BLOOMINGTON - IU football’s second week of fall camp has brought a few clearer hints about where some of the new faces fit, and the early takeaway is that several transfers and freshmen are already pressing for bigger jobs.
Right tackle Joe Brunner and edge Tobi Osunsanmi have started to surface as leaders, both of them speaking to the full team during practice. That lines up with how Curt Cignetti has handled leadership in camp: nobody gets that kind of responsibility unless he’s expected to matter on the field.
The tone around practice also feels sharper than it has in recent years. Coaches have been noticeably louder, and the messages have been direct.
Defensive tackle coach Pat Kuntz told one freshman, “you’re like a dog in traffic out there and you’re gonna get run over.” Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines barked, “you’re messing up the entire drill,” and another coach shouted, “How are you tired already, I thought you worked hard this summer.”
None of that is scientific, but it does suggest the staff knows this group is carrying the weight of a championship hangover.
The last two practices were held inside Memorial Stadium, and there still hasn’t been any clear display there recognizing the national championship. A new trophy case has been installed inside, and the indoor practice facility now has signs for the Big Ten and national titles.
But in the stadium itself, there’s no sign yet that IU won anything last year. That could still be coming on gameday, or Cignetti may simply want no part of it inside the building.
At quarterback, Tyler Cherry took some second-team reps this week, though that does not mean he has jumped Grant Wilson for the No. 2 job. Cignetti has a habit of mixing personnel around at this stage of camp. Jacob Bell remains buried on the depth chart, but his arm talent stands out.
One player making a real impression is wideout Nick Marsh. At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, he made a one-handed catch in the end zone Thursday that drew plenty of reaction. Marsh has the size, athleticism and production to be a problem for defenses, and at just 19 years old he looks ready for another big season.
Davion Chandler is also pushing for a larger role. That was the read coming out of spring, and nothing in camp has changed it. He’s challenging older receivers and should get opportunities even in a crowded veteran room.
Depth at receiver is strong enough that IU may not need much from Lavar Keys this season, but he’s someone to keep in mind down the line. His route-running and hands have stood out in camp.
A few other younger players are beginning to look the part physically. Linebacker Jacob Savage is one of them, and second-year safeties Garrett Reese and Seaonta Stewart both arrive with good size at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, respectively. The question now is whether either one can turn that frame into real playing time in year two.
Cignetti has also singled out Ryland Gandy more than once, and the cornerback may be working toward a bigger role. He filled in for D’Angelo Ponds a couple times last season without issue, and with IU still needing someone to win the open corner job opposite Jamari Sharpe, Gandy has a path. He also looks bigger this year than he did in 2025.
At tight end, the Hoosiers still have plenty to sort through, but true freshman Trevor Gibbs could be in line to help right away. He’s a big body and appears capable of blocking, which could make him useful early. He may eventually bring Riley Nowakowski to mind.
Another freshman trending in the right direction is defensive tackle Blake Smythe. There were already signs in spring that he might be able to get on the field, and that remains the case. If Smythe earns rotational snaps, that would be a major development, especially at one of the hardest positions for a young player to crack.
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Indiana Transfers Are Already Shaping The Tone Of Fall Camp
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What stands out at this stage is how smoothly some of those transfers are fitting into the program. Rather than just learning the system, a few are already taking on leadership roles in practice, which is usually a good sign for a camp still taking shape. For Indiana, the hope is that this kind of buy-in carries over once the intensity rises and the roster has to translate offseason momentum into something more durable. [Read more 🡒]