Even though Curt Cignetti has succeeded as a more offensive-minded coach, the Indiana Football staff sought a lot of talent in the transfer portal on both sides of the ball. They were especially successful on the defensive side, with multiple incoming players earning accolades at their previous schools after highly productive seasons.
Although players like D’Angelo Ponds, Aiden Fisher, and C.J. West are expected to have that same impact at Indiana, there are some depth pieces who could also find some success in the 2024 season. All of our breakout candidates below are not expected to be listed as No. 1 on their positional depth chart but still could see plenty of time on the field.
Isaiah Jones
With Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker, the starting linebacker situation at Indiana seems relatively clear. But there are a few players who have caught the staff’s eye at fall camp.
Among them is redshirt sophomore Isaiah Jones. With only four appearances so far in his collegiate career and only one tackle, Jones has the least experience among the other main contenders for snaps at linebacker, including Najhi Logan, and Joshua Rudolph. Jones did start the spring game alongside Fisher and is getting some reps with him in fall camp as well.
Jones was the first player defensive coordinator Bryant Haines mentioned as a contender to push Fisher and Walker.
“He’s playing really good football right now, I’m pleased with him,” Haines said on Friday. “I like the way he played in the spring, he’s really built off that this fall camp so far. He’s played both positions, both will and mike, that’s not easy to do. There’s a lot of content in our playbook right now and he can handle it quite well.”
Even if he doesn’t get the nod in Week 1, Jones could find himself in the position to have a lot of meaningful playing time. As a prospect, Jones was the 56th-ranked linebacker in the class of 2022, according to 247Sports.
Cedarius Doss
Doss enters the secondary group with some pretty impressive stats with Austin Peay at the FCS level. In 2023, he snagged three interceptions on the year, while only allowing 26 receptions on 51 targets. Doss is a bit undersized at 5-foot-8 but played most of his snaps on the outside last season. Doss is highly regarded by the likes of PFF, who has him as the third-best returning (to college) cornerback in the Big Ten, right behind Ponds.
Adding some depth in the secondary was a high priority for Indiana in the offseason, and for good reason. The Hoosiers gave up 237.8 passing yards per game in 2023, which was tied for second worst in the Big Ten and 86th overall at the FBS level. The defense also gave up an average of almost 13 yards on each completion and gave up 25 touchdowns.
Doss’s productivity and experience can be very useful for a new-look defense and a younger cornerback room. Doss could line up on the outside as he has, or the staff could opt to use him as a slot corner. Either way, with Indiana’s depth up in the air and plenty of playing time opportunities, Doss should prove to be a useful piece of the puzzle during the upcoming season.
Venson Sneed
Sneed also comes into the 2024 season with limited experience but with a bit more playing time compared to Jones. Sneed appeared in all 12 games last season for the Hoosiers and accounted for five total tackles and a forced fumble.
Indiana’s depth on the defensive line, and more specifically with edge rushers, is a big question mark coming into the year. Lanell Carr Jr. and Jacob Mangum-Farrar, along with transfer Mikail Kamara are the most notable candidates for the bulk of the snaps. But there is an opportunity for Sneed when Indiana rotates.
Indiana is going to need some more production this year from their D-line if they want to earn a spot back on the map of relevancy. Indiana ranked last in the Big Ten in sacks in 2023, totaling just 20 for the season. Sneed provides athleticism and quickness on the edge, which could come from his basketball background in high school. If the Hoosiers look to go deep on the defensive side, Sneed should be ready to step into a more prominent role this season.
Nic Toomer
Going back to the secondary, there are several different position changes for returning players that will be interesting to follow along throughout the season. One of those adjustments has been the move from corner to safety by Nic Toomer. Toomer transferred in from Stanford last season and started seven of the eight games he appeared. Injuries limited his time last year, as he dealt with some problems early and after the 2023 season.
Safety was another position that needed some depth answers in the offseason, but the coaching staff decided to stay in-house. Toomer, who was originally recruited as a safety out of high school, will now switch back to that role for the upcoming season.
Toomer has some competition with what might just be the most difficult to predict position when it comes to the depth chart. The Hoosiers have eight other safeties competing for snaps.
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