The Indiana Hoosiers open fall camp on July 30th as they embark on a 2025 season that has sky-high expectations. The offseason has been dominated by talks about the College Football Playoff, strength of schedule and future non-conference games. However, now is when the fun starts and we can talk about on the field football things. Here are the five storylines that will dominate fall camp in Bloomington.
Fernando Mania
The biggest storyline is that the Hoosiers will have a new signal caller behind center in 2025 and the hype surrounding him has really never been higher in program history (maybe Penix?). Fernando Mendoza comes over from Cal after starting for two seasons. He brings a big arm and the ability to escape the pocket. There is no quarterback competition heading in to camp, but Mendoza will have to battle the expectations that both the fans and media are putting on him. The Hoosiers got stellar quarterback play last season from Kurtis Rourke and Mendoza will be immediately compared to him.
“I thought his last three practices, one of which was a scrimmage, he made major strides. It really started to click. I felt really good before the scrimmage where we were there with him.” Curt Cignetti said after IU’s spring football game.
Building Depth at Linebacker
Indiana’s defense has three linebackers that could start with Aiden Fisher, Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones. What is behind those three is a mystery. The Hoosiers moved Quentin Clark to defensive end and Kaiden Turner hasn’t shown the potential he flashed at the end of the 2022 season. Fall camp is a chance for Indiana to build depth at the position with youth. PJ Nelson was in for spring practice as a true freshman and could be pushed into service if Turner can’t be a viable option to back up Hardy at the Will linebacker position. Mikail Kamara’s brother, Amari, is also a freshman, but shouldn’t be counted on to see the field this early. So who steps up?
Offensive Linemen Returning From Injury
IU’s offensive line was incomplete this spring due to players recovering from injury. Drew Evans, who Cignetti said was clear for practice, is coming off an achilles injury after starting nine games for the Hoosiers last season. Kahlil Benson was also held out of spring practice due to an injury recovery. Both players could lay claim to the left guard spot. Benson can actually move out to tackle if needed. Austin Leibfried had a hand injury in the spring as well, but he still participated and will be in the mix at right tackle depth.
Position Battles
There are several positions that have players fighting for a starting spot on both offense and defense.
Left Guard
It’s Drew Evans against Kahlil Benson for the starting left guard spot. Both players are proven and experienced in the Big Ten. This battle may come down to who is the healthiest
Corner #2
D’Angelo Ponds is cemented as IU’s top corner, but who starts opposite him is up in the air. It’ll be Jamari Sharpe against Ryland Gandy. Sharpe played a ton for the Hoosiers last year in a reserve role and filled in for Jamier Johnson when he got hurt. Gandy started 13 games for Pitt last season and is no slouch. Other pundits have been giving Sharpe the upper hand here, but Gandy is well in the mix and can win the job.
Safety
There has been plenty of talk about who starts where at safety and rover for the Hoosiers. There is a lot of talent and I think the starting unit is pretty clear, but pieces can be moved all over the field. Devin Boykin and Lou Moore can be either Rover or free safety. They both worked at both spots this spring. Amare Ferrell can be played in multiple spots as well. Those are probably the starting three.
Nose Tackle
A battle of the big guys will feature Tyrique Tucker, who played well behind CJ West last season, and Dominique Ratcliff, a very productive transfer from Texas State. Tucker has been with this staff for three years, but Ratcliff may have more raw talent. IU will use both players plenty and the more depth along the defensive line, the better.
Battling Expectations
The Hoosiers have not had back-to-back winning seasons since 2019 and 2020. Vegas has set the win total for IU at 8.5. Before last season the last time IU won nine games was in 1967. The expectations are unprecedented in Bloomington.
It is easy to get caught up in the hype and rest on last season’s accomplishments. However, that is not Curt Cignetti’s standard.
“We’re not looking to sustain it. We’re looking to improve it.” Cignetti said last week in Las Vegas. The Hoosiers have some runway before the stakes ramp up against Illinois on September 20th, but battling the expectations will be something to watch.