Mike Katic's Return to IU is Best for Both Sides

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

There was plenty of change surrounding the Indiana football program after the team’s third-straight loss to Purdue. Tom Allen was fired, players entered the portal and other declared for the NFL Draft. Offensive lineman Mike Katic was one of those players who was preparing for the NFL Draft until offensive line coach Bob Bostad called him and floated the idea of playing center at IU in 2024.

“I didn't hear from anyone. I was talking to people and was looking places to train and then one Wednesday morning, those posts that called me was just like, hey, 'I'm just throwing this out there like no pressure, but like, you know, would you want to come back and maybe play center?'“ Katic said of his process of coming back.

After conversations with his family, it was clear that the best decision for Katic was to return and play center. It was also the best decision for IU as well. The Hoosiers saw their entire starting offensive line enter the portal at one point.

“I was like, you know, I get another year under Coach Bostad, which is going to help me even more with my development. And you know, getting a year at center I think will help me in the NFL, because if I'm gonna play in the NFL, I'm kind of an undersized lineman, so center will most likely be kind of my spot. So just all those different factors and yeah, it was just a pretty easy decision for me.”
Katic has 39 games under his belt and 37 starts. He has played center in the past, so the transition will be easier than if he was a younger player.

“I'm familiar with the position. Just a new voice behind me, that's all so there's not many adjustments. I had to make just getting comfortable with the guys around me.” Katic explained.

However there are some big picture differences in the position.

“It's it's much different because now because that guard, you're kind of worried about yourself and the tackle kind of combinations are by ourselves. But now I have to know what everyone's doing. I have to know who's with me where we're going. I have to see the safeties where they're coming down where they're dropping down coverages. All these kinds of things that as I've gotten older and through the years of college I've kind of picked up on so it's easier for me now.” Katic said.

Katic will be playing for new IU head coach Curt Cignetti, both of who are natives of Pittsburgh, PA.

“ I'm from Pittsburgh a lot of these guys are Pittsburgh guys like coach Cignetti…I know a lot of their family” Katic said.

The senior lineman is excited to play for a coach who he shares many values with.

“ I know I've known these guys my whole life but I have and obviously but just having that like Pittsburgh connection we kind of have been we grew up in that kind of same area, the same morals and things like that. So that's what excites me and just getting to work and there are there are no BS guys, you know, get in do your job and get out you know, it's so I'm excited about that.” Katic added.

The Hoosiers are four practices into their spring practice and will hold their spring football game on Thursday, April 18th.