Well that didn’t last long.
Graduate transfer quarterback Brandon Dawkins has left the Indiana football program.
IU head coach Tom Allen addressed the media on that and many other topics on Monday morning in Bloomington.
“We wish him nothing but the very best. Fine young man. Very excited, though, about the two guys I consider our top two QBs, Peyton Ramsey and Michael Penix,” Allen told reporters.
Allen indicated that Dawkins met with him on Sunday, and told him he “wanted to sort some things out,” and go in a different direction.
Dawkins reportedly struggled throughout fall camp to accurately pass the football. A dual threat quarterback, his natural athletic gifts were perhaps somewhat limited in camp by his ongoing learning of the offense and the nature of camp where quarterback running is limited.
While Allen indicated last week that there could be packages inserted in situations for Dawkins, we learned from one source that the California native had already packed up and moved out of Bloomington last week upon learning the news that Ramsey was the starter.
Dawkins was the starting quarterback at Arizona in 2017 before he suffered an injury in week 5. In 23 career games at Arizona, Dawkins passed for 2,414 yards. He completed 56% of his passes and threw 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. As a dual-threat quarterback, Dawkins also ran for 1,582 yards and 20 touchdowns with the Wildcats.
When he announced his intent to transfer to Indiana in April, Dawkins was widely presumed to be the starter. Ramsey was announced as the starter last week, and several reports indicated that true freshman Michael Penix was Ramsey’s likely backup.
The news on Dawkins no doubt puts a strain on the Hoosiers at the quarterback position. Once appearing to have depth in the event of an injury, IU is now one step away from inserting a true freshman into the mix.
Illinois native Johnny Pabst is now the presumed third string quarterback. Allen also indicated today that true freshman and Indiana Mr. Football Reese Taylor is moving back to the quarterback position.
This story will be updated.
