With football season approaching, we’re going through Indiana’s roster to look at each position group going into fall camp.
Indiana has most of its specialists back this season.
The Hoosiers brought in some pieces for special teams this offseason, including their starting punter for this season. But other than that spot, most of the additions were more about depth and future potential than anyone who will contribute this season.
Roster turnover — who’s gone
- James Evans (P) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Derek McCormick (K) (exhausted his eligibility)
Roster turnover — who’s back
- Mark Langston (LS) (sixth-year senior)
- Nico Radicic (K) (redshirt sophomore)
- Quinn Warren (K) (sophomore)
- Josh Placzek (K) (walk-on; redshirt freshman)
Roster turnover — who’s new
- Mitch McCarthy (P) (senior; transfer — UCF)
- Brendan Franke (K) (sixth-year senior; transfer — Texas State)
- Oludabe Baker (K/P) (redshirt senior; transfer — Morehouse College)
- Sam Lindsey (LS) (redshirt sophomore; transfer — Georgia State)
- Bryce Taylor (K) (3-star, Bloomington, Ind.)
Projected depth chart
Here’s our best estimate of Indiana’s special teams starters.
Placekicker: Nico Radicic, redshirt sophomore, 5-foot-11, 187 pounds (13 career starts at IU)
Punter: Mitch McCarthy, senior, 6-foot-5, 233 pounds (37 career starts at UCF)
Kickoff specialist: Brendan Franke, sixth-year senior, 6-foot-3, 233 pounds
Long snapper: Mark Langston, sixth-year senior, 6-foot, 222 pounds (35 career starts at IU and Georgia Southern)
Kickoff returner: Solomon Vanhorse, seventh-year graduate student, 5-foot-8, 185 pounds
Punt returner: Jonathan Brady, senior 5-foot-10, 183 pounds
The only remaining question mark for special teams jobs is at punt returner. IU hasn’t worked on returns during practice periods open to the media this fall, and both players who returned punts last season — Myles Price and Ke’Shawn Williams — are gone. Head coach Curt Cignetti said on Monday that they have not yet named a starter, with two or three guys in the mix. He didn’t name any of the candidates, but Brady is the lone player on the roster with meaningful punt return experience at the collegiate level. So it feels appropriate to deem him the favorite, while acknowledging that some younger players with less experience could play themselves into that role.
Why it will work
We’ll break this down into sections.
For the kicking game, Radicic said he’s expanded his range this offseason and feels comfortable from 55 yards out. If Cignetti is willing to unleash the redshirt sophomore from more ambitious distances, and if Radicic backs up that confidence, IU could have a new weapon this year. Even if the Hoosiers continue to shy away from trying longer field goals, preferring to keep the offense on the field on fourth downs or punt, Radicic was pretty reliable last season when called upon.
McCarthy was one of the better punters in the Big 12 last year, ranking fourth in the conference with 44.1 yards per punt. He’s a big guy, who — if nothing else — looks the part. He’s another ProKick Australia product, just like James Evans and many other successful college kickers and punters. There’s no reason to expect he can’t handle the pressure of kicking in the Big Ten, and no reason to expect him to not succeed at his job.
On kickoff returns, Vanhorse wasn’t asked to do much last year. He actually returned only five kickoffs all season — most of the time, he’d just fair catch the kicks and set up the offense at the 25. He’s yet to fumble throughout his long college career, which is one of the few things that could go awry with that strategy. Expect more of the same this year.
Punt return is entirely dependent on who wins that job. Indiana has a lot of players on the roster who, in theory, could fit the mold of a good punt returner. There are athletes who could provide some pop and burst and help the team win the field position battle.
Why it won’t
Placekicking is such a mental battle, it doesn’t take much for results to flip completely around. Radicic showed no signs of cracking last season, nailing 100 percent of his extra-point attempts and coming through with some clutch field goals. But if he stumbles at all this season, who knows how he’ll handle it.
With punt returning, the overall lack of college experience in the role is a bit of a concern. Brady was New Mexico State’s primary punt returner in 2023, averaging 8.45 yards on 11 returns, without any fumbles. But he didn’t handle any punts last season at Cal. If he’s looking for someone who returned punts at the collegiate level last year, Makai Jackson could be the guy — but he still returned only two punts last year at Appalachian State.
Prior previews:
- Defensive line
- Linebackers
- Cornerbacks
- Safeties
- Quarterbacks
- Running backs
- Offensive line
- Wide receivers
- Tight ends
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