Weaver & Kelly's IU Football Podcast: Fall Camp Preview

Peegs.com's Matt Weaver and Jared Kelly preview Indiana football's 2025 fall camp which is set to begin on Wednesday, July 30.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome in everybody. It is Monday, July twenty eighth, just
a few days away from the start of twenty twenty
five fall camp for Indiana football. Matt Weaver. Jerry Kelly
here from peagues dot Com. We got a lot to
talk through, Matt. It's spent quite a couple of months
since we last talked here. Big Ten Media Days was
last week in Las Vegas. Kurt signetti death would stir
up some headlines there. We'll get into all of that,

(00:26):
break it down, and then also Fall camp is starting
up here on Wednesday, so we will all be there
for that. First. I wanted to start with Big Ten
Media Days. I was there, Me and Rabbi were there.
I know you were watching from Afar. Matt, just did
you have any big item takeaways from anything kurtz Snetti
or the player?

Speaker 2 (00:43):
Said No, I mean not really. I mean, you know,
kurse Scgnetti was Kurt Signetti. He was opinionated, you know,
shooting from the hip. You know, I thought he made it,
you know, I thought, you know, he obviously cast some
I guess controversy with the CC scheduling comment, but it
looked like a number of Big ten coaches.

Speaker 3 (01:05):
You know, really had his back and agreed with what
he said.

Speaker 2 (01:08):
You know, so but I it's you know, I Aiden
Fisher was Aiden Fisher, McCaul, Kamara, Eligistra, they were all
And I thought Sara's breakout session.

Speaker 3 (01:18):
Was really good. I think of the video, I think
it might have been the longest of the three.

Speaker 2 (01:22):
I thought his was really good. I watched all three
of them, actually multiple times, but it was you know,
it's you know, media days are what they are. Everybody
kind of says the same thing, although I guess he's
a little bit different. He doesn't really say what everybody
else says. He's more speaks his mind. I guess maybe
some coaches. But I thought it was good and obviously,
you know it's it's now, it's time to get on

(01:43):
the field and go out and prove it and try
to back up what you did last season.

Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yeah, this was a very reminiscent of last year's Big
ten media Days when Signetti first arrived at IU. But
I thought this time, you know, he talked a big
game like he did last year, but I thought this
time there's a lot more validation maybe behind him. You know,
like last year, a lot of people were looking at
him like, is this guy crazy? You know this time
around obviously you know he has the twenty twenty four

(02:08):
season in his back pocket to sort of stand on.
And my biggest takeaway, and I had written this in
my column last week, if you guys hadn't read it,
it was just the amount of people, you know, just
walking around Mandalay Bay, the amount of people talking about Signetty.
You know, there was a group like ESPN reporters that
I had heard with an earshot that we're talking about

(02:29):
Indiana like this. I don't think this has ever happened,
you know, at least in my time covering the program.
So it really is just a stark, stark contrast of
where Indiana has been in the last year or so.

Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, and you know, it's it's uh, it's it's kind
of surreal. I mean for somebody who's been coming this
program for as long as I have, it's it's, uh,
it's out of the ordinary. But it's also it's also
pretty cool. And you know, uh, you have a you know, ESPN,
you know, are gonna be the biggest sports network there is,

(03:03):
you know, talking about the Indiana football program. I mean,
you know, I would guess in the past, if they
ever were doing that was probably as the butt of
a joke. And now they're talking about it because of
what they've accomplished and what they're expected to do under
Kurt Signetti this year and in the years to come.
So yeah, I thought that story did was really it
was really really cool story, really interesting, and really good

(03:24):
observation from you that Indiana has become a talking point
in college football and not and and for the right reasons,
not for the reasons they've been a talking point for
so many years.

Speaker 1 (03:34):
Certainly, Yeah, I mean we're mid July, not even a
start fall camp yet, and college football wants to talk
about Indiana. And you know, I was saying, mister Rabby two,
it is like, you know, a lot of people gave Chrisignetti,
you know, you know, especially those from the SEC, will
give them a tough time for what he said.

Speaker 4 (03:50):
But it's like when.

Speaker 1 (03:51):
You're Indiana and and you know, you need to get
talked about. I'm of the thinking that that all publicity
is good publicity for the program. And it's not like
Signetti has said it anything, you know, bad about the
program to put the program in a bad light. But
you know, if if you need to sort of take
some shots from the SEC and those down south to
get eyes on the program. I you know, I think

(04:13):
that's honestly better for any end of than where it
has been in the past.

Speaker 2 (04:18):
Yeah, and obviously, I mean, I I don't follow these
sc guys, but I did see, you know, one guy
came out on Twitter and I you know, I guess
really went after him.

Speaker 3 (04:25):
And I'm I'm sure I'm on SEC coaches. He's probably
not not getting a lot of good reaction, but you know,
it's it's not wrong what he said.

Speaker 2 (04:35):
I mean, in the facts back it up. And they
play one less you know, conference game in the Big Ten,
which I think has become a real, real sticking point
between the two conferences. I think the commissioner for the
is it petit. I hope I said that right. He's
really made that.

Speaker 3 (04:49):
It's it's kind of he's been picking that bone at
the you know, about how they want to do the
playoff going forward.

Speaker 2 (04:55):
And if things don't change, how he thinks it should
be done. So it's hard to argue with him because
it is different. I mean, it's it's different. They have
an advantage over the Big Ten you know, with that
with that one last conference game. I thought it was
interesting that Signetti said there's been rumors of this that
they'd be interested in doing, you know, like a cross conference.
You like, you you play the Big ten SEC, kind

(05:17):
of like the a SEC Big ten Challenge for so
many years in basketball. Maybe it'd be like a Big
ten SEC Challenge of football where you play another SEC
team every year.

Speaker 3 (05:25):
So I think that would be pretty cool.

Speaker 2 (05:27):
I don't know how much traction there is for that,
but I think that would be a really interesting, really
interesting deal if they if they started doing that.

Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah, and you know, I like to Hussein Netty brought
up the idea of automatic qualifiers if the collegeotball playoff
where to expand you know where it's for conference championship weekend,
where it would be not just the one and the
two playing for the title, but also you know the
three and the six and the and the.

Speaker 4 (05:50):
Five and the four playing for you know, the other
two automatic qualifiers.

Speaker 1 (05:53):
I like that idea a lot. The whole schedule talk
with in this, you know, this is probably a conversation
for another day, mat because we probably do a whole
podcast on this. My whole thing is the SEC likes
to flex its schedule when they're required to play a
non conference powerful opponent, Like that is a requirement from
the SEC that they have to play a powerful opponent,

(06:15):
and you know then they they they want to put
up all this non conference all the stats like look
who we play, you know, look at all these non
con power forward teams we play when it's you know,
that's a requirement for them. Whereas Indiana, you know, all
the other Big ten schools, you know, they play an
extra you know that what would have been a non
con Power four game is already baked into their conference schedule.

(06:37):
So you know, this is I don't know what your
thoughts you have on it, Matt, you know whether you
want you you'd prefer to be eight conference games four
non con.

Speaker 4 (06:44):
Or nine and three.

Speaker 1 (06:46):
I really don't have a preference. But this whole beating
the chess thing that that that you know that a
lot of people that see like to do, I think
a lot of it is is sort of unfounded when
you sort of compare how how the things are the
two things are done, because I mean they are, you know,
required to play.

Speaker 4 (07:02):
A non Compower four team.

Speaker 1 (07:03):
So it's like to use that as a basis of
an argument is kind of you know, falls flat for me.

Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, And I mean, you know that obviously, Indiana took
some flak a week and a half, two weeks ago
whatever it was, for the whole Virginia thing, and it
happened after and I said, when it happened to Louisville
series should have never been scheduled. That was scheduled to
help basketball, not football. And I was on a couple
of radio shows recently and I said, the fan of
me kind of wishes that they would have kept the
Virginia series.

Speaker 3 (07:29):
But I totally understand. I see both points of view.
I'm not trying to straddle the fence.

Speaker 2 (07:32):
I see the point of view where you should you know,
but it's you're playing basically a tenth conference game when
you play Virginia. I don't care who it is, you
were playing a tenth conference game. And it doesn't make
sense if you're Indiana or really any other big tent school.
But I know there's some of them are going to
do it. You know, I think Ohio State's playing I
want to say, Texas, is that right in maybe Week
one or something like that. And I get that, but

(07:53):
I mean, you know, and I said this too, when
you're Indiana, you.

Speaker 3 (07:57):
Know you've got less margin for air. So I mean
you got to edge a little bit differently.

