Indiana Football Positional Preview: DeBord and Allen Looking For the QB Who Can Make Plays and Protect the Ball

The Hoosiers have a three-way QB battle going on Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Today we continue our positional previews as the Hoosiers move closer to their season opener in Miami against Florida International. Today we will take a look at the position that everyone is talking about, the quarterbacks. The Hoosiers entered fall camp with a quarterback battle that I thought would be settled quickly. However, that is not the case and the competition has been heating up all of August. “Everybody is right in the thick of it” quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan said Tuesday after practice as all three signal callers received first-team reps.

So how will the quarterback battle be decided? Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord gave the two key characteristics he is looking for in his starter. First, DeBord is looking for the guy who will take the best care of the ball. The second characteristic he is looking for is the ability to make plays, something the Hoosier offense lacked last season. So, with the guidelines set, let’s take a look at the three candidates that could start behind center on September 1st.

Peyton Ramsey, Redshirt Sophomore

After the 2017 season ended I had a lot of questions about how Ramesy could improve enough to be a real factor in the Big Ten. While he played in nine games, with four starts, he needed to get stronger throwing the ball and faster on the ground and he needed to be able to stay healthy. So far, Ramsey has answered the bell better than I expected.

Peyton Ramsey (12) Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Last season Ramsey threw for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing 65.4 percent of his passes and added 226 yards and two touchdowns rushing. However, throwing down field became an issue as he missed several open receivers in key spots and he missed the final four games due to injury. Ramsey, at times, seemed hampered by injuries the entire season.

Thus far in fall camp Ramsey has been really impressive. He has connected on a handful of deep throws, added zip to his passes has increased his running speed. One of Ramsey’s best assets is his cerebral approach to the game. He studies film, takes care of the ball, only five interceptions on 205 pass attempts in 2017, and the team will follow where ever he leads them.

Brandon Dawkins, Redshirt Senior

Dawkins came to Indiana from the University of Arizona where he played in 23 games with 14 starts before missing time with an injury and ultimately losing his job to Kahlil Tate. In those 23 games Dawkins put up 2,414 yards and 15 touchdowns passing and an impressive 1,582 yards and 20 scores on the ground. But he needs to take care of the ball as he tossed 15 interceptions.

Dawkins has had to shake off some rust as he did not join the Hoosiers until the summer and he is still getting the playbook down. He has an infectious personality and brings a much-needed veteran presence to the quarterback room after four years in the PAC-12. Dawkins is known more as a runner, but his arm strength is better than expected even if his accuracy needs to improve. He has thrown some great passes, but has struggled putting the ball where he wants all of the time. Most importantly, he must get the playbook down and until he takes the blue jersey off Dawkins' true running ability can't be judged since joining IU, which he says is lucky for the defense.

Mike Penix, Freshman

The young gunslinger began turning heads when he started firing passes in spring practice. Penix chose IU over Florida State and enrolled early after tossing 61 touchdowns his junior and senior seasons in high school. In spring practice, it was clear he possessed the strongest arm, but needed to learn the touch needed to be more than just a thrower. When watching Penix play, one can’t help but think how good he will be down the road, but down the road could be sooner rather than later as the freshman has impressed even more during camp. He has learned to throw the ball with touch when needed and throws the deep ball with ease. Add it the fact, that Penix can also run the ball when needed there is no question he is right in the middle of this race. If Penix doesn’t win the job for the opener, the new redshirt rule will allow the Hoosier staff to see what he has in four games before deciding how to proceed. If Penix is helping this team win games, his redshirt will undoubtedly be burned.