The Daily Hoosier
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Watch: IU basketball sophomore guard C.J. Gunn — media day Q&A
    • IU great A.J. Guyton’s daughter headed to Big Ten rival
    • The Daily Hoosier Report: The Latest in IU News and Recruiting Notes (9/25)
    • After disappointing performance, IU’s offense has issues to work out
    • Watch: Monday Q&A with IU football coach Tom Allen — Maryland week
    • Kaleb Banks “super surprised” IU booked his fellow Georgian Gucci Mane for Hoosier Hysteria
    • Watch: IU basketball junior forward Payton Sparks — media day Q&A
    • Tom Allen has to find quick answers midseason as struggling offense threatens his job security
    • Sign Up
    • About/Support
    • Jobs
    • Tickets
      • IUBB Tickets (Stubhub)
      • IUFB Tickets (Stubhub)
    • Shop
      • Official IU Store
      • IU Adidas Store
      • Amazon: Support TDH
      • IU Memorabilia
      • IU Press (Books)
      • The Daily Hoosier T-Shirt
    • Radio/Podcasts
    • Pro IU
      • IUBB NBA
      • IUFB NFL
      • IUBASE MLB
    • Forum
      • Disqus Forum
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    The Daily HoosierThe Daily Hoosier
    Tuesday, September 26
    • IU Basketball
      • Latest IU Basketball News
      • IU Basketball 2023-24 Schedule
      • IU Basketball 23-24 Roster/Staff
      • Offseason Roster Activity Tracker
      • Scholarship Chart
      • Future Schedules
      • 2022-23 Big Ten Standings
      • 2022-23 IU Basketball Stats
      • Rankings & Bracketology
      • IU Basketball Media Guide
    • IU Football
      • Latest IU Football News
      • IU Football: The 2023 Schedule
      • Roster
      • 2023 IUFB Stats
      • 2023 B1G Standings
      • Future Opponents through 2031
      • IUFB 2023 Media Guide
    • IU Recruiting
      • IU Basketball Recruiting News
      • IU Football Recruiting News
      • IUBB 2024-2026 Prospects
      • Recruit Interviews
      • Recruit Highlights
      • CBB Team Rankings
      • IU Football Recruiting Commits
    • IU Women’s Basketball
      • IU Women’s Basketball News
      • 22-23 Schedule
      • Big Ten Standings
    • IU Men’s Soccer
      • 2022 schedule
      • 2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket
      • Indiana Men’s Soccer: Program History
    • More Hoosiers
      • Fan and Business NIL options
      • IU Baseball
        • Baseball Schedule (links to iuhoosiers.com)
        • 2021 Stats (links to iuhoosiers.com)
        • Big Ten Standings
      • IU Swim & Dive
      • IU Olympic Results
    • Hoosier History
      • March Madness Classics
      • Basketball History
      • Football History
      • IUFB Best Seasons
      • IUFB All-Time Top 10 Players
    The Daily Hoosier

    Indiana Football: A Preview of the 2018 Roster By Position (Updated 1/13/18)

    Mike SchumannBy Mike SchumannJanuary 13, 2018 IU Football 1 Comment
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    UPDATED – JANUARY 13, 2018 – RB Devonte Williams has announced his intent to transfer to Southeastern Louisiana University.

    Following the disappointing and sudden end to the 2017 Indiana football season, it is time, perhaps reluctantly, to look ahead to the 2018 season.  You can review the 2018 schedule here.  Today we look at who’s leaving and coming back as the 2018 roster takes shape.

    At the time we first published this article upon the immediate conclusion of the 2017 season, perhaps the biggest open question for next year’s roster was whether wide receiver Simmie Cobbs would return.  That question has been answered as the Hoosiers will unfortunately lose Cobbs to the NFL.  Nevertheless, the returning offense should be a source of optimism for IU fans, with a wealth of talent returning at both the skill positions and the offensive line.

    It is another story on the other side of the ball, as many of the core players from the defense are gone, including likely NFL draft pick Tegray Scales.  Coach Tom Allen will have several players returning that have experience in his system, but he’ll need to recreate some of his 2016 magic in order to get this unit playing at a high level.

    On the recruiting front, as it stands today Indiana should have one of its better classes in years.  As of this updated writing (Jan. 3) the class was ranked in the 247 sports composite at 42nd in the nation, with all previously committed players having signed national letters of intent and two previously uncommitted players also signing.  You can take a look at the complete 2018 recruiting class here.