Speaker 2 (08:01):
Ohio State can lose that game to Texas, or two
lost Ohio State team can make it to the playoff. Now,
if they expand it, this will change. But right now,
but a two lost Indiana team's gonna have a hard
time making it to the playoff. They just are because
they're Indiana. It's just the way it is. So I mean,
I understand why they did it. And also I think
in two thousand, was it gonna be twenty seven or
twenty eight the year they were gonna go to Virginia,
They're gonna have six home games. You cannot have six

(08:23):
home games as a P five school or P four school,
You just you cannot. You have to have at least seven.
And the Big ten the way they do it, it's
four to one or five one year then four. You
know they alternate the home and away. So on that
year where you only got four home conference games, you've
got to schedule three home games. I mean, you just
you can't have one one less. That's just I mean, financially,
and also it's just a bad look, like for a

(08:45):
power for school, you should not be playing as many
times on the road as you are at home. So
I understand why they did it, you know, I get
why some fans may be upset, and like I said,
the fan of me that just a pure fan of
me would have liked to see them play it. But
I also think they did at the end of the day,
I think Scott Dolson and the administration made the right
decision by getting out of that and setting up a

(09:05):
schedule that is better for your football program.

Speaker 1 (09:09):
The other part of the Virginia series too, that was
sort of the basis for when Kurzignetti went on his
tangent at Big tim Media days. How I view the
Virginia games too, is unless Virginia has some kind of
miraculous turnaround within the next five years, you go into
Virginia and get a win, Like, does how much does
that really do for you in terms of you know,
public perception, you know, if Indiana were to be in

(09:30):
the CFP hunt, Like, is a selection committee really going
to look at, Hey, you guys want at Virginia as
like you know something that sets you over there? I
really don't think it would, you know, and someone had
brought this up. It's sort of a lose lose situation
for Indiana to even play that series is because you know, yeah,
you might get a road win, but what good does
it do you? And then you play them at home,
which playing any powerful opponent at home when you could

(09:52):
play you know, Indiana State, kannessas state. You know, just
like you said, it's the margin for error is a.

Speaker 4 (09:57):
Lot slimmer in that situation.

Speaker 1 (09:59):
So uh, you know, looking at this Virginia series and
the cancelation, same with the Louisville series, I have the
same thoughts. I mean, I think Indiana did what it
needed to do, and especially in this time and time
that it's in where it's still trying to build a program,
rack up as many ones as you can. It doesn't
matter how you get the ten wins, doesn't matter how
you get the nine wins, eight wins, whatever, Get as
many wing as you can.

Speaker 2 (10:21):
Yeah, I agree, And you know, if the Big ten
was at eight games, I would be all four playing
in Virginia, you know, Scheduling a Louisville schedule in the Cincinnati,
you know, something like that. But when you're at nine.
Like I said, you're playing a tenth conference game. The
one the one thing I did say about that is
and I still totally agree with dropping the Virginia game
for in Indiana, it does. This may sound weird, but

(10:42):
I think in some ways it makes it a little
bit harder to make the playoff because and when I
say that, I mean you have to beat when you
get in conference play, you're gonna have to basically beat
teams most weeks like you beat them last year.

Speaker 3 (10:53):
Like in Ohio State can have a close game, Michigan
can have a close game. But if you're playing you know,
Minnesota and nothing against Minnesota.

Speaker 2 (10:59):
But you're playing a peers cool and it's a close
game where you're like, all you know, maybe you're a
touchdown half favorite that you know that, I think it
puts more pressure on your comp games than it would
if you had that. But at the same time, I
totally agree with you beating a Virginia by.

Speaker 3 (11:13):
Two touchdowns, seventeen points, whatever it may be.

Speaker 2 (11:17):
Is that really much better than beating Charlotte or Old
Dominion or whoever's Kanasall State, whoever it may be, It's
not gonna be unless, like you said, Virginia really makes
leaps and bounds because right now, you know, they're they're
they're not a great program. I mean they're not you know,
bombed the barrel, but they're they're you know, they're they're rebuilding,
let's put it that way.

Speaker 3 (11:37):
So I totally agree.

Speaker 2 (11:38):
But I do think because it's Indiana and we saw
what happened last year, they took a ton of flak
because of their schedule. And I said on these radio things,
they can't help that Maryland was down. They can't help
the Mischigan State was not as good as everybody thought
they were going to be. You know, name another Big
ten program that you know that you know, Nebraska struggled
for a lot of the year.

Speaker 3 (11:56):
They you know, these teams are supposed to be better,
but they did flag for their.

Speaker 2 (12:00):
Non conference so to counteract that when they get into
Big ten play, and Signetti is gonna be this every week,
if he can beat somebody by forty, he's gonna try
to beat him by forty because he knows. For one,
he wants to because that's just the way he operates.
In two, he kind of has to. I mean, you
you you know, all schools need to get convincing wins.
But in Indiana, you really got to get convincing wins.

Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, and the other component two. And I hope you
know this is far off, but like Indiana has the
ability if it wants to to you know, say twenty
twenty nine, they want to add a P four.

Speaker 4 (12:29):
I know they have the Notre Dame on the schedule.

Speaker 1 (12:31):
But you know they can always swap out non con.

Speaker 4 (12:34):
Games if they want to get out of, you know,
certain games. So as we saw serious.

Speaker 1 (12:37):
So it's not like these games are locked in. You know,
these games that are scheduled four years from now are
locked in totally because we've seen the Indiana can you know,
sort of be amendable on that front. So that's all
schedule talk I wanted to hit on for now.

Speaker 4 (12:50):
I'm Matt.

Speaker 1 (12:50):
We can we can always do more on that later.
Other news from Big ten media days, there wasn't a
whole lot of roster team news that come from media days,
but this is a good segue into fall camp. Chris
and Netty announced that Marion knighton the cornerback transfer from
Northern Illinois. He should be back healthy for the fall.
He was out for most of spring camp with an injury.

(13:10):
And then Drew Evans, who started the first half of
the season last season granted out as Indy in his
past best pass blocker last year, he should be ready
to go for fall camp as well. So promising news
on both fronts from those guys. Matt, I guess it's
a good segue into our fall camp discussion. But let's
let's start with those two guys. Just any thoughts on
what they might be able to provide this fall.

Speaker 2 (13:32):
Yeah, I mean Knighton, he obviously came in from northern Illinois,
and that, to me, you could argue that cornerbacks the best.
When I say best, I'm talking like as far as
depth and talent.

Speaker 3 (13:45):
You've got four starters at cornerback.

Speaker 2 (13:47):
You know, and obviously when you go position, when you
compare positions, it's not apple samples because you know, at
some positions you're you want to start one guy, and
you at quarterback you're only have three or four guys.
Offensive line you have thirteen, fourteen whatever, maybe, but you've
got four guys that in most years in Indiana would
be starters.

Speaker 3 (14:04):
And Gandy Knighton, D'Angelo Pons and.

Speaker 2 (14:07):
Then Chamorrow Sharp was really you know, kudos to that guy,
because most guys in his position would have bailed after
they brought in the transfers, and he stuck around and
from all accounts, had a great spring, looked good.

Speaker 3 (14:18):
It was a starter in the spring game.

Speaker 2 (14:19):
I know they were, you know, shuffling things around and
not playing guys a lot. But I won't be shocked
if he's out there. D'Angelo pons week one and one
of the starty corners. So and then to me, the
Drew Evans movies was a very very pleasant surprise because
I figured he would be limited probably at least I
don't know, two three four weeks into the season with
that injury. The fact that he's kind of pretty much

(14:41):
cleared to go, I know they said, I think Sinnetti
said he was gonna be someone on a snap count,
so to speak.

Speaker 3 (14:47):
But that is huge news.

Speaker 2 (14:48):
I mean, you mentioned it, he was he was, you
know obviously last year had a great season that nobody expected,
was playing really well. And all of this wasn't just
because he got hurt, but obviously the old line started
to struggle a little bit. Now, some of it was
they played Michigan's D line, then they played Ohio State,
they played Notre Dame three of the last four weeks

(15:09):
whatever it was, so that was part of it, but
it was that was a big loss for that for
that old line.

Speaker 3 (15:14):
Now, I mean to me, you've got six guys for
five six starters for five spots, and there's the competitions,
and then you add in the young guys of Johnny
leep Fried, some of these young guys, you know, they've
they should have really good depth.

Speaker 2 (15:28):
I'm really interested to see this old line. I think
it's gonna it was strong last year. I think it's
gonna be even stronger this year. And that Evans news,
Like I said, I was a little bit I don't
want to say shock, but kind of just because you know,
you think about an Achilles. I thought it would be
almost mid season before he'd be back. So huge, huge
news for the old line.

