It happens at the start of each new football season.
Who is that? Where did he come from? When did he change positions?
To help ease you into Indiana’s 2020 season opener against Penn State, here is a complete recap of players with new positions and new numbers, along with new names to be on the lookout for and the new coaches on Tom Allen’s staff.
NEW POSITIONS
A handful of players will be featured at different positions in 2020:
Bryant Fitzgerald moved from safety to husky, a position he played earlier in his career.
David Ellis changed from wide receiver to running back but will likely play both positions along with kickoff returner.
Raheem Layne moved from cornerback to safety at spring practice. Layne is injured and is not expected to return until the second half of the season.
Jonathan King has moved from defensive tackle to defensive end.
Jamar Johnson has moved from husky to safety but in reality will likely play both positions due to the season ending injury to Marcelino Ball.
NEW UNIFORM NUMBERS
As is this case each year, several players changed their jersey numbers during the offseason.
Safety Raheem Layne took advantage of a new NCAA rule allowing the number 0. He is the first Hoosier to wear the number after sporting No. 17 last year.
Safety Devon Matthews has changed from 27 to 1.
Wide receiver Jacolby Hewitt has changed from 18 to 2.
Running back Sampson James has changed from 24 to 6.
Wide receiver Da’Shaun Brown has changed from 80 to 12.
Cornerback Larry Tracy has changed from 13 to 14.
Defensive lineman Shamar Jones changed from 96 to 52.
Kicker Jack Cardillo changed from 87 to 99.
FRESHMEN/NEW NAMES TO WATCH
From true freshmen to program veterans primed to see their first meaningful action, here are some names to watch that you might not be familiar with:
WR – Jacolby Hewitt (2) has worked his way to No. 2 on the depth chart after missing his redshirt freshman season with a knee injury.
WR – Da’Shaun Brown (12) has worked his way to No. 2 on the depth chart after not playing as a true freshman.
CB – Larry Tracy III (14) has worked his way up to the backup corner position behind Tiawan Mullen.
WR – Rashawn Williams (15) is a true freshman and was one of the top ranked recruits ever for IU.
WR – Javon Swinton (18) is a true freshman that appears likely to see action in the slot.
S – Bryson Bonds (24) is a true freshman safety that will see significant playing time this year.
LB – Aaron Casey (46) is a redshirt sophomore linebacker that should see his first extensive action.
DT – Jovan Swann (51) is a graduate transfer from Stanford that will factor heavily into the defensive tackle rotation.
G – Mike Katic (56) is a redshirt freshman guard that could start or be the backup on the left side.
OT – Aidan Rafferty (66) is a redshirt sophomore that has worked his way up to No. 2 at left tackle.
G – Dylan Powell (72) is a graduate transfer guard from Stanford that could start or be the backup on the left side.
OT – Luke Haggard (70) is a JUCO transfer offensive tackle from California that should see playing time.
G – Tim Weaver (73) is a redshirt freshman guard that appears at No. 2 on the depth chart on the right side.
OT – Britt Beery (78) is a redshirt junior that has worked his way up to No. 2 at right tackle.
TE – A.J. Barner (88) is a true freshman tight end with good size (6-foot-6) that should be utilized in the passing game.
NEW COACHES
Indiana also has a few new position coaches along with other program veterans that have taken on new roles in 2020.
Nick Sheridan: From tight ends to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks (replaces Kalen DeBoer)
Kevin Wright: Tight ends (via IMG Academy)
Kevin Peoples: Defensive line (via Tulane, replaces Mark Hagen)
Kasey Teegardin: From safeties and huskies to special teams coordinator (replaces William Inge) and huskies
Jason Jones: Safeties (via Florida Atlantic)
For the 2020 week one depth chart, GO HERE
For an in depth preview of each position group, GO HERE
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