Countdown to 2026 Indiana Football- 75 Days Sam Simpson

The memories of IU’s unprecedented and historic unbeaten run to the National Championship are still fresh in our minds but the work is just beginning for the 2026-2027 Indiana Hoosiers. As Curt Cignetti and his staff gear up for year number three in Bloomington and embark on a quest to become repeat champs, Hoosier Huddle’s Countdown to Kickoff rolls on!

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 304 pounds

Hometown: River Falls, Wisconsin (River Falls High School)

Class/Position: Freshman/Offensive Line

Much of the success for the remarkable turnaround of the Indiana football program goes to stars like Fernando Mendoza or Elijah Sarratt or defensive studs like Mikail Kamara, or even coaches like Curt Cignetti and Bryant Haines. While each of those elements absolutely deserves credit, Indiana does not sniff the College Football Playoff or a 16-0 season without the amazing performance of the offensive line. Bob Bostad’s unit has been rock solid in each of the past two seasons and the big boys upfront helped IU average more than 200 yards per game on the ground in 2025/2026.

The Indiana Hoosiers averaged 39.5 points per game (against FBS opponents), the third-best mark in the country and none of that would be possible without a great offensive line. Indiana returns starters Carter Smith, Drew Evans, Bray Lynch and Adedamola Ajani and they added Wisconsin transfer and former All-Big Ten honoree Joe Brunner so the starting five seems pretty set but the battle for depth pieces will be fierce throughout the summer and fall. One player that seems to have a bit of a step up amongst the freshman is today’s profile feature: Sam Simpson from River Falls, Wisconsin.

Simpson was the 4^th ranked recruit in the state of Wisconsin after starring at River Falls High School for head coach Ryan Scherz. He was a first-team All-State member for the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as both a junior and senior and chose to play for Indiana, keeping Bob Bostad’s Wisconsin to Indiana pipeline humming.

Simpson was not the highest-rated offensive line prospect in the class but he was given the starting nod at guard in the spring game as he worked with the first team in the absence of a number of injured starters. While Simpson was at times overwhelmed by the outstanding IU defensive front, it is a very promising sign for his future that he has already earned the trust of the coaching staff. He is already big enough to play in the Big Ten and could earn a spot as a member of the second five on the offensive line.

At minimum, Simpson is expected to redshirt and have a chance to compete for a starting spot after multiple offensive linemen graduate following the 2026 campaign. 

The countdown continues each day on Hoosier Huddle until IU kicks off the 2026 season against the North Texas Mean Green!