Indiana Football Observations Through Two Weeks of Fall Camp

Indiana football wrapped up its second week of fall camp on Saturday with the first team scrimmage, offering more game-like reps for quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby than any practice so far as they compete for the starting job. Here are five observations after two weeks of fall camp.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Coach Tom Allen and the Indiana football team have concluded their second week of fall camp.

Indiana held a team scrimmage on Saturday, and several open practices have provided an inside look at the Hoosiers heading into the 2023 college football season. 

Here are five observations following the first two weeks of fall camp.

1. Neither Quarterback has emerged as starter

Saturday's scrimmage offered game-like reps for fellow redshirt freshman quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby, more than any practice to date, according to Allen. Both quarterbacks are young and inexperienced, with just 10 pass attempts at the college level between the two. 

Allen said the goal was to split reps 50-50 between Jackson and Sorsby, who were the only quarterbacks participating in Saturday's scrimmage. While they weren't exposed to live contact, Indiana tried to simulate game reps as best as possible.

"They need to play football," Allen said. "For pocket presence, we do use the flags because we’re trying to teach them … Without hitting them we’re trying to kind of press the pocket a little bit on them and make them feel that."

Both quarterbacks had their fair share of struggles in the scrimmage, with a handful of nice throws and productive runs mixed in. Indiana clearly wants to utilize the quarterbacks' athleticism outside of the pocket, similar to the success it found with Dexter Williams II toward the end of 2022.

Jackson has shown impressive elusiveness at times throughout the fall, which contributes to an arguably higher ceiling than Sorsby. But Sorsby is a good athlete, too, and he's kept pace with Jackson in passing situations. All indications at practice show both have a chance to win the starting job.

Indiana won't publicly name a starting quarterback before the season opener against Ohio State on Sept. 2, and Bell said Monday that is No. 1 rule in decision making is to use all time allotted. 

"At the end of the day, we're going to pick the guy that we think gives us the best chance to win," Allen said Monday. "Part of the equation and factors of, 'Okay, who do you project to be able to have the biggest growth as we get into games four, five and six? Obviously guys are competing really hard, and I spend a lot of time in the quarterback meetings on purpose. I just want to see all that's said on the field and off the field and how they prepare and that's all part of the equation."

Indiana's Tayven Jackson (2) takes the snap during the first day of fall camp for Indiana football at their practice facilities on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 :: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

2. Offensive line taking form

Along with quarterback, the offensive line is a crucial position group for Indiana in 2023. Allen hired Bob Bostad in January in hopes of improving the unit, and the players have seemingly embraced his coaching throughout the offseason. 

While Indiana did not experience significant personnel changes along the offensive line, it got a major boost when starting right tackle Matthew Bedford was cleared for action after tearing his ACL in Week 1 last season. Left tackle Luke Haggard is the only consistent starter Indiana lost from the 2022 season.

Things could change before the season opener against Ohio State, but a starting five is beginning to emerge along the offensive line: Right tackle Matthew Bedford, right guard Kahlil Benson, center Zach Carpenter, left guard Mike Katic and left tackle Carter Smith. Bostad said UMass transfer Max Longman is, "right on the edge of being a starter."

"[The offensive line] was a huge focus, for sure," Allen said. "Bob has a tremendous track record in our conference. I already feel like we've gotten better, certain things that he's brought. And getting Matt Bedford back is huge. Losing him week one was a big blow to us; he was our best offensive lineman. He's back now 100 percent which is exciting. I'm very excited for him. I think the whole group needs to be able to mesh with them. [Bostad] been with them all spring, being able to bring in his thoughts and ideas, the toughness he brings, the attention to detail, the way he coaches them, and just the relentlessness of the way he approaches offensive line play."

With Bostad on board and Bedford back from injury, there's reason to believe the offensive line can improve on its play from last season, but they'll have to prove so on game day.

New Indiana offensive line coach Bob Bostad instructs his players during practice / Indiana Athletics

3. Kicking competition up for grabs

Charles Campbell handled field goal and extra point duties for the Hoosiers in each of the last three seasons, but he transferred to Tennessee this offseason, leaving a kicking competition in his wake. 

