Indiana University Athletics
QB OR Not QB? That is the Question.
8/20/2018 9:11:00 PM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana redshirt junior Austin Dorris knows about dual-threat quarterbacking.
Dorris, who has emerged at tight end this fall, was quarterbacking Shadyside High School when he earned 2014 Div. VII First-Team All-Ohio honors while throwing for 1,100 yards and running for 1,250.
So Dorris has thoughts about all three dual-threat candidates for Indiana's starting quarterback job in 2018: graduate transfer Brandon Dawkins, redshirt sophomore Peyton Ramsey and true freshman Michael Penix Jr.
(Hint: He likes all three. A lot.)
Dorris has the most familiarity with Ramsey, who played in nine games and started four for IU last fall before Penix enrolled last January and Dawkins arrived in Bloomington this summer.
But after Monday's practice Dorris said, with a laugh, the three QBs share the following trait:
"They're all waaaaaaay better than I was. I was playing in the smallest division in Ohio."
Dorris then elaborated a bit:
"They're all such good athletes. I've been around Peyton a lot more than Dawkins and, well, Penix was here last spring – but Dawkins is just so fast. And he's learning the offense, along with everyone else.
"And I've always said Penix is going to be, has the potential to be, one of the best players in the country. He's so explosive on the plays he makes with his feet and the ability to throw while running. He's incredible.
"And Peyton is just the most consistent guy on the team. Every single day he brings the energy, brings the juice, and is just always ready."
And it seems that IU's coaches are about ready to name a quarterback starter.
And are kind of juiced about it.
Head coach Tom Allen and offensive coordinator Mike DeBord both noted the staff planned to meet Monday afternoon to discuss the situation. The intention is to decide before Saturday's mock game.
"I feel good," Allen said of the QB situation. "We're going to meet (Monday) and talk through some things … I've said this all along: I really want to have it announced before our mock game, which is on Saturday of this week.
"I would like to be able to make that final decision, that way we can get our guys in position to get the quality reps that they need to be able to get ready for week one. We'll be making that decision later this week."
Since the NCAA has instigated a new rule that allows freshmen to play in four games and still retain redshirts, that potentially affects Penix.
Allen was asked if such considerations might affect the QB decision in terms of short-term gain versus long-term gain.
"I believe that you can accomplish both," Allen replied. "We're pretty open and honest about where we are and what we need to do. We want to finish (games victoriously). So we're going to pick the guy that helps us finish.
"And that's going to be the guy that sets the stage for the future. Whether he's young or not doesn't really matter. When you win, when you get things done on the field, then that propels you for what's to come."
DeBord said the current situation had achieved some clarity.
"When we say it's more clear, I think we know what each guy is, and that's what's important," DeBord said. "So I feel like we know that now.
"I feel like after watching training camp, and since seeing (scrimmaging) Saturday as well, I think I have a good feel on my end. And I'll share that at the appropriate time."
Such as, roughly, now.
Allen feels the quarterback decision-making has developed naturally and was not hurried.
"I wasn't in a rush to do it," Allen said. "I think that we structured practice in a way that we felt all three of those guys were getting quality reps … I do feel like it has become clearer right now. We haven't had the final meeting, but I do
think that you start figuring out some things.
"And every time you take snaps and make plays, it's become more obvious to me what we need to do. I feel great about the room. I think it's three guys (who are) all going to have to help us when it's all said and done. That excites me. I remember last year at this time, we didn't have three guys that we felt were going to be ready."
Stay tuned, Hoosier fans. Don't touch that dial.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Some other position battles remained unresolved as camp ends and classes begin at IU, but some clear choices have also emerged.
"We have several guys at several spots," Allen said. "(Middle) linebacker is the same way. It's another where we're working through. I think Dameon Willis has risen up and become the lead guy for that spot. But the other guys have to rise up and play.
"Tight end is no different. We have the same thing at receiver. You've got guys you're just creatively trying to get the ball to."
Such as Reese Taylor, the 2017 Indiana Mr. Football who quarterbacked Indianapolis Ben Davis to the 6A state championship. Taylor is nominally at cornerback for IU, but that doesn't mean the Hoosiers aren't exploring ways he might help occasionally spark the offense.
"Reese Taylor is another one of those guys," Allen said. "He's continued to make plays whenever he touches it, which didn't surprise me at all … he does have a unique skill set that we're trying to utilize … we're trying to make sure we do a good job with him.
