Offensive line has been a weak spot for Indiana for a few years.
The issues reached a boiling point during the season last fall, when Tom Allen fired offensive line coach Darren Hiller. The group showed a little improvement after Rod Carey took over, but still had a long way to go.
But with many key pieces returning, and a new, experienced position coach leading the way, IU’s offensive line could turn into a much stronger unit next season.
Allen hired Wisconsin offensive line coach Bob Bostad to be IU’s O-line coach and run game coordinator. He coaches several iterations of successful Badgers offensive lines during his 12 years in Madison, split between two stints. And he also has NFL coaching experience.
Left tackle Luke Haggard is the biggest loss on the line. Right guard Tim Weaver began the season as IU’s starting right guard, but was benched midseason and lost playing time to Kahlil Benson; Weaver is also not returning. Right tackle Parker Hanna started seven games after Matthew Bedford’s injury during the season-opener, but he struggled and IU eventually went to other options. Hanna is out of eligibility.
But Bedford will return in the fall, along with center Zach Carpenter and left guard Mike Katic. Carpenter and Katic switched spots for a period last year when the former returned from a hand injury.
Kahlil Benson and Josh Sales saw a good amount of playing time, especially late in the year, and figure to be prominent parts of the line in 2023. Benson started five games at right guard, and Sales started four games at right tackle, but could be an option at left tackle with Bedford returning and Haggard gone.
Carter Smith played during the Ohio State game, and Allen has made clear the Hoosiers see him as a good piece for the future. Allen has also praised Vinny Fiacable during spring camp.
If Bostad can turn this group’s play around and get some consistency from these players, it could completely change things for Indiana’s offense.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Leaving: Luke Haggard (out of eligibility), Caleb Murphy (graduated early), Tim Weaver (graduated) Parker Hanna (out of eligibility), Chris Bradberry (out of eligibility), Randy Holtz (transfer), Luke Wiginton (transfer)
Key Returning: Matthew Bedford (redshirt senior), Zach Carpenter (redshirt senior), Mike Katic (redshirt senior), Kahlil Benson (redshirt junior), Joshua Sales Jr. (redshirt sophomore), Carter Smith (redshirt freshman), Vinny Fiacable (redshirt sophomore), Cameron Knight (redshirt junior), DJ Moore (redshirt freshman), Cooper Jones (redshirt sophomore), Bray Lynch (redshirt freshman)
Incoming: William Larkins (3-star, Hollywood, Fla.), Austin Barrett (3-star, St. Charles, Ill.), Bubba Jeffries (3-star, Alcoa, Tenn.), Max Longman (transfer, UMass)
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