As Indiana football’s spring practice rolls on, its quarterback picture will continue to be a focus.
IU’s three main quarterbacks this spring appear to be redshirt senior Kurtis Rourke, redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson, and true freshman Tyler Cherry. Rourke transferred in from Ohio this offseason, while Jackson played in six games last season after transferring from Tennessee.
At the beginning of spring practice, Rourke worked with the starters, Jackson with the second-stringers, and Cherry with the third unit. Cignetti declined to expand on the rotation’s development after Tuesday’s practice — the team’s sixth practice of this spring — but he said he’s been pleased with the Ohio transfer.
“I’m not going to tell you about the quarterback rotation, and from here on out, I may not really be very open about it, although I am impressed with Rourke’s progress,” Cignetti said. “He just looks like, the last two practices, he’s been functioning, looking like a high-level quarterback.”
Rourke’s experience seems to have him in the pole position to become IU’s starter in the fall. He finished second in the MAC last season at 200.6 passing yards per game, and he threw 11 touchdowns with five interceptions. He added 219 rushing yards on 67 attempts with four touchdowns.
And while Cignetti didn’t want to discuss the quarterback rotation, he essentially confirmed Cherry is still working with the third-stringers. But he said the four-star from Center Grove is coming along nicely for a freshman getting his first experience in college football.
“He’s getting some reps. He doesn’t get quite as many reps as the ones and twos, but he’s getting reps every day,” Cignetti said. “He’s not ready. But he does throw the ball to the right guy a lot. And the arm strength and the accuracy need to improve. But for a freshman to come in, find the open receiver — doesn’t always get them the ball. But keep plugging along. He gets better every day. Have a great summer, fall camp, we’ll see.”
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