Indiana football is continuing to fill in some gaps through the transfer portal, but the roster still looks pretty clear.
Curt Cignetti is looking to build on his historic first season in Bloomington, and he’s built another team with high potential for 2025. Plenty could change with the roster picture, between additional portal commitments, any injuries, or position battles during fall camp.
But, with that said, here’s how The Daily Hoosier projects Indiana’s two-deep depth chart after spring camp, with some key spring portal additions factored in.
Offense
Quarterback: Fernando Mendoza (1); Grant Wilson (2)
There’s no question over Mendoza starting. His primary backup is unclear, whether it’s his younger brother, Alberto, or Wilson. The latter gets the edge, for now, because of his experience.
Running back: Kaelon Black, Roman Hemby, Lee Beebe Jr. (committee)
The Hoosiers rotated pretty evenly between Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton last season. They appear to have a three-headed backfield entering this year, though that rotation could narrow as the season approaches. For now, it’s hard to truly anoint any of these three the “starter” over the others.
Wide receiver: Elijah Sarratt (1), Omar Cooper Jr. (1), Jonathan Brady (1); E.J. Williams Jr. (2), Makai Jackson (2), Charlie Becker (2)
Sarratt and Cooper are all but locked in. Recent portal addition Brady looks like a clear Tyler Morris replacement at slot receiver, though Cooper and Sarratt spent some time this spring working on playing slot as well. Williams and Jackson should be key factors at the position as well, and Becker earned praise for a strong spring camp.
Tight end: Holden Staes (1, receiving), Riley Nowakowski (1, blocking); James Bomba (2)
It’s probably too black-and-white to name either Staes or Nowakowski the sole starting tight end. Staes will be Indiana’s top receiving tight end, while Nowakowski will be the top blocking tight end, and both will play important roles in the offense.
Offensive line: Carter Smith (1, left tackle), Drew Evans (1, left guard), Pat Coogan (1, center), Bray Lynch (1, right guard), Zen Michalski (1, right tackle); Kahlil Benson (2, guard), Evan Lawrence (2, tackle), Jack Greer (2, center), Austin Leibfried (2, guard)
Evans’ status is the biggest question mark on the offensive line depth chart. Cignetti said IU is expecting him to return to the field during fall camp, but that’s not certain — and even if it happens, he still may not be ready for game action by the start of the season. If he is ready to suit up for the season-opener, it feels appropriate to slot him as the starter over Benson after a strong 2024 prior to his injury.
Defense
Defensive end: Stephen Daley (1); Mario Landino (2)
Defensive tackle: Hosea Wheeler (1), Tyrique Tucker (1); Dominique Ratcliff (2), J’Mari Monette (2)
Stud: Mikail Kamara (1); Kellen Wyatt (2)
Indiana’s defensive line depth looks really solid, particularly after adding Wyatt. The Maryland transfer could easily start, given his production for the Terps. But it makes more sense to put him at stud, where Kamara moved over to this spring. Landino showed promise as a freshman, and is versatile enough to play both tackle or end.
Linebacker: Aiden Fisher (1), Rolijah Hardy (1); Isaiah Jones (2), Kaiden Turner (2)
Fisher is among the clearest lineup locks on the entire roster. Hardy seems to have the inside track for the other linebacker spot for now, after showing strong future potential last season and rolling that into a nice spring. Jones should see plenty of action as well.
Cornerback: D’Angelo Ponds (1), Jamari Sharpe (1); Ryland Gandy (2), Amariyun Knighten (2)
Ponds is unquestionably Indiana’s top cornerback. It gets interesting on the other side though. Sharpe lined up with the starters during the spring game, though not everyone was available. He, Gandy, and Knighten should all have opportunities to win that job.
Safety: Amare Ferrell (1), Louis Moore (1); Bryson Bonds (2), Byron Baldwin Jr. (2)
Ferrell will hold down strong safety. Moore should handle free safety, though he’s still waiting on official approval from the NCAA for his eligibility waiver. Bonds is the clear No. 2 at strong safety behind Ferrell. Moore’s backup is less clear — we’re putting Baldwin there for now, but that could easily change with more portal commitments, or with someone else stepping up in fall camp.
Rover: Devan Boykin (1); Seaonta Stewart Jr. (2)
Boykin started at rover during the spring game, so it’s reasonable to think he’s slated for that position entering fall camp. Like free safety, there are a number of different underclassmen who could get the backup job — and it’s also possible a backup cornerback could slide over to rover in a pinch as well. But we’ll list Stewart for now.
Special Teams
Placekicker: Nico Radicic (1); Brendan Franke (2)
Punter: Mitch McCarthy (1)
Long snapper: Mark Langston (1); Sam Lindsey (2)
Kickoff specialist: Brendan Franke (1); Quinn Warren (2)
Kick returner: Solomon Vanhorse (1)
Punt returner: Makai Jackson (1)
IU’s special teams are mostly straightforward. Punt returner is really the only position without a clear choice. And there are a plethora of different potential options to handle that role, without any clear indicators of whose job it’ll be. Jackson had some limited punt return experience at Appalachian State, so we’ll pencil him in for now.
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