@olympian97 Seeing Alberto and his abilities, I would think Colton Joseph would be an excellent compliment. Frankly, while he's obviously a better runner, Alberto's passing has looked concerning to me. I've written it off that it's been a small sample size, but I didn't think he had the velocity or confidence in his passes. With Joseph's mobility, regardless of who the starter and backup are, it would seem to me they would play similar styles so I would think play-calling, blocking and routes would be similar between starter and backup, which I would think would be a big advantage. But, from my limited view of both, I would think Joseph looked closer to a starter to me.
@thehoosierhuddle oh I 100% agree with you on the principle of it. I am right there with you and definitely not excusing the behavior, but just noting that it technically wasn’t illegal contact or anything if he initiated it. Definitely doesn’t feel like it’s ethical to do that while playing for IU though. I didn’t even know it happened that way until recently. It’s a sign of the times we live in. I’m sure that happens a lot.
@olympian97 Seeing Alberto and his abilities, I would think Colton Joseph would be an excellent compliment. Frankly, while he's obviously a better runner, Alberto's passing has looked concerning to me. I've written it off that it's been a small sample size, but I didn't think he had the velocity or confidence in his passes. With Joseph's mobility, regardless of who the starter and backup are, it would seem to me they would play similar styles so I would think play-calling, blocking and routes would be similar between starter and backup, which I would think would be a big advantage. But, from my limited view of both, I would think Joseph looked closer to a starter to me.
I'm struggling with the idea that Colton Joseph would leave ODU to go to a place where he MIGHT start, but is most likely a backup. Why wouldn't he go to Iowa? Wisconsin? Probably a host of other P4 schools that need a starter. Maybe there's some info that I'm not privvy to, but I find that far fetched based on what I have available to me.
@gros-louis we did get Grant Wilson to come be 3rd string. I realize the circumstances are a bit different since he lost the starting job to Joseph, but the chance to compete at a place known for elite development and at the same time make better compensation than as a starter at your previous stop can be alluring. The guy we get has to be confident enough in himself that he isn’t afraid of competition and will understand whether he is the starter or backup he will be better for the experience.I completely get why it’s hard to grasp though. I just continue to remind myself this is the new Indiana and I imagine many QBs now want to be here just for the chance to be great.
@gros-louis - I agree. Maybe he comes to IU thinking he has the ability to beat out a QB who has no starts under his belt? Just a guess but it does seem like we will run into that same logic for any solid QB's we would go after.
Rather than sign a QB like Raiola, Leavitt, Sorsby, whoever like them, for 4 million... I would very, very strongly prefer they look for a mid major, million or so guy, and spend the rest of that money, and then some, on elite levels of OLine and DLine guys.
Rather than sign a QB like Raiola, Leavitt, Sorsby, whoever like them, for 4 million... I would very, very strongly prefer they look for a mid major, million or so guy, and spend the rest of that money, and then some, on elite levels of OLine and DLine guys.
That would be a wiser plan
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I came up with that plan first....
@hurryinghoosiers When NIL first became a thing... I began championing spending 80% of our NIL budget on truly elite offensive and defensive linemen. They weren't getting paid nearly as much as skill position guys, back then. We could have started becoming "Lineman U". Now, if we have... 20 million? To spend... I'd spend half or more of that on 3-4 truly elite, starting linemen on both sides of the ball. Either by retaining guys like we did last year with Kamara... or going to get guys like Coogan... or obviously a combo of both. Give Haines, Shanahan, and Cig elite trenches, and the rest just falls in to place, I'm certain of that.
@iunorth It's a smart recipe. And it kind of was that way this year. Fernando was a bargain (heard the number was $1.5 million) and then you look at the line transfers with Coogan, Benson and Zen on offense and Ratcliff, Wheeler, Daley and Wyatt on defense...I'd rather have those guys than a $4 million portal QB who may not necessarily win the job
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Although not a portal player, Bryce Underwood came to Michigan as a freshman with a four year deal averaging around $3 million annually. He was far from being an impact player this season. Fortunately at IU we have a coach that spends wisely and strategically to acquire talent.
For next year I could very well see both Alberto and the backup from the portal pulling 1.5-2m each considering we will want to bring in someone with experience. I don’t see Cig paying anyone 4m+ for 1 guy to come to IU. Maybe a guy like Julian Sayin, but there are a lot of good QBs out there who can thrive in Cigs system for less. As has been mentioned by others the investment has to be in the trenches. I also wouldn’t mind Nick Marsh getting an attractive offer.
I think we might all need to consider that this year's budget might be more than a little bigger than last year's budget. We're not going to be Texas Tech or some of those other very top spenders, but it's possible that if Cig has a QB he wants with a price tag more than he'd be willing to pay with our overall budget, that someone might step up to cover that price tag, now that we have a very clear proof of concept.
@gros-louis Sure, the budget may be higher, but from the people I have talked to in and around the program and what I have seen at practice, is that this staff loves Alberto. Teams don;'t automatically win because they throw unnecessary amounts of money at a quarterback. The staff will get a portal QB, the caliber of which is yet to be determined (at least publicly) as they take a deeper look at Alberto. It is a roll of the dice to just name him the guy for next year, but if the staff thinks he is the answer they will not go drop $4 million on Brendan Sorsby or the portal QB of the day. Don't let agents pumping up their guys fool you into real interest.
As it stands now, IU is evaluating the need of the caliber of QB they will go get. Will they get someone to compete with Alberto or get someone who can be the backup is still being looked into.
Just because there is more money doesn't mean it needs to be on a quarterback. There are plenty of needs to fill on this roster for 2026.
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