Zach Horton Adds Veteran Leader to IU's Tight End Room

Written by: TJ Inman

The Indiana Hoosiers enter the summer still looking to finetune Curt Cignetti’s first roster as the head coach in Bloomington. They are looking to add pieces on the defensive line and in the secondary but one position they know they will not need to address post spring transfer portal window is tight end. That is largely thanks to the presence of senior Zach Horton, the first team All-Sun Belt transfer anchoring the group. Horton came with Curt Cignetti from James Madison after hauling in 27 receptions for 275 yards and catching six touchdowns in 2023. Horton is a terrific blocker and feels very comfortable in coordinator Mike Shanahan’s offense.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Horton told the media after spring practice in April. “Coach Cig believes in the motto of “if you block, you’ll get the rock” and I blocked a lot in my sophomore and junior years,” Horton said with a chuckle.

Horton was a critical addition during the offseason as he adds a proven and veteran pass catcher and accomplished blocker. Most importantly, Horton is a leader that knows the system Shanahan and Cignetti are installing at Indiana. He joins a tight end group that is full of potential but light on production. Young players like Sam West and Brody Kosin were well-regarded prospects that can learn under Horton and contribute in small doses while Trey Walker, Brody Foley and James Bomba should be ready to battle for playing time in two tight end sets or when Horton needs a breather. That group combined for a total of 16 receptions in 2023 and they desperately need more production from the tight end room this coming campaign.

Horton has spent his first months in Bloomington getting comfortable with his new teammates and surrounding and attempting to make himself a better player.

“Obviously, I came with the staff but I still want to find ways to connect with Indiana people and help them out with the offense. I’m still trying to be a leader. I’m working to improve myself by knowing the defense better and seeing what I can do on film to correct myself in the offseason,” Horton said.

The decision to follow Cignetti to Indiana was an easy one for Horton due to the faith he has in the coaching staff. “They are really good at finding mismatches. Identifying what defenses do and what their habits are. I like how they put athletes in space and let them work.”

The senior from Virginia has high goals for the 2024 season and moving to the Big Ten does not change his expectations. “I am trying to be first-team all-conference again. I believe in myself and I can do that. Obviously, the main thing is try to help the team win and put us in a winning position.”

Zach Horton and the Indiana Hoosiers kick off his final season of collegiate football on August 31 against the FIU Panthers.