Speaker 1 (15:45):
Yeah, you know, not just any Achilles injury, but there's
like a you know, three hundred and whatever fifteen pound
guy you know needs is to explode off his back feet.
So that was definitely pleasant news. I do wonder what
the offensive line, you know, those first three weeks to season.
Now this is where the non conference, you know, Indiana
sort of having a weaker non conference schedule works in
their favor because it allows a guy like Drew Evans

(16:06):
to ease his way back in. So I could see
a scenario where where Bob bostaid he might you know,
rotate guys in there, you know, maybe maybe him, Drew
Evens and Clil Benson or somebody else split snaps at
the guard spot the first three games, and then once
they get into Big ten play, you know, then you
could see you know, someone really take over there.

Speaker 3 (16:24):
So and real quick on that, I thought. On Benson,
I thought it was interesting that Christinetti had big TI
media is volunteered, you know, like he came out and said, yeah,
he played right tackle under coach Boasted when he was
here before. So I thought that, I'm not saying that's
where he's gonna be, but I thought it was interesting.
Nobody even asked him. He just kind of like volunteered
that when he was talking about uh, Kaleil Benson, you know,

(16:44):
his addition, so you know, maybe he's going to be
more in the mixed at right tackle than then. You know,
I thought I wouldn't be surprised, but I just I
thought that was a little interesting that he himself kind
of just brought that up out of the blue that
he was the right tackle beforehand.

Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah. Yeah, I thought that was interesting too. And so
you know that leaves a because I think a lot
of people at Zam Mahawski, h know, penciled in at
right tackle. So if if Indiana feels that maybe Benson
is better best suited for tackle, that could be interesting. Uh,
you know, a position battle that we we you know,
hadn't foreseen going into fall camp.

Speaker 2 (17:15):
Yeah, and when obviously in the spring we don't have
any idea because Benson was out and make Mihowski was
at right tackle. So we don't know if that but
it's it's gonna be. That's gonna be one of the
things that we're being really interesting. You know on Wednesday,
where's he lining up at when they get up when
they come out on the field.

Speaker 1 (17:29):
Yeah, the other guy that you know staying on the
offensive line before we move on. I am really intrigued
by Anamolo Johnny. You know, he ran with the first
team offense in the spring, got a ton of really
really important reps there with.

Speaker 4 (17:41):
With Benson out, with.

Speaker 1 (17:43):
Drew Evans out, so uh, you know, all those first
team reps that he got in the spring, I think
are gonna you know, translate or at least, you know,
be very helpful, uh, you know, as he gets into
fall camp. And I wouldn't be surprised if Bob Bostad
also tries to get him in the rotation somewhat as well,
because you know, Bostad really likes getting young guys in
there that he can develop, you know, over multiple years.
And with how senior late in this offensive line is

(18:05):
at least the top group is, you know, it would
it would't surprise me it both said, tries to get
the you know, a couple of young guys in there
as much as he can.

Speaker 3 (18:13):
Yeah, I agree, And I'll also be you know, Austin
leave Fried came in with recruit as a tackle, but
basically just played guard last year.

Speaker 2 (18:21):
I'll be interested to see if if he is, if
he's getting the snaps to tackle or if he if
he's if that was just more of a one year
to y'all. But a Johnny is a guy that he
pos a speedway, you know, not a huge football program
in this state, but always had a ton of ability.
And he's a guy, like you said, I mean, you're
gonna lose Cougan at center.

Speaker 3 (18:40):
If you you know, you get if you depend on
who the other guards are.

Speaker 2 (18:43):
But you have Benson and let and I'm sorry Drew
Evans and bray Lynch back at guard. But I think,
you know, one of those guys next year possibly moves
into center after Cougan graduates. So there's an opening at
guard and that Johnny could be the front runner to
take that spot. You will see how it plays out,
and that's obviously a year away. But get I'm with you.
These first three games should be a tremendous opportunity at

(19:07):
on the old line at all positions, but the old
line especially to get a lot of these young guys,
you know, Evan Lawrence, you know, guys that we haven't
really talked about yet. To get these guys some playing time,
uh MIT's verstige and you know some of these guys
that didn't get any snatch last year to get there,
you know, and obviously going against old dominion.

Speaker 3 (19:24):
Kanisall state, Indiana state.

Speaker 2 (19:26):
It's not big ten, but still the speed, the physicality
is going to be a step up from what they
did in high school. So yeah, I wish you. I'm
really excited to see Johnny. I think he's got a
really bright future, has a chance to be a heck
of a player.

Speaker 1 (19:38):
And you know Carter Smith, who's been getting a little
bit of an NFL draft buzz here this offseason, so true,
he could he could also be another guy you have
to replace. So yeah, big season half the offensive line.
I think we're both in agreement that it could be
even better than it was last year for the Hoosiers.
All right, Matt, let's start at you know, the one
guy everybody wanted to talk about at Big Ten media
days and really all off season. Fernando Mendoz was a

(20:00):
uh you know, obviously none of his teamates are gonna
say aything bad about him, but you know, just glowing
reviews from Churts Signetti, glowing reviews from Elijas Surrat. It
seems like, you know, he's really come in and put
in the work to to learn this offense and to
you know, build that chemistry with the receivers room. You know,
I've been really high on them all off season, and
you know, everything that's come out since since he signed

(20:22):
with Indiana December, you know, has his only you know,
maintained that for me, uh, you know, he has all
the tools what to see on the field. Kurtzignetti though
his track record with transfer quarterbacks, I mean, you just
it's so hard to overlook how successful he has been
with getting these guys in and successful.

Speaker 3 (20:40):
Yeah, I think he's gonna have a huge season.

Speaker 2 (20:42):
And I you know, Curtis work is phenomenal last year
and especially when you you know, and I know you
did something on it afterwards, because I just try to
talk about he was playing on one leg.

Speaker 3 (20:52):
The players didn't even know it, and he was he
was so good last year.

Speaker 2 (20:57):
But uh, Mendoza, you know, Netty said, a little bit
strounder arm and then he's more He's obviously more mobile,
and I think he was probably more mobile even if
Rorke has got too healthy knees.

Speaker 3 (21:07):
So it'll be in I think. I think the biggest
thing with.

Speaker 2 (21:09):
With Mendoza that they probably are have been working on
in the spring and in the fall camp. You know,
he got his brains beat in last year at col
I think he was sacked around forty times, probably hit
almost as many times.

Speaker 3 (21:21):
So there's probably a little bit of you know, in
his mind.

Speaker 2 (21:24):
If that first guy's not open, he's probably automatically thinking, Okay,
I gotta get out of here because I'm gonna get sacked,
I'm gonna get hit, and I think with this old
line he's gonna find you know what, I'm gonna have
time to go through a few progressions before I need
to start thinking about, you know, escape in the pocket.
So that's probably the biggest thing that I got to cope.
But everything else is there. I mean, the arm strength
to touch, the accuracy, you know, the one thing that

(21:47):
being at cow and having to run around so much.
He is an outstanding passer on the move like that's
that is not easy to do going either way too.
A lot of guys can throw go onder their their
arm side, but going to the left where you've got
to kind of get those feet set and you got
to get your hips right and everything.

Speaker 3 (22:02):
He is really really good at that. And an obeiters
to see even you know they had this go on.

Speaker 2 (22:07):
But do you do some rollout things where you put
him out in space and you making defense have to decide, okay,
we're gonna come after him, because if we don't, he
could run or you know, we're gonna sit back and
and everything. So and you know we haven't talked about,
but he's gonna have tons of weapons. I mean, the
skill position in Indiana is just loaded with talent. But yeah,
I'm really excited to see Forernando mendo I think he's
gonna have a huge year.

Speaker 3 (22:27):
I know he's getting a lot of NFL buzz. He's
got to prove it on the field.

Speaker 2 (22:30):
But I think, excuse me, I think he is gonna
have as good or he probably better season than worked
in last year, which which is saying something because Rourke
was arguably top two or three quarterback in the conference
and one of the best in the country.

Speaker 1 (22:43):
At Big tim meety Days, somebody asked Elijah Shurratt, like,
what was your wow moment that you saw from Vernanda
Mendoza the spring, And he said it wasn't even a
pass play. He said, you know, the play broke down
or something and Mendoza took it for a sixty yard
run down the sideline. And I thought that was very telling.
You know, he could have you could have said anything, Surat,
could have you know, any kind of throwing play, but

(23:04):
he you know, he called out Mendoza's legs, and I'm
with you. I think this offense, especially I think it's
getting overlooked how much more complex this offense is gonna
be able to be with Mendoza. You know, Mike Shanahan
last year, you know, let's be honest, he's probably handcuffed
with a lot of things he could do because of
Curtis Rourke. H Curtis Roke's a c L injury. I
think this year you're gonna see a lot more you know,

(23:26):
design rollouts. You know, even in games like last year
Matt with Ohio State, with Michigan, with Notre Dame, when
their defenses were so you know, stout up front, you know,
they couldn't really roll out of the pocket or move
the pocket. I think this year, against those type of defenses,
you're gonna be able to get more of those looks
with Mendoza. And I think, you know, if Indiana can
really work those in, you have a chance to stay

(23:48):
in some of these games that you know, you know,
maybe last year they didn't have that chance.