FRESH FROSH
Taylor is just one of several freshmen who have already caught the coaching staff's collective eye.
Since freshmen can retain redshirts and still play in four games, expect to see a lot of rookies afield. Some figure to be ready earlier than others, and Allen discussed a few who have perhaps surprised with their readiness.
"I would say Micah McFadden is the one who jumps out to me," Allen said of the linebacker from Tampa (Fla.) Plant. "We knew he was a really good player, but sometimes you never know how they're going to come into fall camp and play, handling all the new things that they have to learn.
"Shamar Jones (defensive tackle from Johnstown, Pa.) is another one that we feel like is a guy that has come in and done a really nice job. We think he has a chance to have a niche for us, skill-set-wise.
"I feel like Matt Bjorson (tight end from Hinsdale, Ill.) is another one. He might've been a surprise guy. It's going to be hard to keep him out of that rotation. Really encouraged by him."
And then there is Stevie Scott, the running back Syracuse, N.Y., who also came to Bloomington with potential at linebacker. With some of the veteran runners withheld from Saturday's scrimmage for precautionary purposes, Scott had a chance to shine at that spot.
"Stevie Scott did some really good things," Allen said. "We wanted to give him an opportunity to see what he can do. We know what Morgan (Ellison) can do, what Cole (Gest) can do. Mike Majette is a guy who continues to make a lot of good plays for us and we feel good about his skill set. But just really wanted to see Stevie and he didn't disappoint.
"He's a load and has really good feet and understands how to run, which is part of it. (He) is also picking up blitzes and all the little things that you have to do to be a complete back. He obviously has the size to do that (6-foot-2, 236 pounds), but the mental part is often what challenges a true freshman."
Allen said Scott is sharp mentally but that all freshmen face hurdles. When asked if he expected Scott to flash in camp early, Allen said, "Yes and no. Physically, yes. Mentally, not sure, just because it's just tough. That position, it's hard to pick up all those things. When you go fast, it's even harder.
"He's a bright kid, but that's usually not the reason why they don't pick it up. It's just experience. But the physical part we knew was there. We just had to get the mental part and understand the system. He's been a really pleasant surprise."
HOOSIERS IN PERPETUITY
Allen appeared on the Indianapolis airwaves Sunday, visiting the networks late night sports shows, and also spent part of his Sunday evening in Indianapolis hobnobbing with former Hoosier players at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery.
"We had over 90 players show up," Allen said. "It was awesome. We had guys from the Rose Bowl team, 1967, all the way up to recently, the guys who played for Coach (Kevin) Wilson, and everybody in between.
"It was an awesome night together. I got a chance to meet all of them and talk with them. Had them go around the whole room and give when they played, who they played for, and it was just neat. Several of them mentioned that they'd never done something like that before – to get all those groups together."
Allen intends to make that a habit.
"We did that up in Chicago a couple of weeks ago (during the Big Ten Football Media Days), did that up in Indianapolis last night, and I'm just determined to get these alumni be a part of this thing," Allen said. "Want to let them know about how much we care about them, how important they are to us. They're part of the family. I want them to come back and watch us play, and support us in every way they can, and I want them to feel welcome.
"I want them to know they're part of this team right now. If you played here, you're part of our history and tradition and you're one of our players. I may not have coached you, but I will take you into the fold, because I think that is how it's supposed to be. And they were extremely excited about the direction we're going. They loved the event. And we had a whole lot of fun together. It was pretty neat."
CARING TO TAKE CARE
With the care of players in the news heading into another college football season, Allen talked about how he balances the need to motivate players without adversely affecting either their health or their dignity.
"I think it totally fits with who we are as a program, totally fits with what I believe, and why I got into this profession – and that is I care about kids," Allen said. "I do. That's not just sitting up here and talking because it sounds good. I care
more about them as a person than as a player.
"Now, I want us to win at a high, high level here at Indiana. But I'm not going to do it in a way that degrades a kid, makes him feel less of a person physically or mentally or whatever. I believe kids respond to you when they know you believe in them and that you love them – and when you get to those two points, you can push them extremely hard."
And even then, Allen makes sure the IU training staff is on board.
"And that's the balance. How do you push hard and not go over the line?" he asked rhetorically. "You've got to trust you're support staff. We trust our training staff and when they tell us, 'Hey, you've run enough gassers after practice,' well, then, you've run enough gassers. That's what their job is to do.
"You get emotional and get passionate about wanting to get your guys mentally and physically tough. And we want that. And that's what this game is all about. But at the same time, you've got to do it in a way that keeps them (safe and whole)."
