2015 Positional Preview: Quarterback

Nate Sudfeld will be under center for the first time in a game since mid-October 2014. Image: IndyStar.com

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Get ready for a blitz of positional previews over the next 24-36 hours Hoosier Nation because we will be throwing multiple positions at you until Sunday night. We have already talked about the running back and defensive back position, now it is time to take a look at the quarterbacks.

Sudfeld is Back!

It’s the key cog that Hoosier fans have been dying to get back on the field since he crumpled on the field at Iowa last October. The good news is that Sudfeld feels good and looks good, but practice reps are not even close to full go on a fall Saturday. Both the fans and Sudfeld himself want to see how he holds up after taking that first hit. Only then will the senior count himself as officially back.
Head coach Kevin Wilson calls Sudfeld a young veteran. It may sound like a Yogism, but it is true. He has only played in 25 games in his three seasons in Bloomington, and get this, has thrown one pass against Purdue.
Hoosiers need Sudfeld to improve upon his performances from 2014, which were up and down. Sudfeld was terrific against Missouri, Bowling Green, and North Texas (70% completions 829 yards 5 TDs and 0 INTs) and struggled against Indiana State, Maryland, and in the first half against Iowa (45.3% completions 322 yards 1 TD and 3 INTs), while the receivers dropped their fair share of balls Sudfeld just looked out of sync when he struggled. The big-armed California native has all the tools to be a great quarterback in 2015, but we need to see him put it all together.
His receiving corps, which we will get too later, will be better than last year despite the losses of J-Shun Harris (Injury) and Camion Patrick  (Eligibility). Sudfeld has worked all off-season to get on the same page as these young guys and has taken a more vocal leadership role during his final go around in B-Town.

So Who Will Be the Back-Up?

This will either be the player IU fans love or loathe seeing on the field in 2015. If a second quarterback is playing a significant number of snaps it means one of two things. Either the game is out of hand or Nate Sudfeld is unable to play. 
The leader for the backup quarterback position if it is mop up duty will probably be redshirt freshman Danny Cameron. Cameron has been impressive this spring with his throws and his understanding of the playbook. Also, look for Donovan Hale to get a few snaps in certain situations, a la Chris Covington last season, except Hale is a better runner and much more of a threat with the pass. 
If starter Nate Sudfeld does miss an extended amount of time, I would assume that Zander Diamont to start in his place. Diamont started the final six games of 2014 and having that game speed experience will make him the frontrunner to start in case of an emergency.

Some One Will Have to Redshirt

The Hoosiers have more depth at quarterback in 2015 and that will allow them to redshirt a player or two without it having to be because of an injury. The two best candidates to redshirt the 2015 season are true freshman Austin King and sophomore Zander Diamont. King, from Alpharetta, Ga., should be an easy call to redshirt to help build that QB depth for the future. The one time North Carolina State commit, could be helped out big time by a year in a college nutrition and strength program. He does have a solid arm and can be a threat with his feet as well.