Speaker 3 (23:51):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (23:52):
The other thing, and I don't think they'll do it
a ton because I don't think you want to put
them in harms way a lot. But you know, how
many how much kind of like the Reid option, do
you run where he can keep the ball. I mean,
I think Rourke last year, you probably I mean maybe
two or three times, and you know.

Speaker 3 (24:05):
It didn't it was on Now.

Speaker 2 (24:07):
The one thing Curtis Rok was very good at was
getting yard when things broke down, getting you know, feeling
the pressure and getting five six yards.

Speaker 3 (24:13):
But you know that those those great options.

Speaker 2 (24:16):
You know, maybe you do it when you've got like
a third and one or third and two, you know,
something where you need a big first down or you're
down at the goal line. You know, obviously everybody remembers
when Peyton rams against Purdue and overtime when they won
the game. I mean, that play can be really effective
down there. It was short where you're kind of compacted
and everything. So I don't think you do it a
ton because I don't think he want him to take

(24:37):
a bunch of hits. But it could be something where,
you know what it's key part of the game. You know,
you're maybe you're at Oregon, you're in a tight game
and you're driving down the field and you need a
first down. He keeps it, gets you that first down
and keeps the chains moving. So that's one thing I'm
kind of interested in seeing is how do they utilize
his legs, like you said, moving the pocket, getting him
out of the pocket, doing things where he's in space.

(24:58):
Like you didn't really want Rourke in space. She wanted
him inside those tackles with that protection with Mendoza, you
obviously want him in there as much as possible, but
you also can move him out around and let him
make some plays and put so much stress on on
the defense.

Speaker 3 (25:11):
So it's gonna be interesting.

Speaker 2 (25:12):
Obviously, we're not going to probably see a lot the
first few weeks in the season, first few games, because
you're not you know, we've seen it. It's gonna be
fairly vanilla and hopefully you know, but Illinois could be
that first week where we really start to see some
stuff that maybe you know, it'll be a little bit
different from last year with how they're using the QB.

Speaker 1 (25:29):
All right, let's get into the scope positions here. You know,
we did our whole position preview, very touchdown the running backs,
the wider season tight ends. You can pick a choose
where you want to go with this map, but running
back obviously a lot to be excited there with him
be Kaylon Black and lead BB wide receiver tons of
options there. E J. Williams. Hopefully he can stay healthy
all year. The slot receiver, excuse me, the slot receiver

(25:51):
position I'm pretty intrigued by with Makai Jackson and Jonathan
Brady tight end. You know, we don't really know what
we're gonna get there with from from from Holden States,
but he could be a huge factor there. You can
bounce around that however you want to take it.

Speaker 3 (26:03):
But skill positions, yeah, I'll start running back, and I
know I on the depth Stark and I had Keilon
Black as a starter because that's what that's who started.
That's who started. He was a starter in the spring game.
To me, it's that's one of those positions. I don't
think it matters who starts. You saw last week.

Speaker 2 (26:18):
We saw last year Justin Ellison and Tyson Lotten where
I don't know if they were exactly even, but they
were pretty close in carries. But the top two guys,
and I think I think the third guy this year,
Black was a little bit banged up. He had a
hamstring early in the season. I think the third guy,
I'll get a few more carries maybe Black got last year,
but I don't think I think I think ken Be
is going to be a monster turned out to be
a monster. Addition, he's probably and I've said this in

(26:39):
some stories, I think he's the most expulsive running back
they've had since Tevin Coleman.

Speaker 3 (26:44):
I mean, we've seen it.

Speaker 2 (26:44):
The other thing is he's at one hundred and I
want to say, one hundred and eleven catches the last
three years as a running back. The other thing I
looked up him, Black, and BBI have all had more
catches individually in one season than Lawton and Elson had
combined last year. A lot else come mine for like
twenty five catches. All three of those guys that had
more than that in an individual season. To me, that's
a big deal. I know says I throw the ball

(27:07):
the running backs, Well, now you've got three guys who
can really catch the ball. And him Be, especially what
he's done, it's gonna be a nightmare for defenses to cover.
So you know, I think I think those are the
top three guys. Obviously, I thought BB looked terrific. I
thought all three of that looked great in the spring game.
I thought Black was really good. I mean, he he
looked like a guy who's been in the system for

(27:28):
what four or five years, So I think that that
is a position they didn't They didn't rebuild, they reloaded
big time, and I think arguably you could say it
as good as those guys were last year, that may
be stronger this year.

Speaker 1 (27:41):
All right, wide receiver, tight end, I guess we can
kind of combine the two there. The one guy I'm
really interested in is E. J. Williams at receiver. I
just think he has game changing potential if he can
stay in the field. Obviously that has not been his
strong suit over the years. You know what you're gonna
get from a love of Stroute, you know what you're
gonna get from Omar Cooper Junior. Like I mentioned, with
the slot guys, you still don't really know what you're

(28:03):
gonna get there, but they have a lot of proof production.
And then at tight end, Holden Staates, Riley and Kowski
the top two guys. There any thoughts on on either
of those two vision groups?

Speaker 2 (28:11):
Yeah, I mean at receiver, I know in my depth
charge I think I put Cooper in the slide. The
reason why is Brady hadn't been on the team yet.
He came obviously after spring ball. I can see him
being the starter. I just did that because I think
the three best receivers on this team are, in no
particular order, Elijah surat, Omar Cooper and E. J.

Speaker 3 (28:27):
Williams.

Speaker 2 (28:28):
And I know Williams doesn't play any time. I think
he's the most physically gifted receiver. I think he's a
prototypical NFL guy if he can stay healthy. But that's
been he's not been able to do it. The best
ability is availability, and he's just not being able to
stay on the field. But I mean Cooper could play
in or out. Williams and Thron are probably more outside guys.
Brady brings obviously that connection, and I'm really interested. I
know you've talked about Lebron Bond had a touchdown catch

(28:51):
in the spring. He's a guy they're really high on.
You know, another guy is not getting talked about. But
Charlie Becker, I think is gonna be a guy who's
gonna have a sneaky good man. May not have a
ton of catches because the guy's in front of him,
but I think he's gonna make some.

Speaker 3 (29:03):
He's gonna have some good some good moments for this team.

Speaker 2 (29:06):
So and then at tight end, I mean Zach Cord
is such a huge, you know, huge shoes to replace,
but Holden State is you know, I mean, you uh
go back to maybe hender Shot a guy who gives
you that kind of receiving threat, especially down the scene.
He's a big athletic guy. And then Noah Kawsk I
think he's gonna be a fan favorite. Not the prototypical guy.

(29:27):
But you know, Signatty talked about him back in the spring.
He's a tough dude. You know, he started linebacker walk
on at Wisconsin, moved to tight end, so you know,
I like the the only my only concern about tight
end I've said this.

Speaker 3 (29:39):
You know you've got five there.

Speaker 2 (29:41):
If one of those top two or three guys goes down,
you're gonna have to play and Andrew Barker or a
Blake Dry and Barker came in the spring.

Speaker 3 (29:49):
I I think I think probably Barker. This is just
me guessing. I think he gets some decent.

Speaker 2 (29:54):
Snaps in those first three games, Like in this you
know when they when they start playing some subs just
so they can have him right in case he's got
to play, because unless there's some kind of position change
or somebody we don't know about that.

Speaker 3 (30:05):
That is a little bit of a thin pit, and
I think it's talented. But if a guy goes down,
you know, you are in a bit of a pickle
as far as you know, you're gonna have to play
a true freshman at least a little bit.

Speaker 1 (30:16):
And you know that that's something that got overlooked I
think a little bit in the offseason. Two was the
amount of attrition that happened at tight end because they
lost like what like three or four to the Portal.
You know, Sam West was a guy who was you know,
he went through all of spring camp and he was
it seemed like they're pretty high on him. He transferred
out at the end of spring camp. You know, so

(30:36):
if one of those guys would have stayed, you know,
like you were saying with Barker, they might have a
shot here to play, you know, a lot more than
his anticipated. So I thought that, you know that the
attrition there did doesn't help obviously, but it could mean
you know, some more accelerated development for these true freshmen
coming in.

Speaker 3 (30:52):
Yeah, and it probably doesn't help.