    QUARTERBACKS:  Should be a position of strength for many years to come with Ramsey likely leading the way.

    Leaving:  Richard Lagow (Graduation).

    Key Returning:  Peyton Ramsey, Nick Tronti.  Newcomers Michael Penix and Reese Taylor could be difficult to keep off the field.

    RUNNING BACKS:  Perhaps the deepest and most talented position on the team in 2018 but hit by transfers.

    Leaving:  Tyler Natee (Transfer), Alex Rodriguez (Transfer), and Devonte Williams (Transfer)

    Key Returning:  Morgan Ellison, Cole Gest, Mike Majette, Ricky Brookins.  2018 recruit Ronnie Walker is top 20 at his position nationally.

    WIDE RECEIVERS:  Big losses in Simmie Cobbs and Mack.  Nevertheless IU has a lot of returning talent.

    Leaving:  Simmie Cobbs (NFL), Taysir Mack (Transfer) and Phil Benker (Transfer)

    Key Returning:  Nick Westbrook, Whop Philyor, Luke Timian, J-Shun Harris, Donovan Hale

    TIGHT ENDS:  Ian Thomas is a big loss.  Watercutter brings experience and the Hoosiers have young depth.

    Leaving:  Ian Thomas (Graduation)

    Key returning:  Ryan Watercutter, Austin Dorris, Peyton Hendershot, Shaun Bonner

    OFFENSIVE LINE:  Yet another position on offense where virtually everyone is returning.

    Leaving:  Danny Friend (Graduation)

    Key returning:  Coy Cronk, Wes Martin, Hunter Littlejohn, Simon Stepaniak, Brandon Knight, Grayson Stover, Harry Crider, Mackenzie Nworah, Delroy Baker

    New addition:  Nick Linder (transfer from Miami Fl)

    DEFENSIVE LINE:  The core of the defensive line is graduating.  Indiana will have to replace a lot of talent but has some experience returning.

    Leaving:  Greg Gooch, Nate Hoff, Robert McCray (all Graduation)

    Key Returning:  Jacob Robinson, Michael Barwick, Nile Sykes, Juan Harris, Ja’Merez Bown, Allen Stallings, Jerome Johnson, LeShaun Minor, Brandon Wilson

    LINEBACKERS:  2 Big losses here including likely NFL draft pick Tegray Scales.

    Leaving:  Tegray Scales, Chris Covington (both Graduation)

    Key Returning:  Dameon Willis, Mike McGinnis, Reakwon Jones, Kiante Walton

    DEFENSIVE BACKS/HUSKY:  Big losses but also some key returning players.

    Leaving:  Rashard Fant, Tony Fields, Chase Dutra (all Graduation), Zeke Walker (Transfer)

    Key Returning:  Marcelino Ball, Jonathan Crawford, A’Shon Riggins, Andre Brown, Isaac James, Khalil Bryant, Raheem Layne, Tyler Green, Ben Bach.

    KICKER:  Griffin Oakes had an exceptional senior year and will be difficult to replace.

    Leaving:  Griffin Oakes (Graduation)

    Key Returning:  Competition between Logan Justus, Jared Smolar, incoming freshman Charles Campbell

    PUNTER:  Haydon Whitehead had a solid season and seems like the clear starter for 2018.

    Leaving:  None

    Key Returning:  Haydon Whitehead.

     

    You can follow us on Twitter:  @daily_hoosier

    Find us on Facebook:  thedailyhoosier

     

    [photo credit – Noble Guyon, IDS]

    Share this:

    • Tweet

    Related

    2018 football hoosiers indiana Nick Linder roster
    Mike Schumann

    Keep Reading

    After disappointing performance, IU’s offense has issues to work out

    Watch: Monday Q&A with IU football coach Tom Allen — Maryland week

    Tom Allen has to find quick answers midseason as struggling offense threatens his job security

    Latest Hoosier News
    • Watch: IU basketball sophomore guard C.J. Gunn — media day Q&A
    • IU great A.J. Guyton’s daughter headed to Big Ten rival
    • The Daily Hoosier Report: The Latest in IU News and Recruiting Notes (9/25)
    • After disappointing performance, IU’s offense has issues to work out
    • Watch: Monday Q&A with IU football coach Tom Allen — Maryland week
    • Kaleb Banks “super surprised” IU booked his fellow Georgian Gucci Mane for Hoosier Hysteria
    • Watch: IU basketball junior forward Payton Sparks — media day Q&A
    Sign Up



    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    © 2023 The Daily Hoosier, LLC.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.