Indiana’s fall camp is starting to sort itself out, and Curt Cignetti is getting a clearer read on where the Hoosiers are deep - and where the questions still linger.
The picture is pretty settled up front on the offensive line. Indiana’s projected starting five appears locked in with Carter Smith at left tackle, Drew Evans at left guard, Bray Lynch at center, Adedamola Ajani at right guard and Joe Brunner at right tackle. What comes next is less defined, but Cignetti said a handful of younger linemen have stood out in camp: redshirt sophomore Austin Leibfreid, redshirt freshmen Matt Marek and Baylor Wilkin, and true freshman Sam Simpson.
That reserve group could matter quickly if IU has to absorb any injuries among the starters.
Wide receiver is a much different story. Indiana has real firepower there, with projected 2027 first round NFL Draft picks Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh leading the room.
Tyler Morris, who missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a knee injury in spring ball, is back healthy and has been working well in camp. He should be a regular presence in the slot.
Cignetti also put sophomore Davion Chandler in the conversation with the top names, a notable vote of confidence as the regular season approaches.
“I think Davion’s made good progress here, recently,” Cignetti said. “He’s got a lot of talent, can play inside and outside.”
Behind that top four, the group gets less settled. Sophomore Lebron Bond and former walk-on turned scholarship player Jackson Wasserstrom are in the mix, while Tulane transfer Shazz Preston brings experience. Cignetti made clear, though, that Preston’s spot depends on consistency.
“Shazz Preston has talent, but he’s got to be locked in assignment-wise and do the right thing play in, play out. He can help us if he can do that,” Cignetti said.
“He missed the first three or four practices with a hip (injury). He’s gotten on the field recently, he’s made some nice plays, but we got to eliminate the MA’s (missed assignments), with him.”
Linebacker is another area where Indiana has pieces, but the depth chart still needs sorting. The Hoosiers moved on from Aiden Fisher after last season, but Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy are back in the fold. Behind them, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Bryant Haines has veteran options in redshirt seniors Jeff Utzinger and Kaiden Turner, both of whom have logged plenty of snaps on special teams and defense during their IU careers.
Even there, the exact order is still being sorted out.
“They know what they do. They played before.
Good special teams players, as well,” Cignetti said of Utzinger and Turner. “Competitive situation, as far as the third, fourth, and fifth linebacker right now.
Of course, in two tight end (formations), we’d like to play three linebackers. Kellan Wyatt could figure into that mix as a linebacker against 12 personnel.
But that’s speculation, because he hasn’t been out there yet.”
In Other News...
Indiana Just Sent A Clear Message About Scott Dolson
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The mix now includes proven returners and transfer additions, giving Indiana more bodies and more options at the edge than it had a year ago. Even with the bigger picture still unfolding, the depth chart is starting to look unusually sturdy for a unit that could end up setting the tone for the entire defense. [Read more 🡒]
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Dolsons rise has tracked with a broader lift across Indiana athletics, including notable financial and programmatic improvements and a football resurgence that has helped change the conversation around the department. Add in his recognition as NACDA Athletics Director of the Year, and the extension reads less like a routine personnel note than a clear signal that Indiana sees him as central to what comes next. [Read more 🡒]