Allen need look no further than the Hoosier wearing jersey No. 44 – linebacker Thomas Allen, the coach's son – as an example of how the coach always intends to treat his players.
"I think when you really look at it, it's 'I'm going to treat you like my son,' " Allen said. "What would I do with my own son?
"Obviously, you're going to love your son and you're going to care about him. You're going to make sure he's going to learn how to be accountable, how to be disciplined, how to do the little things right to be a success in life, but you're also going to take care of him."
And Allen said it is his responsibility to ensure that every staffer in the IU football program has the same approach.
"When you hire somebody, they're a reflection on you," Allen said. "When you hire a strength coach, his behavior and his actions reflect on the head coach. That's the culture of the program. And I get that. I understand that. Everything that goes on in the weight room, even when I'm not physically there, is my responsibility. And it's the same way in anything we're doing in the program.
"We have to understand that it's about accountability, it's about toughness, but it's about love. And I say those three things all the time, and that's the culture of our program. And our kids have bought into it. They know we care about them. And we want to be great together. But I think it's how you do it, the way you do it. And at the end of the day it's the heart with which you do it. I believe in coaching from the heart to the heart, and that's what we do."
SEVEN IS A LUCKY NUMBER
Indiana announced Monday it had added seven players to its official autumn 2018 roster, some of which are familiar names. They are:
Joshua Brown (No. 50, Jr., DL, 6-0, 255, Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough); Jack Moran (No. 35, Fr., WR, 6-2, 185, Northfield, Ill./Loyola Academy); Mike Fiacable (No. 7, Jr., QB, 6-1, 208, Ft. Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger); Elijah Hiltunen (No. 89, Fr., K, Indianapolis, Ind./North Central); Nathaneal Snyder (No. 99, So., K, 6-1, 190, Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove); Jeremy Boyd (No. 38, Fr., DB, 5-9, 182, Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis); LeShaun Minor Jr. (No. 93, So., DL, 6-3, 310, Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis).
Coach Allen also added that sophomore offensive lineman Grayson Stover's application for medical redshirt status had received NCAA approval, so Stover will remain on scholarship but won't play.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana redshirt junior Austin Dorris knows about dual-threat quarterbacking.
Dorris, who has emerged at tight end this fall, was quarterbacking Shadyside High School when he earned 2014 Div. VII First-Team All-Ohio honors while throwing for 1,100 yards and running for 1,250.
So Dorris has thoughts about all three dual-threat candidates for Indiana's starting quarterback job in 2018: graduate transfer Brandon Dawkins, redshirt sophomore Peyton Ramsey and true freshman Michael Penix Jr.
(Hint: He likes all three. A lot.)
Dorris has the most familiarity with Ramsey, who played in nine games and started four for IU last fall before Penix enrolled last January and Dawkins arrived in Bloomington this summer.
But after Monday's practice Dorris said, with a laugh, the three QBs share the following trait:
"They're all waaaaaaay better than I was. I was playing in the smallest division in Ohio."
Dorris then elaborated a bit:
"They're all such good athletes. I've been around Peyton a lot more than Dawkins and, well, Penix was here last spring – but Dawkins is just so fast. And he's learning the offense, along with everyone else.
"And I've always said Penix is going to be, has the potential to be, one of the best players in the country. He's so explosive on the plays he makes with his feet and the ability to throw while running. He's incredible.
"And Peyton is just the most consistent guy on the team. Every single day he brings the energy, brings the juice, and is just always ready."
And it seems that IU's coaches are about ready to name a quarterback starter.
And are kind of juiced about it.
Head coach Tom Allen and offensive coordinator Mike DeBord both noted the staff planned to meet Monday afternoon to discuss the situation. The intention is to decide before Saturday's mock game.
"I feel good," Allen said of the QB situation. "We're going to meet (Monday) and talk through some things … I've said this all along: I really want to have it announced before our mock game, which is on Saturday of this week.
"I would like to be able to make that final decision, that way we can get our guys in position to get the quality reps that they need to be able to get ready for week one. We'll be making that decision later this week."
Since the NCAA has instigated a new rule that allows freshmen to play in four games and still retain redshirts, that potentially affects Penix.
Allen was asked if such considerations might affect the QB decision in terms of short-term gain versus long-term gain.
"I believe that you can accomplish both," Allen replied. "We're pretty open and honest about where we are and what we need to do. We want to finish (games victoriously). So we're going to pick the guy that helps us finish.