Indiana brought in Nico Radicic, the third-ranked kicker in the nation for the class of 2023, according to Kohl's Professional Camps. Allen said Saturday that Radicic is "nursing something," so he did not kick during the team scrimmage. It's currently unclear what Radicic's injury is and how long he'll be out.

Without Radicic, returning kickers Chris Freeman and Alejandro Quintero attempted all field goals and extra points during Saturday's scrimmage. Freeman served as Indiana's kickoff specialist in all 12 games last year and has been with the Hoosiers since 2020. He has not attempted a field goal at the college level, but Freeman is 2-for-2 on extra points, both coming against Idaho during the 2021 season.

Quintero is listed as a punter on the roster, and he appeared in one game during the 2022 season, sending a kickoff through the end zone for a touchback against Idaho. 

Allen was not ready to name a starting kicker when asked on Aug. 4 about the competition.

"We’re going to try to put those guys under duress," Allen said on Aug. 4. "So, right now I’d say it’s very even, but time will tell without question."

4. Talented receivers, running backs

The running back and wide receiver rooms have been two of the most impressive position groups throughout fall camp. In the backfield, Indiana has three running backs – Jaylin Lucas, Josh Henderson and Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner – that each bring something different to the table.

Lucas was named a first-team All-American kick returner as a true freshman last season, returning an FBS-high two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2022. He displayed high-level speed an agility as a runner, and figures to play a big role as a in the run game, as well as a slot receiver, kick returner and punt returner. Henderson had a productive season for the Hoosiers a year ago, generating 398 rushing yards, 274 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns on 5.9 yards per touch. Turner is a physical runner, creating a versatile trio. 

Under first-year coach Anthony Tucker, Indiana appears to have a deep receiving corps, as well. Indiana's leading receiver from 2022, Cam Camper, is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 last season, but he plans on playing in the season opener. In 2022, he hauled in 11 receptions for 156 yards against an Illinois secondary led by Devon Witherspoon, the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Along with Camper, Indiana has additional long, athletic receivers in 6-foot-5 Donaven McCulley and 6-foot-3 Clemson transfer E.J. Williams Jr. In the slot, Fordham transfer DeQuece Carter and redshirt freshman Kamryn Perry have made plays throughout the fall. 

Indiana has a variety of weapons at running back and wide receiver, but how effective they can be will rely on quarterback and offensive line play, which remain major questions.

Indiana's DeQuece Carter (4) catches a pass during the first day of fall camp for Indiana football at their practice facilities on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 :: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

5. Different faces all over defense

Indiana lost nearly its entire defense from last season, including 11 of its top 13 tacklers. Fortunately, leading tackler Aaron Casey is back, and he'll anchor the defense at middle linebacker. Noah Pierre also returns for his sixth season at the "husky" position – Indiana's version of a nickel cornerback, which combines safety, cornerback and linebacker responsibilities. Safety Josh Sanguinetti returns with experience as a backup safety, as do Patrick Lucas Jr., LeDarrius Cox and Myles Jackson on the defensive line. 

But the vast majority of playing time on defense will come from offseason additions. On the defensive line, Andre Carter (Western Michigan), Marcus Burris Jr. (Texas A&M), Philip Blidi (Texas Tech), Lanell Carr (West Virginia) and Anthony Jones (Oregon) are all expected to contribute. After redshirting at Indiana last year, Venson Sneed and Nick James will likely see more playing time in 2023. 

In the secondary, multi-year starters Tiawan Mullen, Jaylin Williams, Devon Matthews and Bryant Fitzgerald all graduated. As a result, transfers Jamier Johnson (Texas), Kobee Minor (Texas Tech), Nic Toomer (Stanford) JoJo Johnson (Iowa Western C.C.) figure to combine with returning redshirt freshmen Jamari Sharpe and James Monds III and true freshman Jordan Shaw for most of the action at cornerback. 

After serving as backups in 2023, Louis Moore, Phillip Dunnam, Bryson Bonds and Jordan Grier are in the mix for playing time at safety, along with transfer Tyrik McDaniel (Independence C.C.) and true freshman Amare Ferrell.

Indiana's Andre Carter (1) prepares during fall camp for Indiana football at their practice facilities on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023 :: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

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