Indiana Spring Football Notebook: Offensive Line Play, Running Back Flexibility

After spring football practice on Thursday, Indiana coach Tom Allen discussed the offensive line's development with new coach Bob Bostad, flexibility in the running back room and what he's seen from the wide receiver room.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana is in the midst of a 15-day spring practice schedule, with Thursday's session being day No. 5.

Indiana has revamped its roster this offseason, bringing in 19 new faces through the transfer portal in addition to its high school recruiting class. Tom Allen will begin his seventh season as Indiana's head coach when the 2023 season kicks off on Sept. 2 against Ohio State at Memorial Stadium.

Allen met with the media on Thursday to discuss spring practice and look ahead to the season. Here's our Indiana spring football notebook for March 23, beginning with a few storylines around the offense.

Offensive line development

Indiana's offensive line struggled to protect the quarterback and create lanes for the running backs in 2021 and 2022, but Indiana hired new offensive line coach Bob Bostad in hopes of changing that.

Bostad brings plenty of experience from his time at Wisconsin and in the NFL, and Allen has seen players respond to Bostad's coaching early on. He said Carter Smith has taken the next step after seeing in-game action as a true freshman while maintaining redshirt status, and Allen wants Khalil Benson and Josh Sales to continue their development. He also pointed to Vinny Fiacable and Zach Carpenter as lineman that have stood out.

"Even some of the older guys that are being coached by a new coach, I think Michael Katic is one that's really embraced that part," Allen said. "He's been here a long time and played a lot of football, but you still want to be able to adapt ... With coach Bostad, I love the drill work. I love the attention to detail. I love the intensity and toughness that he's created with our guys. He's a no nonsense guy, and I'm expecting improvement in that area."

Running back flexibility

Jaylin Lucas earned first-team All-American honors as a kick returner during his freshman season in 2022, and he figures to play a major role in Indiana's offense as a sophomore in 2023. Allen has discussed Lucas lining up in backfield, catching passes in the slot and finding creative ways to get him the football.

This versatility could pave the way for two-back sets, including Lucas, Josh Henderson and Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner. Henderson averaged 4.4 yards on 90 carries last year along with 274 receiving yards, and Turner rushed for a combined 1,022 yards on 254 carries over the the last two seasons.

"It's just the reality of getting your best players on the field," Allen said. We've got some talented running backs, and Jaylin has proven he can do a lot of special things with the ball in his hands, especially in space so we want to maximize that ... I think those guys in that backfield, and add Christian Turner to that group, he has a chance to be a special player as well. So I'm excited about that running back room. We have a bunch of guys in there that can run really hard so want to get them on the field as much as possible."

Emerging wide receivers

After beginning his career in junior college, Cam Camper had a breakout season for Indiana in 2022, leading the Hoosiers with 569 yards in seven games. His season was cut short due to a torn ACL, but Allen said he expects Camper to be ready to go for Week 1. 

Donaven McCulley made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver last season, hauling in 16 receptions for 169 yards. There's a definite learning curve for McCulley at his new position, but he showed flashes of talent with a 6-foot-5 frame.

"I thought he made some more plays today," Allen said of McCulley. "Every day he's made plays, and that's what I expect. We've had some really good heart to hearts about it, and he knows where he wants to be and where I believe he can be. It's just having continued growth at that position and learning it and finding a way to get open and make plays and go score the football."

Indiana was able to use a redshirt season with receivers Kamryn Perry and Omar Cooper in 2022, who Allen has spoken highly of in their short collegiate careers. From Marietta, Ga., Perry stands at 5-foot-9 and boasts impressive speed in quickness. Cooper, teammates with McCulley at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, saw some action as a kick returner in 2022, and Allen is looking for the former four-star recruit continues to develop this offseason.

"I think both those guys that you saw today made plays, especially Omar," Allen said. "He's been consistent with that, and Kam is so dynamic and explosive. I see him as a guy to be able to be in that slot position and in multiple ways be able to get him the ball. Yeah, those guys have made progress like they needed to, but it's just the continual growth has to be there. I'm looking for consistency every day, maturity, as you go from a true freshman to now a redshirt freshman."

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• QB TAYVEN JACKSON INTRODUCED AT INDIANA: Tayven Jackson met with the media on Friday for the first time as an Indiana quarterback after announcing his decision to transfer from Tennessee on Jan. 15. Jackson is the younger brother of Indiana star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, and he wants to build his own legacy as a Hoosier. CLICK HERE
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