Spring Practice 2020 Position Preview – Offensive Line
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Caleb Jones (77) and Harry Crider (57) will lead the way on the offensive line Image: Amanda Pavelka Hoosier Huddle
Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
Offensive Line
With spring football kicking off on March 7th, it’s time to focus on the 2020 football season. The Hoosiers will have to replace three starters along the offensive line. Veteran linemen Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak both graduated, while left tackle Coy Cronk transferred to Iowa. Since Tom Allen took over head coaching duties, he and his staff have focused on bolstering the depth in the trenches. Indiana has a solid group up front with plenty of youth and good size. While the offensive line may not be the strength of the offense in 2020, this unit should hold their own and have a chance to be better than last year.
Matthew Bedford
Rising sophomore Matthew Bedford headlines the group after a breakout season in 2019. The left tackle from Tennessee was forced into action after IU lost Coy Cronk for the year to injury and he surpassed all expectations. The 6-foot-6 307-pound lineman started eight games at left tackle as a true freshman and his talent jumped off the tape right away. Bedford was a big reason why Indiana’s offense never slowed down despite losing their best O-lineman. Coming to IU as a highly-rated recruit from SEC Country, many had high hopes for Bedford’s career in Bloomington, but it got off to a much quicker start than expected. With a year under his belt, he is a lock to start at left tackle in 2020. If his first season was any indication, the sky is the limit for Matthew Bedford.
Caleb Jones
Caleb Jones started all 13 games last season as a redshirt sophomore. He will be counted on in 2020 to anchor the right tackle spot. Standing 6-foot-8, 358 pounds, Jones provides the Hoosiers with the kind of size on the outside required to compete in the Big Ten. The potential was always evident for the Indianapolis native, but his 2019 campaign proved he could be relied upon over the course of a full season. Now an upperclassman, he hopes to take the next step in his development. With his physical tools, Jones can get even better, and he knows it. This tweet from IU strength and conditioning coach, Matt Rhea shows Jones hard at work:
Mackenzie Nworah
Mackenzie Nworah enters his fifth year at Indiana. The 6-foot-4, 315 pounds lineman from Houston, Texas played in eight games as a junior, almost exclusively at right guard. Nworah provides a steady veteran presence on the offensive line. He has garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors in back-to-back years. Nworah’s versatility will allow him to fill in on the offensive line at either guard spot. He will have a chance to start if he performs well this spring and summer. Nworah will play an integral role regardless as he aims for a strong finish to his career at IU.
Harry Crider
Harry Crider had the most consistent year of his career last year when he started all 13 games with 12 at left guard and one at center. The Columbus, Indiana native was an Academic All-Big Ten selection for a second year in a row. Indiana’s offensive line in 2020 will probably see Crider starting at the center spot. The senior lineman can play at either guard spot if necessary, but his experience will be valued at center. Crider has put together a nice career on the offensive line at Indiana; now he has a chance to finish on a high note.
Dylan Powell
After missing all of last season with an injury, Dylan Powell transferred from Stanford to Indiana. The Missouri native looks to earn a starting spot along Indiana’s offensive line. Powell played left guard and center at Stanford. For the Hoosiers, he’ll most likely start at left guard. Powell has the size and agility to slide along all three interior spots on the offensive line. As a grad transfer, Powell will have one year of eligibility at IU. His addition was vital to the roster, helping compensate for turnover at the position. Whether he starts or not, Powell will be a major contributor up front for Indiana.
Mike Katic
The Pennsylvania-born offensive lineman redshirted his first year on campus. Mike Katic joined the Hoosiers as a three-star recruit and one of the top-100 offensive guards in the nation per 247 Sports. Katic put on the size and strength necessary to hang in the trenches of the Big Ten. If he puts together an impressive stretch of play this spring and summer, Katic could find himself starting at the right guard spot. The young lineman projects to contribute as a redshirt freshman. Katic can fill in along the interior O-line spots and will serve as another key piece in the rotation.
Luke Haggard
Luke Haggard joins the Indiana program from Santa Rosa Junior College in California. A California native, Haggard stands 6-foot-7 and looks the part of a Big Ten offensive lineman. He projects to have two years of eligibility after playing two seasons of JUCO ball. Haggard will need to add some strength, but he’ll have a chance to earn playing time if he can hold his own in spring ball. Depth on the offensive line is as important as any position group, and Haggard’s addition to the roster was important.