Speaker 2 (30:53):
I mean, the tight end position in this offense, they
use it, but they don't play you know, it wasn't.
They did place some two tight ends last year obvious
to the and they had to move Uh Kim remember
his name, the guy that Tyler Stevens.

Speaker 3 (31:04):
They played him?

Speaker 2 (31:05):
I remember, I think it was UCLA the first week
they put a tight end number on him. But you know,
I it's you know, I think West was probably they
brought these guys in and he thought, well, I'm probably
third or fourth on the depth chart.

Speaker 3 (31:15):
And I get it.

Speaker 2 (31:16):
Brody Coasten was a true freshman that transferred out, and
uh there's one, Oh, Brody Foley I think also also left.
You know, so I get it, But it's you know,
I think it's a good position. It's just if you
have an injury, you're gonna probably need one of those
freshmen to at least give you a handful of snaps
a game.

Speaker 1 (31:34):
All right. I Before we move on to the defense, Matt, offensively,
is there anywhere any spot on the offense that you
know you still have you know, maybe the most glaring
questions about at this point, and then where are you
most comfortable at with this offense? Well?

Speaker 2 (31:49):
I would say, I mean I think quarterback. You obviously
got a stud in Mendoz. I think we all think
he's going to be a stud, and he was. He
was very very good last year. My question is if
he go if you have a situation last year where
you Rourkey losing for a game, game and a half,
whatever it was. You know, right now, it looks like
his brother Alberto's the backup, and he looked great in
the spring game.

Speaker 3 (32:07):
But how does he look if he has to play
and the bullets.

Speaker 2 (32:10):
Are real, you know what I mean, he's playing in
a big ten game against you know, whoever it may be.
How does he how does he look because it looks
like he's leap frogged Grant Wilson, who is the guy
they brought in, you know, to be I look to
me like he was going to be the backup. It
kind of be that veteran backup. But Mendoza out played
him in the spring obviously as the backup. So I
would say it's a concern, but you're just there's some

(32:31):
questions there. I think the position I feel best about,
and remember what I did a position ranking, was it?
I think I had wide receiver first on offense, I
think it was wide receiver. But to me, wide receiver,
I mean maybe if I had to nit pick that position.
Could you could you maybe could you add one more guy,

(32:51):
one more experienced guy. But if you look at their
basically where they were last, YE think they got five
experienced guys and then some young ones. So I think
that's that's where I feel the best about. And I
don't feel bad about quarterback. I just have questions if
Mendoza would have to miss any time, you know, what
does it look like, because you know, I think people
overlook Tavin Jackson was an experienced player that was a
luxury that they don't have this year at that at

(33:13):
the most important position on the field.

Speaker 1 (33:16):
One guy I wanted to talk about for a second here,
Matt holden Stace. I'm really intrigued by him. He's sort
of a missed like super mysterious, Like we didn't hear
about him at all in the spring. We saw him
obviously play in the spring game. Didn't hear about him
in all the big ten media days. You know, I
think what it was he like the number ten to
his top ten ranked transfer tight end. Like he's a
guy coming in with a ton of pedigree behind him.

(33:37):
He's played at good school at Notre Dame in Tennessee.
Looks like he's going to be Indiana's top receiving threat
at tight end, and we know how valuable that can
be in an Indiana in a Mike Shanahan Krizignetti offense.
But we just haven't heard about him, and you know,
maybe Indiana wants it to be that way. It's sort
of a you know, take guys, take teams by surprise
that we haven't talked about him. I am a little

(34:00):
shock that we haven't heard more about him if he was,
you know, doing so well in the spring. But you
know that again, he he might be a guy that
just comes in under the radar that other teams aren't
really game planning for, and he could really open up
Indiana's offense.

Speaker 3 (34:12):
Yeah, especially over the middle of the field.

Speaker 2 (34:14):
You know when you watch him with his highlights at Tennessee,
he had some nice catches down the seam and big
athletic guy. Long I remember he jogged by me and
spring practice when they were inside the stadium and he's
he looks the part.

Speaker 3 (34:27):
I mean, he's got he's got long arms, athletic guy.

Speaker 2 (34:31):
So yeah, I'm intrigued by him too, And you know,
maybe with a no you know Horton had to block
a lot last year. Yeah, I think you could have
thrown the ball to Hoharton Moore, but he just his
his role last year. They wanted him to be kind
of like that sixth oer linement. Maybe with the Mkowski
you can use Stace More and that kind of, you know, helps,
Maybe you can even put him in the slot a
little bit, kind of split him out a little bit
like a wide out. But I'm I'm intrigued too because

(34:53):
it's it's another big target and he maybe that guy
on third and five that Mendoz is looking for over
the middle of the field to get those first downs.
But I'm with you, I'm really interested to see the
progress and how much he's involved in the passing game
this fall.

Speaker 1 (35:07):
To the defense here, Matt, we'll start defensive line front seven.
Mikal Kamara. We heard him from him at Big ten
Media Days, getting him back. We know how big he is.
All American preseason All American. He's moving from the shrunk
side defensive end to the stud roll. But aside from him,
you got a lot of new faces there. Josea Wheeler
coming in, Dominique Gratcliffe coming in at DT you know,
the IU staff is really high on Tyreek Tucker to

(35:29):
you know, step up and make an impact this year,
the spring of the spring editions of Stephen daily Hell
and Wyatt. Those guys also are you know, projected to
play key roles at defensive end, off the edge as
well startled the defensive line. Matt, what are your thoughts
going into ball camp on those guys?

Speaker 2 (35:43):
Well, I mean, obviously the defensive tackle position was so
good last year with James Carpenter and CJ. West, and
they brought in two experienced guys, but they've got to
go out. You know, I think Jose Wheeler is a
guy that's really intriguing. I'm you know, I'm wondering if
he could be like this year CJ. West, where it
comes in a little bit under the radar, a G
five guy obviously play been playing at a better program

(36:06):
than what CJ. West was at at Kent State there
at Western Kentucky. But you know, could he be a
guy that jumps and really goes from a guy that
you know, maybe people don't know a lot about. He's
being talked about, you know, his NFL draft pick. You know,
to me, the X factor at least on the inside.
You know, Tyree Tucker I think was one of the
higher rated by PFF guys that Indiana had. You feel

(36:27):
like Ratcliffe and Wheeler can step in and give you
dependable play. But Mario Landino played on the edge last year.
You know how much weight does he put on? And
can he be that kind of fourth guy because I mean,
you know, you haven't really got anything out of Jamari
Monet And then after that you've got some young guys
with promise, but they're young, so you kind of need
that fourth guy. Can he be that fourth guy? And
then on the edge Kamara played what was it the

(36:52):
stud that stud position uh in the past?

Speaker 3 (36:54):
The JAMU.

Speaker 2 (36:55):
He's pretty much a strong side last year, so I
don't think it's going to be a big, you know, transition,
but you are taking away he was, I mean unbelievable
on that one side all last year. So you know,
can can Stephen Daily you know, another Kent State transfer
in Kell and Wyatt? Can they kind of can they
you know, they're I don't think either one of them
individually is going to make up his production, but combined,

(37:16):
can they kind of can they kind of you know,
do what he did last year.

Speaker 3 (37:20):
And then another kind of guy X factor for me
is Daniel and Dukeway.

Speaker 2 (37:23):
I mean, he blocked what two three punts last year
and I know it's not but he showed his explosiveness.
He's two hundred and thirty pounds last year, thirty two
hundred and thirty five. You know, is he up in
that round two fifty range? And can he give Kamara
a blow every now and then? Or if they maybe
if they move Kamara inside, if you're in a pass
or situation, then you put in Duke Way at that

(37:43):
stunt position.

Speaker 3 (37:44):
You know, how does he do?

Speaker 2 (37:45):
And then this wasn't really talked about, but Quentin Clark
was playing edge in the spring game. Now he's two
hundred and twelve pounds on the roster. My guess is
he's quite a bit bigger than that. I expect him
to be at d End this fall when once they
update the But what can he give them him?

Speaker 3 (38:02):
He's got some really quick twitch and I.

Speaker 2 (38:04):
Know he's a young guy who hasn't played at that position,
but he's a guy that maybe you know, could get
in the mix. And then the young guys, I know,
Abram and Burris came in the summertime. But Dan, I
think is a position where it's a little bit easier
to get on the fields early than it is at
D tackle, just because you know D tackle, I mean
you're you're in the scrum, you're in the middle, and

(38:24):
you know you're playing against d n You know you
can get away with maybe not being up to the
size you quite need to be, just you know, if
you're and Abram especially was a terrific pass rusher in
high school. So I think it's a I think it's
a strong position. It's just until you see some of
these guys that we haven't seen. It was like last year,
we hadn't seen CJ. West, we han't seen James Carpenter,
Tyreek Tucker. We didn't know how they would do, and

(38:47):
they turned out to be pretty good. Pat Coots and
Buddha Williams are terrific at coaching guys up, and I
think they'll do it again this year.

