After watching three weeks of practice and talking with the players and coaches this month, it’s time to take a final position-by-position look at IU football ahead of the 2026 season.
Next up are the tight ends.
THE COACH
Grant Cain splits his time between coaching the tight ends and coordinating the special teams. Indiana has been very good in both regards the last two years. Cain, who has been with Curt Cignetti for nine seasons, is probably the most underappreciated assistant on the staff.
THE MAIN MEN
This has been a three player battle to replace Riley Nowakowski and Holden Staes throughout fall camp.
The competition will likely continue into the season, as none of the three have seen meaningful game action in their college careers.
Brock Schott (6-foot-3, 245) probably entered fall camp as the favorite, but he has faced stiff competition. Schott is an Indiana native who transferred to IU from Miami during the offseason. He was a 4-star recruit and the No. 13 tight end in the 2025 class. He missed spring practice with an injury.
Andrew Barker (6-foot-4, 255) has emerged throughout the offseason. With a year in the program and a lot of reps in the spring, he appears to be capitalizing on the opportunity. The Kokomo, Indiana product is clearly in the mix.
Trevor Gibbs (6-foot-2, 250) missed about two weeks of practice in August with a hamstring injury. He’s just a true freshman and he’ll go into Saturday questionable, but the staff is really high on him long term. Gibbs will have a role this year.
THE COMPETITION
Schott, Barker and Gibbs were the competition. With Nowakowski and Horton on board the last two years, the staff didn’t really split snaps at the position. So you’ve got three guys competing for what could end up being the lion’s share of the snaps at tight end. Obviously IU will go two and three tight ends at times which will create more opportunities. But historically, one main guy is on the field at almost all times.
Given IU’s light schedule to start the year, a rotation between Barker and Schott seems like a possibility to evaluate them in game situations. Eventually Gibbs will get a chance as well.
A YOUNG PICK TO CLICK
Someone in this room has to click, right? Every tight end on the roster is a first or second-year player, and none has seen the field in key moments.
We think Schott, Barker and Gibbs will all have their moments in the spotlight.
Of the main three, keep an eye on Gibbs as the player who eventually carves out the biggest role — even if that takes some time due to his injury. Everything about him, from his frame, the way he moves, his number in the 30s — even his hair — brings Nowakowski to mind.
Of players we haven’t mentioned, true freshman Parker Elmore (6-foot-4, 242) is going to be a good college football player. It just may take some time.
CONCERNS
If you’ve come this far, the concern should be obvious. Someone has to step up and play at a championship level. This is a team with league and national title aspirations, and relying on completely unproven players in what has been a critical role in the offense is a bit alarming.
BOLD PREDICTION
The week one starter won’t be the week 12 starter. Indiana should have this sorted out by the back half of the season, but there will be changes along the way.
THE OUTLOOK
There are things the staff can do to reduce the emphasis on tight end in the offense, and how much trust is placed on the role. Bumping a veteran like Joe Brunner out to tackle is one example. Going to more four and five wide receiver looks could be another. Eventually things will be sorted out under the direction of a great offensive staff. Competition breeds success, and Indiana will end up in a good spot after going through some growing pains.
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