Notebook: Cignetti Gives Timeline on Daley and Wyatt, Nothing to Say About Purdue

Indiana Football began week two of training camp today, and head coach Curt Cignetti sat down with the media after his practice. Indiana football is coming off of a national title, but with that, there are a lot of questions about how this team will compare. Camp is when Cignetti can finally get his guys moving the way he wants them to.

Daley and Wyatt Timeline

Indiana made headlines within the past week when they brought back both Stephen Daley and Kellen Wyatt to help out the defensive line this year. Both of these players’ seasons were cut short due to injury this year. Cignetti was asked about the recovery timeline for these players.

“I think Daley will be ready to take some 11-on-11 reps next week, with Wyatt a little bit behind him, and we’re not rushing either,” Cignetti said.

The players are nearing 100 percent, but there is no rush to return for Indiana. It is a blessing for the Hoosiers to have these guys on the roster, and so Cignetti shows no urgency in their recovery.

Indiana’s defensive front looks better on paper than last year’s. It is going to be the strength of the team this following season. At least on the defensive side. Adding Daley and Wyatt was more of a luxury than a need, but it certainly makes them more of a title threat.

“Wyatt was playing really good football when he got hurt, and Stephen Daly really emerged big time. So it gives those guys an opportunity to finish what they started,” Cignetti said.

So now these guys get to prove it.

Tight Ends

If there is a weakness on the offense, it is probably in the tight end room. It isn’t even necessarily a weakness, but more of a question. The players are raw and inexperienced. Brock Schott has the most playing time, with two total catches for 24 yards. Cignetti was asked about them in his presser.

“They were out there in the spring, out there now,” Cignetti said. “Schott has had good moments, and as has Gibbs, from a blocking standpoint and a receiving standpoint, and just trying to get them better because they’re young. But we’re going to be counting, you know, we’re going to be counting on Barker, Schott, and Gibbs for sure, and then figure out that fourth one.”

The depth is unknown for Indiana at this position, but Cignetti is eager to find out what they have. He needs them to be sound in both blocking and receiving. He ultimately believes in the group and in how much they will improve throughout camp. Now is the time to get them ready.

It is very notable that Trevor Gibbs is in the top three, as he is a true freshman. Cignetti might see him as a potential breakout candidate.

Brunner and the O-Line

Joe Brunner will likely play right tackle for Indiana this season, but he is also very flexible and can move inside when needed. Brunner is also a transfer who comes in with a ton of experience from Wisconsin. He has the opportunity to be a major leader for this Indiana team.

“I put them out in front of Flex today to talk to the team,” Cignetti said. “We’ve had the same five or six or seven guys in the spring and early in the fall sort of talk to the team, and now there’s a handful, five to seven other guys. I think that you know have the potential to lead the right way, and you know he was one of them.”

Cignetti likes the leadership he is seeing from his upperclassmen so far, and he knows that Brunner can be a major vocal leader for the team alongside left tackle Carter Smith.

No Comment on Purdue

Last week new Purdue athletic director said, “if you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana,” and caused an uproar on the internet. When asked if he had any thoughts on those comments, Cignetti said, “no, not really.”