play guard and tackle. Just trying to find the best combination. With Max (Longman) in the rotation, Mike Katic play center at times and (Zach) Carpenter can play guard. That position flexibility, we’re working through that right now and I think that’s important.” Allen said.

Across the line of scrimmage the defensive line is having their own battle. It’s a position with plenty of new faces from the transfer portal and plenty of potential as well.

“Defensively, we do have more bigger bodies that we can rotate, and keeping those guys fresh is going to be a priority.” Allen explains. “I think you’re kind of getting to those eight to nine guys that you’re going to rotate there that we feel good about. Those guys you saw in the scrimmage, they just have to continue to develop. I do think we as a staff are getting closer into the ones and the twos, who those guys are and who the rotational guys will be. The defensive line is one of those where you’re going to just play a lot of guys. I think the position demands that with the way we want to play and how we do things, and we rotate them, so that’s pretty consistent there.”

The wide receiver is another room that features more new faces joining a handful of returners. While some players may have a their roles carved out, there are still jobs up for grabs.

“I think Omar Cooper continues to make more plays, E.J. (Williams) is showing up and making plays, D-Mac (Donaven McCulley) is continuing and DQ (DeQuece Carter) those guys and Andison (Coby), it’s a lot of guys there that we’re counting on. Obviously, Cam Camper he is a special talent, and he continues to bring his rep base along to allow him to continue to grow and develop.” Allen said. “We’re going to play a lot of guys at receiver and Kam Perry is another one, too. All those guys are going to play, and we expect them to play, so I don’t know that we have it all fleshed out on who the starters are, I really don’t think about it like that in a lot of ways, it’s just who is going to be out there on the field to help us win.”

The Hoosiers still have over two weeks until the open the season against Ohio State on September 2nd. Spots in the rotation are starting to fill up and more answers will be found after IU’s second scrimmage of the fall on Saturday.