Speaker 1 (38:54):
One guy too, that you know, I think he's gone
kind of under the radar to Mario Landino for a
true freshman to exceed the the you know, the four
game retcher maximum as a defensive lineman in the Big Ten,
that speaks a lot to what the staff thinks he's
capable of. Now, I know, Matt, you you know, you're
sort of in between on where he might ultimately end up,
whether it's you know, inside or off the edge. But

(39:17):
I think he's, you know, he's a guy that that
you know, obviously, the Indian staff is really high on
and I would not be shocked if he makes makes
his way into the versation now. Right now, it looks like,
you know, a lot of the different spots in the
D line are pretty crowded, so where does he fit
in there? But you know the fact that the Indiana
staff was you know, so comfortable and trusted him enough
to play last year on the D line at whatever

(39:38):
he was, like two hundred and sixty pounds or whatever
it was that they trusted him last year makes me
think that they're going to go into this year with
a lot more confidence in him as well.

Speaker 2 (39:47):
Yeah, and I think the plane is the vibe I've
gotten is that they play on playing them inside. But
he does give you a guy, even if he's put
on a little bit of weight, where you could probably
play him, especially if you're playing a team that's that
you're playing in Iowa you know what I mean, Like
you could play him at that you wanted to play four,
you know, you want to kind of have four run,
bigger guys on the line. You know, maybe you could
play him some of it at that edge position, but

(40:07):
I think the playing is for him to go inside
and play that, you know, rotate at that three tech
spot and being there. But yeah, he was you know,
eve though he didn't play a ton, I thought he
was pretty effective and he really showed a lot of
promise and especially you know, he was recruited to be
a D tackle and I think that's where he'll be
this year, but I think there is some flexibility and
a guy I'm not saying he'll play this year, but

(40:27):
a guy who has the same kind of skill set
Keishan Calhoun, who was here in the spring, you know,
played both edge and tackle in high school. Recruited more
as a D tackle, but could see early on some
snaps on the edge until he gets a little bit bigger.
So they they've got there's a lot of nice pieces
on the st line, you know, for for value program.

(40:47):
I mean, like I said, kots and Buddha Williams have
done a great job and obviously down the road. The
recruiting they've done in the twenty six class is just spectacular.
So but they they've done a really good job of
of re of reloading on this D line, and they
lost quite a bit. I mean there was quite a
bit attrition and really good players in some depth guys.
So I think I think they'll be fine. Obviously, injuries

(41:09):
are going to be or lack of injuries are going
to be important. But if they stay healthy, I think
this will be a strong group.

Speaker 4 (41:14):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (41:15):
My my biggest question here I think might be my
biggest question on the entire team rosters.

Speaker 4 (41:20):
I look at it right now.

Speaker 1 (41:21):
I think people are under selling a lot. I don't
want to you know, I don't want to say everybody,
but I think there's a lot of portion of the
fan base that's under selling how valuable CJ. West and
James Carpenter. Like, those two guys played, you know what,
ninety five percent of the snaps at DT, which you know,
playing in the trenches in the Big ten is not easy.
And those guys who got after every single play, they

(41:42):
were so disruptive. You know, maybe if you can get
a Jose Wheeler and Dominic Gradcliffe to sort of combine
for to to master production. You know, even that would
be tremendous. But to find a guy like C. J. West,
who was a fifth round pick, you know, he was
able to get after the quarterback, he was able to
stop stop the run like those kind of defect tackles,
especially one year transfers.

Speaker 4 (42:02):
Uh are you and far between?

Speaker 1 (42:04):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (42:04):
I agree, And that's why I say I think they've
got some guys who can who can do a solid job,
but until we see it, we don't know. And also
Tyreek Tucker was really good last year, but it was
an obviously more of a limited role. You know, he rotated,
and you know if he if he if there's more
on his plate this year, you know, can he maintain that?
I think he's got a chance. He You know, he
was a guy that wanted all these jam you guys

(42:24):
under recruited, nobody really want them. Probably doesn't fit the
stereotype of the interior guy as far as size, but
it was a terrific player last year.

Speaker 3 (42:33):
So you know, the.

Speaker 2 (42:33):
Guys like that, guys who are guys who maybe haven't
had to step up at this level or or or
have a big this big of a role or we're
gonna find out, you know, how good they are. But
you know, like I said, I think they've got I
think they've got good players. But I'm with you, it's
still I'm still kind of in a little bit of
wait and see because I want to see it out
on the field. And obviously the first three weeks, I
mean you'll see it some. But when they play Illinois,

(42:55):
that's gonna be a physical team. Brett Bielam. The teams
are physical, they're gonna run the ball. We're gonna find
and then you go that you play Iowa the week after,
so they're gonna find out the first two weeks of
the Big Ten. Excuse me, how physical and how effected
these guys can be.

Speaker 1 (43:09):
All right, let's let's move on to linebacker here. This
is pretty straightforward group. Get Aiden Fisher back preseason All American.
He is the Big Tens leading uh, the Big Tens
leading returning tackler from a season ago. I think I
had in my prediction. I think he's going to lead
the Big Ten and tackles this year, which would probably
put him on pace to win the Linebacker of the
Year award, which you know, Indiana has been something of

(43:32):
a linebacker factory here the past couple of years, even
you know, going back to Tom Allen, they producing really
good linebackers. So Aiden Fisher figures to be in that
mix once he graduates after this season. Next to him,
I think, you know a guy that a lot of
fans are very excited about this year with Elijah Hardy,
true sophomore. You know, Aiden Fisher said in the spring
that guy just has a nose for the ball. We

(43:52):
saw it last year with a pick six in the
spring game, he had a pick six. Roger Hardy just
really flies around the field. Now, it's gonna be tough
to replace Jalen Walker, but you know, Hardy's a guy
that you know, he has all the skill sets.

Speaker 4 (44:03):
You know that I think he can do so.

Speaker 1 (44:05):
And then behind them get Isaiah Jones is a veteran
Kayden Turner who the upperclassman hasn't played a whole time,
but he should be capable in a backup role, you know.
And then some younger guys behind them, Matt Aidan Fisher
obviously a huge deal to have him on the field,
but Relijah Hardy is probably the one guy that you know,
everyone's really excited to see yeah.

Speaker 2 (44:23):
I think if you're gonna listen to X factors on
the team, I think he'd be an X factor. You
know what you're gonna get from Aidan Fisher. I think
Hardy's going to be fine. I mean, everybody you know,
Jalen Walker was such an important part of this defense
with his ability to run sideline a sideline in the
athletic plays he could make. Hardy's probably not on the
same level as him as an athlete, but I mean
he's still an athletic guy and.

Speaker 3 (44:42):
We've seen it.

Speaker 2 (44:43):
I mean the interception he made in the spring game
that he took back, that some of the plays he
made last year. This is a guy that has good
ball skills and can run. This is probably my most
concerning position on the roster. And it's funny to say
that because you have an All American back and Aidan
Fisher and are really promising him player and Hardy. The
problem is that just the depth is really thin here.

(45:03):
And if Clark is moved to d M, which is
what my expectation, who knows, maybe they changed their mind
on that and they leave him at linebacker.

Speaker 3 (45:12):
But every indication I got is he was going to
be moved and he was in the spring.

Speaker 2 (45:17):
You've really only got one guy who's seen substantial playing
time in Isaiah Joneson. He's he's a he's a quality
player who played well last year for him. Kiton Turner
has not played basically anything but special teams in two years.
And then you got a couple of freshmen. Amari Kamara,
you know McCall's younger brother who signed, you know, they
got him late. And then Paul PJ. Nelson from Cincinnati.

(45:40):
Nelson was here in the spring. And they also had
another freshman actually in the spring, Jamori Farmer, but he
went to the portal after spring Balluh.

Speaker 3 (45:49):
But Nelson may be a guy.

Speaker 2 (45:50):
This could be a situation like tight end where you're
gonna have to get him some snaps early on so
that if he needs to get playing time.

Speaker 3 (45:57):
My my prediction is Paul Nelson does not red shirt.

Speaker 2 (46:00):
I think he probably plays on special teams and they
get him and he gets maybe a similar situation, not
quite a similar situation to Hardy where he gets some
snaps here and there as the season goes on, maybe
he's getting a few more snaps because I just think
you're gonna have to have that fourth guy.

Speaker 3 (46:14):
You've got three and now maybe Kateen Turner is a
fourth guy.