Britt Beery
Brit Beery from Carmel, Indiana is now an upperclassman. Beery redshirted his freshman year in 2017 when he moved from defensive line to offensive line. Last season, Beery saw playing time in 11 games and played a big role in IU’s highly successful offense. The 6-foot-6, 313 pounds lineman will fill in at the tackle spots in 2020 and could earn a larger role depending on how spring and summer unfold. Beery brings valuable size and experience to the Hoosiers and sets the bar high for the rest of the group.
Nick Marozas
Now a redshirt sophomore, Nick Marozas did not see game action in 2019. Marozas attended Brother Rice High School near Chicago and was one of the top-20 players in the state of Illinois as a recruit. At 6-foot-5, 301 pounds, Marozas has good size and with two years of college weight training behind him, he can parlay that into a more prominent role in 2020. While Marozas may not be counted on to start out of the gates, he will have a role on Saturdays.
Aidan Rafferty
Aidan Rafferty came to Indiana from Kensington, Maryland in 2018. After redshirting his freshman year, Rafferty saw playing time in four games last season. Now a redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-6, 316 pounds lineman will be among those with a chance to have a breakout season. With a couple starting spots up for grabs on the offensive line in 2020, the competition will be fierce this spring. Rafferty will have as much of a chance as anyone to earn snaps.
Dominic Altimari
Dominic Altimari is entering his redshirt junior season in 2020. After redshirting his freshman year, Altimari did not see game action in 2018 or 2019. The Cincinnati, Ohio lineman has played an integral role on the scout team. Now Altimari is an upperclassman and he will be among those with a chance to earn playing time.
Charlie O’Connor
Charlie O’Connor came to Indiana in 2018 from Western Springs, Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 308 pounds lineman joined the program as a walk-on and redshirted his first season. Last year, O’Connor appeared in four games at center while earning an Academic All-Big Ten recognition. Now as a redshirt sophomore, O’Connor looks to increase his role from last year.
Tim Weaver
Tim Weaver stands 6-foot-5, 309 pounds from Hellertown, Pennsylvania. Weaver took a redshirt season last year and will be a freshman in 2020. Name a two-time scout player of the week in 2019, Weaver will have a fair shot at earning some playing time this year.
Cameron Knight
Cameron Knight joins the Hoosiers from Noblesville High School in Indiana. The brother of former IU offensive lineman (and current Cowboys player) Brandon Knight, Cameron was the 12th ranked player in the state of Indiana per Rivals. Knight may use a redshirt in 2020, but he projects to be a valuable player in the years ahead.
Luke Wiginton
The freshman from Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana arrived in Bloomington as an early enrollee. Luke Wiginton was the 9th ranked player in the state of Indiana according to Rivals. The young lineman may not make an immediate impact, but Wiginton projects to have a long and successful career at IU.
Luke Lane
Luke Lane from Lebanon, Ohio joined the Indiana football program as a walk-on in 2019. Lane redshirted his freshman year and played on the scout team, earning player of the week once. Lane will provide added insurance up front and the scout team will be counting on him.
Ricky Tamis
Ricky Tamis came to IU from Miami, Florida. Tamis walked on to the football team last year and took a redshirt. Now as a redshirt freshman, Tamis will be in the mix for snaps and will play an important role on the scout team.
Peter Schulz
Peter Schulz redshirted the 2019 season. A two-time scout player of the week, Schulz joined the team as a walk-on during fall camp. Although undersized, Schulz will have a chance to make an impact on the practice squad as a redshirt freshman and provide extra depth.
Sean Wracher
Sean Wracher was rated as a five-star long snapper out of high school. The young special teamer did not disappoint. Wracher was the team’s long snapper and short snapper on special teams in all 13 games. Wracher helped Logan Justus earn a second-team All-Big Ten selection and punter Haydon Whitehead get an honorable mention. Wracher will look to build on his consistency from his freshman year and continue to get better.
Jacob Limbach
Jacob Limbach joined IU as a walk-on in 2017. Although he did not see game action in 2018 or 2019, the Greenwood, Indiana native provided insurance at the long snapper spot. Now a senior, Limbach is looking for a strong finish to his Hoosier career.
Summary
Although the Hoosiers lost three experienced and talented starters, there are more than enough candidates ready to step up. Matthew Bedford and Caleb Jones will anchor the left and right tackle positions respectively. The interior positions are up for grabs. Harry Crider starting at center is a strong possibility. Powell, Katic, and Nworah will likely battle for the guard spots. Beyond that, anything is possible. Plenty of young players on Indiana’s roster could have a breakout season similar to Matthew Bedford in 2019. No matter who steps up for the Hoosiers in 2020, the O- line must work together to protect quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and pave the way for Stevie Scott, Sampson James and the rest of the offense.