"And that's going to be the guy that sets the stage for the future. Whether he's young or not doesn't really matter. When you win, when you get things done on the field, then that propels you for what's to come."
DeBord said the current situation had achieved some clarity.
"When we say it's more clear, I think we know what each guy is, and that's what's important," DeBord said. "So I feel like we know that now.
"I feel like after watching training camp, and since seeing (scrimmaging) Saturday as well, I think I have a good feel on my end. And I'll share that at the appropriate time."
Such as, roughly, now.
Allen feels the quarterback decision-making has developed naturally and was not hurried.
"I wasn't in a rush to do it," Allen said. "I think that we structured practice in a way that we felt all three of those guys were getting quality reps … I do feel like it has become clearer right now. We haven't had the final meeting, but I do
think that you start figuring out some things.
"And every time you take snaps and make plays, it's become more obvious to me what we need to do. I feel great about the room. I think it's three guys (who are) all going to have to help us when it's all said and done. That excites me. I remember last year at this time, we didn't have three guys that we felt were going to be ready."
Stay tuned, Hoosier fans. Don't touch that dial.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Some other position battles remained unresolved as camp ends and classes begin at IU, but some clear choices have also emerged.
"We have several guys at several spots," Allen said. "(Middle) linebacker is the same way. It's another where we're working through. I think Dameon Willis has risen up and become the lead guy for that spot. But the other guys have to rise up and play.
"Tight end is no different. We have the same thing at receiver. You've got guys you're just creatively trying to get the ball to."
Such as Reese Taylor, the 2017 Indiana Mr. Football who quarterbacked Indianapolis Ben Davis to the 6A state championship. Taylor is nominally at cornerback for IU, but that doesn't mean the Hoosiers aren't exploring ways he might help occasionally spark the offense.
"Reese Taylor is another one of those guys," Allen said. "He's continued to make plays whenever he touches it, which didn't surprise me at all … he does have a unique skill set that we're trying to utilize … we're trying to make sure we do a good job with him.
FRESH FROSH
Taylor is just one of several freshmen who have already caught the coaching staff's collective eye.
Since freshmen can retain redshirts and still play in four games, expect to see a lot of rookies afield. Some figure to be ready earlier than others, and Allen discussed a few who have perhaps surprised with their readiness.
"I would say Micah McFadden is the one who jumps out to me," Allen said of the linebacker from Tampa (Fla.) Plant. "We knew he was a really good player, but sometimes you never know how they're going to come into fall camp and play, handling all the new things that they have to learn.
"Shamar Jones (defensive tackle from Johnstown, Pa.) is another one that we feel like is a guy that has come in and done a really nice job. We think he has a chance to have a niche for us, skill-set-wise.
"I feel like Matt Bjorson (tight end from Hinsdale, Ill.) is another one. He might've been a surprise guy. It's going to be hard to keep him out of that rotation. Really encouraged by him."
And then there is Stevie Scott, the running back Syracuse, N.Y., who also came to Bloomington with potential at linebacker. With some of the veteran runners withheld from Saturday's scrimmage for precautionary purposes, Scott had a chance to shine at that spot.
"Stevie Scott did some really good things," Allen said. "We wanted to give him an opportunity to see what he can do. We know what Morgan (Ellison) can do, what Cole (Gest) can do. Mike Majette is a guy who continues to make a lot of good plays for us and we feel good about his skill set. But just really wanted to see Stevie and he didn't disappoint.
"He's a load and has really good feet and understands how to run, which is part of it. (He) is also picking up blitzes and all the little things that you have to do to be a complete back. He obviously has the size to do that (6-foot-2, 236 pounds), but the mental part is often what challenges a true freshman."
Allen said Scott is sharp mentally but that all freshmen face hurdles. When asked if he expected Scott to flash in camp early, Allen said, "Yes and no. Physically, yes. Mentally, not sure, just because it's just tough. That position, it's hard to pick up all those things. When you go fast, it's even harder.
"He's a bright kid, but that's usually not the reason why they don't pick it up. It's just experience. But the physical part we knew was there. We just had to get the mental part and understand the system. He's been a really pleasant surprise."
HOOSIERS IN PERPETUITY
Allen appeared on the Indianapolis airwaves Sunday, visiting the networks late night sports shows, and also spent part of his Sunday evening in Indianapolis hobnobbing with former Hoosier players at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery.
