Curt Cignetti came away from IU’s first scrimmage with a familiar read on where his team stands in the third week of fall camp: there’s progress, there’s depth, and there’s still plenty to clean up.
Speaking Monday after practice, Cignetti said the roster is deeper than it was a year ago, but not deep enough everywhere to avoid leaning on younger players in some spots.
“Yeah, more depth this year for sure. But still, there’s areas where we have to develop players. And you might be counting on some younger guys at certain spots to fill in depth.”
That reality showed up quickly when he got into the offensive line, where he pointed to a group of young options behind the top line. Adedamola Ajani, Austin Leibfried, Matt Marek, Baylor Wilkin and true freshman Sam Simpson are among the next men up, with Cignetti noting Ajani has already started a game or two and played in five to seven games in competitive situations.
The first scrimmage, he said, looked a lot like a first scrimmage usually does: a mix of encouraging work and messier moments.
“Like most first scrimmages, some good, bad and ugly. Not quite as many penalties as there normally are, or turnovers. But still a lot to clean up in terms of assignments and getting guys to do what they’re supposed to do.”
Inside, Joe Hjelle has made enough of an impression to be part of the discussion. Cignetti described him as “a tough guy that had explosive power and good movement” and called him “a blue-collar guy” who will be in the mix at tackle.
Linebacker is another spot with real competition, especially behind the top names. Jeff Utzinger and Kaiden Turner bring experience and special teams value, and Cignetti said the battle for the third, fourth and fifth linebacker jobs is still open. He also mentioned Kellan Wyatt as a possible piece against 12-personnel, though he was careful to note that it is only speculation because Wyatt has not been out there yet in 11-on-11.
On the bigger picture, Cignetti said the defense still has the edge over the offense, even though the two sides have traded moments throughout camp.
“It’s been back and forth, pretty good competition. They’ve both had their moments,” he said.
He added that the defensive line depth matters because the twos often line up against younger offensive linemen, and that same kind of situation can come up during the season. Still, he gave the defense the nod.
“So it’s been back and forth, but I’d give the defense the edge. But that’s been pretty much the case every year I’ve been a head coach since 2019, I’d say on the defense has always been a little bit ahead of the offense.”
He also addressed Daniel Ndukwe’s place in a crowded defensive line room, stressing that nothing is handed out.
“Everything’s earned, not given. Competition is a great thing and anybody that can play winning football is gonna play. One thing about Bryant (Haines) is he’s gonna create packages to get people on the field to put the offense in conflict.”
Cignetti said the team is getting cleaner with each practice, but it still has a ways to go before opening day. He said the installation is not complete and that there are still situations that need to be practiced before the first game.
“I think as a team, we’re making progress. Every practice is a little bit cleaner.
Guys are coming closer to meeting the bar, play-in and play-out from an assignment-effort standpoint and finishing plays. But still a way to go.
We’re not completely done with our installation. We still have a number of situations to practice before the first game.
But we’re on track.”
At receiver, Nick Marsh has been one of the more noticeable players in camp. Cignetti said Marsh made several strong plays, including a big catch in the scrimmage, and praised his size and ability after the catch. He also grouped Marsh with Charlie Becker as long targets who are helping shape the room.
“Yeah, he’s made some really nice plays in fall camp, made a great catch in the scrimmage. Big, long strong guy. He’s good after the catch and just him and (Charlie) Becker, two long guys that have a good track record and now it’s kind of developing three, four or five in that receiver room.”
The center spot is still a work in progress, but Bray Lynch has taken most of the first-team reps there. Drew Evans has worked at left guard, and Cignetti said Bob Bostad continues to shuffle bodies around because you can never have enough players who can snap the ball.
“Bray’s (Lynch) taken 90 percent of the reps with the ones at center. And (Drew) Evans has played left guard.
So Bob’s (Bostad) always moving guys around because you never have enough guys that can snap the ball. We probably work four or five different guys at the center position because you can’t get a play off if you can’t snap the ball.
“But Bray’s done a really nice job and Drew’s being playing left guard.”
The wide receiver room has its own layers. Tyler Morris missed Saturday’s scrimmage because of a family situation, while Davion Chandler has made steady progress and can line up inside or outside. Cignetti said Morris has shown what he can do in both spots as well.
After that, the picture gets less settled. Shazz Preston has talent, but Cignetti said he needs to stay locked in on assignments and cut down on missed assignments.
Preston missed the first three or four practices with a hip injury but has recently returned and made some nice plays. Lebron Bond and Jackson Wasserstrom round out the group.
Cignetti closed by singling out Rolijah Hardy, praising his instincts, burst and ball skills, and noting that he has shown a knack for making plays in big games.
“Instinct, initial quickness, explosiveness, his ability to run. He loves the game, he’s got really good ball skills.
He’s had, early on his career, some nice interceptions. So he’s got a nose for the football and he’s just a really good player.
I’ve mentioned a few other times before, in the big games, he plays really well.”
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