Speaker 2 (46:17):
But if he's not, then I think my money is
that Paul Neilson gets some gets gets a run there
at linebacker. But I think at the top you're really strong.
It's just can you develop depth behind him? And can
you stay avoid injuries in a position where there's a
lot of contact.

Speaker 1 (46:31):
Yeah, yeah, that's very fair. Yeah you need Fisher and
Harty just sta healthy all year otherwise they could get
pretty dicey there. That that's sort of the same concern.
And this is uh, you know, this will lead into
the next one. Will touch on cornerback in a second here,
but safety that this is sort of the same questions
I have with linebacker and safety. Is the depth safety?
The top line guys as starters, do you figure are

(46:52):
gonna be really good? You know? But but then behind them,
you know you have Byron ball Win, who's gonna be
a true freshman, you know, true freshman can always be
a little bit of a toss up, and then you
know Bryson Bonds, who hasn't played a whole ton aside
from special teams safety, I like the starters, the depth
behind them is where.

Speaker 4 (47:08):
I have questions.

Speaker 3 (47:09):
Yeah, I'm with you.

Speaker 2 (47:10):
I think it's a little bit better than linebacker, but
there are some questions.

Speaker 3 (47:14):
And I I mean, you do have a guy in
bonds to me.

Speaker 2 (47:19):
He's kind of like in Isaiah Jones, maybe not quite
as much, but he did play a little bit last
year towards the end the year on defense.

Speaker 3 (47:24):
Not a ton, but he's basically been a special teams guy.
But yeah, I'm you know, another guy that I'm just
sure to see where they they play him is jej
al Boyd. They were really high on him.

Speaker 2 (47:35):
I think he was a little bit banged up early
in the season and then later in the year kind
of was getting healthier. I'm I'm super high now he's
a freshman, but I'm super high on Bald when I
think this kid is going to be a total stud.
And then I think Deontay Stewart probably is at safety
because like we talked to ear we talked a little
bit earlier about corner and we were talking about night
and then those guys, it's just such a loaded position
and you got a couple of other young corners and

(47:56):
then Dontrey Henderson's another guy who's a red shirt.

Speaker 3 (47:59):
You know that got a few snaps last year.

Speaker 2 (48:03):
But I'm with you on safety that you know, you
a Mario Ferrell is one of the best in the conference,
and you brought in two really you know, veteran guys
and Lewis Moore and Devin Boykin. And then after that,
you know, what does it look like if you have
anybody go down, so that there are some questions. I
feel a little bit better about safety that new linebacker,
but I do have some current concerns if a guy

(48:25):
or two gets banged up and you got to start
going down the depth chart now because there's not talent.
It's just that experience is so so valuable and there's
gonna be some guys who just don't have it. And again,
those first three games when the schedule lines up this year,
those first three games, it's really it's it's it's nice
that you have I mean, let's be honest, you have
three kind of cupcakes to get guys playing time and

(48:45):
get them kind of you know, immersed in.

Speaker 1 (48:47):
The system Byron Ball and Matt you know, obviously he
was a crown jewel of the twenty five class. Are
we in agreement that we both think he's probably not
gonna rentro this year because I think he's gonna play
a ton I think he is.

Speaker 3 (49:01):
I saw him play live at Center Grove, Like, yeah, listen,
it's not that was not a vintage Center Grove team,
but it's still Center Grove's a proud program. Those that
are well coached have been for years and years and years.
And he was a freaking stud. And that team he's
on is crazy loaded.

Speaker 2 (49:17):
I mean, I think the guy that's committed to the
number one player of the defensive player of the country,
z Ion, I think it's Ion Lee committed to Maryland
he's on.

Speaker 3 (49:24):
I mean they are loaded. It's honestly like an IMG
on the East Coast that every guy is basically a
P four player on their roster. And he stood out.
I mean he is.

Speaker 2 (49:33):
He is really really good, physical, not afraid to hit,
had ball, skilled, I mean, can run, athletic. I'm with you,
I will be shocked if he's not, you know, getting
snaps quite honestly early on. I'm not saying he's gonna
play a tome, but I think he's a guy that
you're gonna try to get on the field because he's

(49:55):
just so supremely talented, and you're gonna try to get
him as much experience as you can early on so
that when you get into the Big ten, you know,
and I think this is a guy this could be
like a hardy where he makes some plays that you're
not expecting, I know, different positions, but you know he
has a big pick or he he takes one back
to the house or something like that. I just think
this guy is really really gonna gonna be special if

(50:17):
he can, say, stay healthy throughout his career and with
the coaching he's gonna get, I think he's got a
chance to.

Speaker 3 (50:22):
Have a heck of a career for Indiana.

Speaker 1 (50:24):
And I will say too, I made note of this.
I think after the spring game. You know, seeing him
in the spring game, Uh, he looked pretty physically well
built from you know, just seeing him, and this was
only after you know, a couple of months in the
strengthen conditioning program at IU. You know, he's got broad shoulders.
Like you said, he played pretty physical. So I think
it's pretty impressive for him to come into a true
freshman to look the way he does already so physically,

(50:47):
from a physical standpoint, I think he's gonna be just fine,
And it could be a situation like last year, Matt,
where you know, we saw last year in the secondary
Indiana rotated mid season. They switched out Josh Angwinetti put
in Terry Jones, and obviously Terry Jones was a veteran
at that point, but there was some shuffling their midseason
in Indiana. You know, their staff proved that, you know,
they showed that they're not afraid to make mid season
changes even when things are going well.

Speaker 3 (51:08):
Yeah, I mean they moved they moved to Mario Ferrell
from from the rover position basically that nickel to the
safety saying when Eddie kind of went to the bench,
and then they stuck at Terry Jones and and and
didn't miss a beat. And obviously Mario Ferrell was phenomenal
last year. So yeah, they're you know, and and I
think I think they've got a few more pieces, especially
with Boyd as a you know, red shirt ready to go,

(51:29):
and then you bring in you bring in Baldwin, and
then like I said, you know, I know Bonds hasn't
played a tom but he's another guy that can get
some snaps.

Speaker 2 (51:36):
So I think they have a few more pieces. It's
just some of them haven't played a lot. So that's
where the questions arise. What's it going to be like
when the bullets are real and you've got to cover
if you have you're out there, you've got to cover
big ten players, You got to come up to tackle
a big ten running back, all that kind of stuff.
I think they've got the ability, but it's again, until
you see it, you're just not sure.

Speaker 1 (51:54):
Yeah, I agree, all right, last position group met that
we have a touchdown yet cornerback Danzel upon Uh, he's
a stud. We know that all American preseason, all Americans
getting first round draft buzz. If he has a season
like he did last year, probably gonna be going, you know,
if not first round, early second round next year in
the draft. And like you you know, you had said previously,
this is a position group where you honestly probably have

(52:15):
like four power for caliber starters with Jamar Sharp, Knighton
and Ryle and Gandy. This, you know, this might be
where I'm most comfortable with on defense in terms of
depth and starting caliber players.

Speaker 3 (52:28):
Yeah, like I said, I think you can make an
argument that corner is your top position regardless on the roster.
Of position, offense or defense.

Speaker 2 (52:35):
I mean, it's right up there with my opinion with receiver,
because you've got you've got four guys, like I said,
any year would be starters in Indiana and Ponds obviously
and real quick is pons is pons our guests on
who another school tried to steal with the seven figure
offer in the spring, I'm guessing it was.

Speaker 3 (52:52):
I'm guessing there was probably Ponds, but I don't know.
I'm just that's a guess by.

Speaker 1 (52:55):
Me, either him or like the only one. Other ones
I would guess are like Carter Smith or like Camaro.

Speaker 3 (53:00):
But that's yeah, yeah, but anyways, you know, and then
and then you've got you again, young guys you hope,
you know, be like last year Dontre Henderson played.

Speaker 2 (53:08):
I think it maybe won one game, you know with
Jalen Bell Zachary Smith, but those both those guys were
here in the spring.

Speaker 3 (53:16):
You know. In Sante Stewart, I think he'll be a safety,
but he's a guy that maybe you could go back
and forth, and he's got that versatility to play both.
But this is a load of position.

Speaker 2 (53:23):
I mean, you've got and I think Jamari Sharp if
he continues on his trajectory, and they that he is
an NFL size I mean, long athletic.

Speaker 3 (53:33):
Now he's got to put it together. He hasn't done
it so far.

Speaker 2 (53:35):
But I'm just really impressed by that kid sticking around
when most guys in his position would have failed.

Speaker 3 (53:40):
They would have left and gone somewhere else and and
and found another school.

Speaker 2 (53:45):
I mean, I'll guarantee a bunch of schools would have
lined up to take him, and he stuck it out.

Speaker 3 (53:49):
And and you know, he could be a big part
of this defense.

