Indiana Quarterback Competition Remains Even, Saturday Scrimmage a Critical Juncture

There's been no separation so far in the quarterback battle between Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby, according to Tom Allen and Walt Bell on Wednesday, but Saturday's scrimmage will provide plenty of game-like reps and could be pivotal moment in determining the Week 1 starter.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tom Allen and Walt Bell stood pat in their conviction Wednesday that neither quarterback – Brendan Sorsby nor Tayven Jackson – has separated themselves for the starting job. 

Now in the latter half of fall camp's second week, Jackson and Sorsby are still taking equal practice reps. Allen and Bell won't rush to a decision, but both agreed that Saturday's upcoming scrimmage will offer the most game-like reps of any fall camp practice to this point, representing a potentially pivotal benchmark in the battle.

And regardless of when they make the decision internally, Allen will not publicly announce Indiana's starting quarterback prior to the season opener on Sept. 2 against Ohio State.

"I think [the competition] will start to focus itself," Bell said Wednesday. "I don't think we'll have a decision made, unless it's evident. But for me, the number one rule in decision making is use all time allotted. We've got plenty of time between now and September 2nd, so if it's done after the first scrimmage or if it's pretty evident, good. If it's not, good. We've got a second scrimmage. We've got a lot of time, but that's typically when you start to see a little bit of that separation. So we've got a good scrimmage coming this Saturday, but we're going to have two big ones before we start getting into season preparation."

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

Both Jackson and Sorsby have limited college football experience, which contributes to the elongated battle. Jackson spent his freshman year at Tennessee, where he learned behind Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton and attempted just four passes and four rushes in three games. 

Out of Center Grove High School in Indiana, the 6-foot-3 Jackson was a highly sought-after recruit, tabbed a four-star prospect and the No. 12 quarterback in the class of 2022 by 247 Sports. 

Sorsby's freshman year followed a similar path, as he sat behind Connor Bazelak and Jack Tuttle on Indiana's depth chart. Sorsby made his collegiate debut against Penn State on Nov. 5, when his number was called ahead of Dexter Williams II. But his lone chance to take over at quarterback didn't go well, completing 3-of-6 pass attempts for eight yards and an interception.

Sorsby joined the Hoosiers prior to the 2022 season as a three-star recruit out of Lake Dallas, Texas. At 6-foot-3, he was ranked No. 101 among quarterbacks in the class of 2023, according to 247 Sports. 

Bell said Wednesday that the two quarterbacks have made strides since the competition started in the spring, and are past what he considers the "ABC's" of running Indiana's offense, now onto the "DEF's."

"Both of them have done a great job," Bell said. "They're both very physically talented. In these first six days, both of them have had some really, really, really good moments, some special moments, some average moments, some below average moments. So two young guys that have a lot of physical talent and are competing really well."

Indiana's Brendan Sorsby (15) does a drill 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

Allen is no stranger to quarterback competitions that stretch deep into fall camp. The winner of last year's battle between Bazelak and Tuttle wasn't known until Week 1, and Michael Penix Jr. and Peyton Ramsey competed for the starting job prior to the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Allen said Wednesday that this year's situation is different than the past, though, because of Jackson and Sorsby's inexperience, coupled with a daunting Week 1 matchup against No. 4 Ohio State. But in a general sense, navigating quarterback competitions in the past has given Allen perspective on how he wants to make the decision.

"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. "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."

Allen also shared a promising update on Williams II, who suffered a torn ACL in the 2022 season finale against Purdue. Williams II is further along in his recovery process than both he and Allen thought, and the mid-way point of the season now sounds like a possible timetable for his return.

Indiana had success under Williams II last year, largely thanks to his running ability. Though Williams II was still raw as a passer, the threat he posed as a runner led to Indiana's win at Michigan State, as well as an impressive Jaylin Lucas touchdown against Purdue on an option toss from Williams II.

Whether it's Jackson or Sorsby under center to start the season, Bell thinks either quarterback Indiana has the skillset to pose similar problems for opponents. 

"The entirety of the room is really athletic," Bell said. "So whatever we have to do to be able to run the football successfully. The advantage between Brendan, Tayven, Broc [Lowry], Dexter, everybody in my room is a good athlete. So whatever we have to do to help ourselves be better in the run game is what we'll do."

Indiana will obviously try to highlight the speed and quickness of Lucas, a first-team All-American kick returner last season, but returning running back Josh Henderson and Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner provide Bell's offense with an array of possibilities.

"Anytime you have multi-purpose tools, that allows you to be really versatile," Bell said. "It allows you to create some deception ... We've got a great group of backs, and you add that with a group of athletic quarterbacks and some Swiss Army Knives within the offense with a bunch of skills, hopefully that'll make us better early."

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