Upcoming Scrimmage is an Important Milestone in IU's Quarterback Battle

Tayven Jackson (right) and Brendan Sorsby (left) are competing for the starting job Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The most talked about position battle on every team, before every season is at the quarterback position. Indiana is no different as the Hoosiers have two redshirt freshmen, Brendan Sorsby and Tayven Jackson, battling it out for the right to start against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2023 season opener.

The Hoosiers will hold their first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday and it will represent an important milestone in the quarterback battle.

“We have a big scrimmage coming up this weekend that’s going to be important, it’ll be the most amount of game-like reps in one setting that we’ve had yet. Really looking forward to seeing that and seeing how they perform in those situations.” Indiana head coach Tom Allen said.

Both combatants for the quarterback job are redshirt freshmen and neither has played a significant amount of college football in their brief careers. This similarity in age and experience gives this battle a unique flavor to it, but has not thrown IU out of rhythm in how they go about practice.

“We basically would’ve followed the same install.” Allen explained. ”One thing that’s nice about this time of year is that the twos and the ones are getting an equal number of reps, numerically. You don’t’ feel like you’re having to alter anything and they’re all in the same system.”

The Hoosiers are about mid-way through the second week of fall camp and offensive coordinator Walt Bell has seen progress at the position.

“Those kids have done a great job preparing themselves for now. Much further past what you would consider the ABCs [of the system]. Now we are on to some DEFs and teaching guys how to think and help themselves in pass protection.” Bell said. “Both of them have done a great job, both are really physically talented, and in these first six days have had some really good moments, some really special moments, some average moments and below average moments. Two young guys that have a lot of physical talent that are competing really well.”

Neither Allen nor Bell would give an update on who is leading the competition right now, but Bell did give some insight on how he will get to making a decision.

“I don't think that we'll have a decision made (after the scrimmage). I mean, unless it's evident. But you know, for me, the number one rule of decision making is use all time a lot. You know, we got plenty of time between now and September 2.” Bell said.

The Big Ten Network will have their fall camp preview show from Bloomington on Saturday as IU conducts their first scrimmage of the fall.