Speaker 2 (53:51):
And obviously, you know, I mean den Joel Ponds is
probably you know, in his.

Speaker 3 (53:55):
Last year of college football. He's he's an NFL guy.

Speaker 2 (53:58):
I know he's not huge, but he there's no doubt
in my mind that guy's gonna be an NFL player
for a long time.

Speaker 1 (54:04):
Yeah. And you know, the other component we didn't talk about,
the cornerback, Jamiir Johnson is the guy who you know
transferred out after was it before? I think it was
after right after spring camp, no before spring camp.

Speaker 2 (54:15):
I'm trying to remember that. I'm trying to remember the
timing on that as well.

Speaker 1 (54:18):
I think I've been like February, if I recalled, so
he was. He didn't play in the spring game, that's
for sure. So yeah, he must have been out before sure. Uh.
In any regard, you know you're talking about Jamar Sharp.
You know, coming into the spring that was still another guy,
Jamiir Johnson, a returning starter. He was still on the roster.
Sharp had every you know reason to hit the portal, Uh,
stuck with it. And now you know he has he

(54:39):
has a chance now to to really grab onto that
starting spot. So I think he's really impressive. You know
this quote this quo, I can't you know, this quarterback room,
I can't really find any holes on quite honestly, which
it's it's I mean, that's obviously the spot you want
to be on. I'm just really intrigued to see where
this uh, this second cornerback starting job this fall, which

(55:01):
did That's probably be the one position battle where I'm
you know, keep my on the most if I had
to pick one.

Speaker 3 (55:07):
Yeah, I agree. And also do you maybe get do
you maybe get the third guy?

Speaker 1 (55:11):
You know?

Speaker 2 (55:12):
And this is did you maybe sometimes get him in
at the rover position? Maybe you're playing a team that
spreads the field and throws a lot, and maybe you
feel a little more comfortable with one of those guys
car you know, covering a slot guy over one of
your safeties. You know, I don't know it, I'll be
interested because they're you're you're stacked at this position, and
you know, do you try to get I mean, Pod
is gonna be out there all the time.

Speaker 3 (55:32):
I mean, let's just you know, put that.

Speaker 2 (55:34):
The rest and last year, I don't remember them really,
you know, Jami or Johnson seemed to get almost basically
all the snaps too.

Speaker 3 (55:40):
I don't remember.

Speaker 2 (55:41):
I have to go back and look the snap count
on PFF, but I don't think he was off the
field all that much except maybe a blowout type type
of situation. So I think you're gonna have two guys
that probably get most of snaps. But you know, I mean,
Gandy's good, like Gandy's really good and Nighting's really good too,
So you know it know, it's it's a good problem
them to have, I guess, you know, for coach Ojon

(56:02):
Rod rod Ojan, the corners coach. But you know, it
is a little bit of a you know, dilumma, how
do you get all these guys some snaps to keep
him happy? And and and uh, you know, get maximized.
You know what they can bring to you. You are
right real quick, Jami or Johnson went to the portal
to February third, so you were right it was in February.

Speaker 4 (56:21):
Yeah, that's what I thought.

Speaker 1 (56:22):
All right, really quickly here, Matt, before we close things
down special teams. I don't think there's a whole lot
of questions here. Nico Ratis is going to be your
place kicker. Brendon Frankie you're your kickoff specialist, and then
Mitch McCarthy your punter. Uh, and then Mark you get
Mark Langston back as your long snapper. Probably the biggest
question here on special teams is who's going to do

(56:43):
the receiving or sorry of the returning for you. Solomon
van Horse seventh college season, so he'll probably be back
there to returning kicks if they even let a return kicks,
because last year he honestly didn't at all. But punter
return that was a you know, that was a key
for Indiana last year. They had you know, playmakers at
pat returned with Keishawn Williams and my price. You know
that that will probably be the one spot where where

(57:03):
a lot of fans are looking to to to see
who really steps up at uh in on special teams.

Speaker 2 (57:08):
Yeah, and you had some candid and I think Jonathan
Brady was a returner did returning at Cal you know
Lebron Bond.

Speaker 3 (57:15):
Now it was high.

Speaker 2 (57:15):
School, so it's it's it's different, but I mean Lebron
but and the other thing is do you trust a
freshman back there? It's a lot different catching punts and
having guys run down at you, you know, when you're
playing in Virginia High school. But nothing it is Virgina
High School, foball, but it's not the Big Ten.

Speaker 1 (57:30):
You know.

Speaker 3 (57:30):
I want to say Mikai Jackson maybe has had a
little bit of experience.

Speaker 2 (57:33):
I'm not sure you know how much you want to
expose him to on that that kind of stuff, But
you know, I think they'll they'll they'll find somebody. I mean,
you know, they were so good at that last year,
uh with the guys they had so but that that'll
be important.

Speaker 3 (57:48):
Like you said on kick returns, I mean I think
somebody brought it up today.

Speaker 2 (57:51):
They asked me about it. You know, what's his philosophy?
I just think I think uh Signetti looks at is
the risk reward of returning kicks is just not there.
You know, maybe maybe if he's got somebody he feels
you know, better about, you know, maybe that'll change. But
he just doesn't seem like a guy. I mean, you know,
they would fair catch balls at like the five yard
line last year, where you thought they had a chance

(58:12):
to maybe running out, maybe get thirty five forty yard line.
But I just think he feels like the risk reward
just isn't there. And more more times than not, you're
not gonna make it to the twenty five and you
bring it out, so why not just fair catches? So
but yeah, that's I think, like you said, long snapper, kicker, putner,
they're really really solid kickoff guy. You know, they've got
they've got veteran guys. So who the returners are will

(58:34):
be interesting, especially the partner returner because obviously he's gonna
have to, you know, make some plays when the balls
kicked him.

Speaker 1 (58:41):
The other thing I want to touch on is Radicag
a kicker, because last year we pretty much only saw
him take pats and short field goals. I wonder if
the staff this year lets him sort of off the
leash a little bit. And let you know, trust him
to take more long field goals because I think, you know,
some of those drives last year were Indiana stalled out,
you know a little bit past midfield where they didn't
comfortable letting radisters kick and they would go four and

(59:02):
fourth downs. I wonder if this year they might you know,
be a little bit more willing to to you know,
break put him on the field.

Speaker 4 (59:09):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (59:09):
That that's something I thought about too. Is he a
guy and right now I think Frank you is just
the kickoff guy.

Speaker 3 (59:17):
But is he remember McCormick was going to be kind
of the kickoff and the long field goal guy. Uh,
it'll be interesting, I think RADI I think he's got
the leg to make a fifty or fifty plus yard
field goal. We just said.

Speaker 2 (59:27):
I'm trying to remember his long I want to say
maybe forty eight yards. I could be wrong on that,
but I think he's you know, it will benishing if
they if they do that. Now, Signetti's a guy that
if it's fourth and two, he's probably going for it.
You know, if you're at the you know, thirty three,
thirty four, thirty five yard line, whatever it may be,
he's probably going for but if it's like fourth and eight,
you know, and you're at the thirty five, do you

(59:48):
let him try a fifty three yard or fifty two
yard or whatever.

Speaker 3 (59:51):
It may be. So yeah, that's another thing that I'm
interested in seeing.

Speaker 2 (59:54):
And again those first three games, if you're if you've
got a situation, you're up twenty eight nothing and you
get to the forty you know, thirty eight thirty seven
yard line, and you get a fourth down, maybe run
him out there and see what he can do.

Speaker 3 (01:00:06):
I mean, I don't know. Obviously, you want to try
to keep scoring and.

Speaker 2 (01:00:09):
Winning, but yeah, that at some point their Indianas might
have to make a long field goal to win a
game or to tie a game or something like that.
You may have to do that if you're playing against
a really good quality Oregon, Iowa, Penn State and their
defense is stout and you can't you don't feel prompable
going for on fourth and five. So uh, you know,
and is radishchick that guy? My guess as he is,

(01:00:31):
he's got a heck of a leg, and and you
know it'll be it'd be kind of fun to watch
him try try one of those kicks.

Speaker 1 (01:00:37):
All right, that'll do it for our position. I guess
our fall camp preview here h forty eight hours? Do
we get this thing going? Matt uh just it's it's
been a long offseason, but we got to this point.
I know it's gonna be a long, long season ahead,
but we're ready for fall camp. We will be there.
Peaks dot com will to cover it all in the
coming month and then the kickoff to the NAN football

(01:00:58):
season August thirty first against Oldham Opinion. We will be
there as well for the whole ride. We thank you
folks for joining us all off season and we will
see you over on peaks dot com. We've made it
to the twenty four to five season, lots more to come.
We'll see you folks on the flip side.