"We had over 90 players show up," Allen said. "It was awesome. We had guys from the Rose Bowl team, 1967, all the way up to recently, the guys who played for Coach (Kevin) Wilson, and everybody in between.
"It was an awesome night together. I got a chance to meet all of them and talk with them. Had them go around the whole room and give when they played, who they played for, and it was just neat. Several of them mentioned that they'd never done something like that before – to get all those groups together."
Allen intends to make that a habit.
"We did that up in Chicago a couple of weeks ago (during the Big Ten Football Media Days), did that up in Indianapolis last night, and I'm just determined to get these alumni be a part of this thing," Allen said. "Want to let them know about how much we care about them, how important they are to us. They're part of the family. I want them to come back and watch us play, and support us in every way they can, and I want them to feel welcome.
"I want them to know they're part of this team right now. If you played here, you're part of our history and tradition and you're one of our players. I may not have coached you, but I will take you into the fold, because I think that is how it's supposed to be. And they were extremely excited about the direction we're going. They loved the event. And we had a whole lot of fun together. It was pretty neat."
CARING TO TAKE CARE
With the care of players in the news heading into another college football season, Allen talked about how he balances the need to motivate players without adversely affecting either their health or their dignity.
"I think it totally fits with who we are as a program, totally fits with what I believe, and why I got into this profession – and that is I care about kids," Allen said. "I do. That's not just sitting up here and talking because it sounds good. I care
more about them as a person than as a player.
"Now, I want us to win at a high, high level here at Indiana. But I'm not going to do it in a way that degrades a kid, makes him feel less of a person physically or mentally or whatever. I believe kids respond to you when they know you believe in them and that you love them – and when you get to those two points, you can push them extremely hard."
And even then, Allen makes sure the IU training staff is on board.
"And that's the balance. How do you push hard and not go over the line?" he asked rhetorically. "You've got to trust you're support staff. We trust our training staff and when they tell us, 'Hey, you've run enough gassers after practice,' well, then, you've run enough gassers. That's what their job is to do.
"You get emotional and get passionate about wanting to get your guys mentally and physically tough. And we want that. And that's what this game is all about. But at the same time, you've got to do it in a way that keeps them (safe and whole)."
Allen need look no further than the Hoosier wearing jersey No. 44 – linebacker Thomas Allen, the coach's son – as an example of how the coach always intends to treat his players.
"I think when you really look at it, it's 'I'm going to treat you like my son,' " Allen said. "What would I do with my own son?
"Obviously, you're going to love your son and you're going to care about him. You're going to make sure he's going to learn how to be accountable, how to be disciplined, how to do the little things right to be a success in life, but you're also going to take care of him."
And Allen said it is his responsibility to ensure that every staffer in the IU football program has the same approach.
"When you hire somebody, they're a reflection on you," Allen said. "When you hire a strength coach, his behavior and his actions reflect on the head coach. That's the culture of the program. And I get that. I understand that. Everything that goes on in the weight room, even when I'm not physically there, is my responsibility. And it's the same way in anything we're doing in the program.
"We have to understand that it's about accountability, it's about toughness, but it's about love. And I say those three things all the time, and that's the culture of our program. And our kids have bought into it. They know we care about them. And we want to be great together. But I think it's how you do it, the way you do it. And at the end of the day it's the heart with which you do it. I believe in coaching from the heart to the heart, and that's what we do."
SEVEN IS A LUCKY NUMBER
Indiana announced Monday it had added seven players to its official autumn 2018 roster, some of which are familiar names. They are:
Joshua Brown (No. 50, Jr., DL, 6-0, 255, Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough); Jack Moran (No. 35, Fr., WR, 6-2, 185, Northfield, Ill./Loyola Academy); Mike Fiacable (No. 7, Jr., QB, 6-1, 208, Ft. Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger); Elijah Hiltunen (No. 89, Fr., K, Indianapolis, Ind./North Central); Nathaneal Snyder (No. 99, So., K, 6-1, 190, Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove); Jeremy Boyd (No. 38, Fr., DB, 5-9, 182, Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis); LeShaun Minor Jr. (No. 93, So., DL, 6-3, 310, Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis).
Coach Allen also added that sophomore offensive lineman Grayson Stover's application for medical redshirt status had received NCAA approval, so Stover will remain on scholarship but won't play.
Players Mentioned
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TE
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DB
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DL
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TE
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QB
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K
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DL
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RB
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LB
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DL
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WR
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QB
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QB
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OL
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ATH
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