Indiana University Athletics
IU Quarterback Brotherhood Features ‘Team’ Not ‘Me’
4/5/2019 10:07:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - This wasn't the time for hugs, or was it?
Shouldn't we expect this Indiana's quarterback competition to turn nasty now that it is officially a three-man battle between Peyton Ramsey, Jack Tuttle and Michael Penix Jr.?
Not a chance.
Just listen to what the trio had to say following Thursday's practice.
The context -- you win as a team, you lose as individuals.
This was Penix's take:
"Everybody always says competition," the redshirt freshman said. "We're all going out there doing the best we can for the team, not for ourselves. If you ask me, Peyton or Jack, we're all going to say the same thing. We're coming out here to do our best for the team. We just want what's best for the team and have a good season this year."
Then there's Tuttle, who is new to Hoosier ways, but not to making big plays. The Utah transfer was, after all, a four-star high school prospect coming out of California good enough to throw for 3,171 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions as a senior.
"Those two are great guys," he said. "All I can tell you is we're pushing each other. We're having fun and competing, and we're supporting each other."
Quarterback is a position like no other in sports. It's an all-too-visible combination of leadership, poise, commitment and production. Adding to the Cream & Crimson challenge is learning new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer's new attack.
Ramsey, the returning starter who is forever beating back challenges, is more than ready for the challenge, in part because he's speaking up as never before.
After two seasons helping to run the Hoosier show, and totaling 4,127 passing yards, 580 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns, Ramsey has earned that voice.
"I think actually playing has given me the ability to speak up more and guys are going to listen," he said. "I've earned that trust and that respect. When guys mess up here or there, it's about correcting them because they are going to listen. It's just a matter of continuing to sharpen the little things and get those young guys corrected."
Ramsey exudes substance over flash. He will make the right decision, complete the makeable pass, keep the chains moving and do all the little things that matter.
That's why, when asked about his spring performance, Ramsey instantly turned it into a team analysis.
"It's the timing of routes. There's only so many things you can focus on in a new offense. If you try to do too much, it might get a little hectic. I think just working on the timing with the guys I've been working with for a long time in Donavan (Hale), Whop (Philyor), Nick (Westbrook), Ty (Fryfogle), so all of those guys coming back and just continuing to work with them on timing. It's been fun because they are getting better too."
Penix is part of that getting-better process. He showed flashes of strong-arm potential during his three games last season (219 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 61.8 percent completions). Recovery from ACL surgery is on schedule. While he can't participate in contact drills or scrimmages, he can watch from behind while Ramsey and Tuttle do the work.
"I feel that I've done real well," he said about his spring performance. "Just being in it, every single rep I'm watching, paying attention. Getting a whole bunch of mental reps. That's helping a lot."
As far as his spring goals, Penix said, "Get better. Every day you want to get better. There's always room for improvement. Just want to get better the best way I can."
Tuttle can relate to that. He spent most of the spring wondering when he'd be able to play. This week the NCAA ruled he could play right away, and would have four years of eligibility.
"It's very relieving," he said. "Now the team and I can focus on anything but that. We don't have to worry about it. It's not nerve wracking anymore. Now we can put our focus on other things."
Such as -- yes -- getting better.
"I want to improve my craft, mental game, physical and keep on grinding," Tuttle said.
Adapting to the Hoosier way, he added, hasn't been as difficult as one might imagine.
"I think it's been really easy. The guys here are phenomenal and very respectful, and have been very supportive to me and each other."
Installing the new offense remains a work in progress, Tuttle said.
"It has its hiccups sometimes. It's a process. It's gone pretty well. Coach DeBoer is a really smart guy. We're just working together as a team to get it all installed."
Penix is especially upbeat about DeBoer's diverse attack.
"It's been going great. Everything's looking really good. The offense is coming together. We love what Coach DeBoer has brought and we're all working hard to make sure that we execute it."
It is not, he added, a huge change from what retired offensive coordinator Mike DeBord ran.
"It's been going good. It's not too much different. It's different play calls. We do a lot of the same things. Everybody is doing their best to try and pick up on that. I think it's going real good."
Ramsey faces the biggest adjustment given he'd spent two years in DeBord's system.
"It's definitely been a process," he said. "Putting in and learning new terminology, new words.
"Guys are learning. Guys are making mistakes. That's all part of it. We're getting better every day.
"I think Coach DeBoer and all the other offensive coaches are really pleased with where we are at because there is progress every day. There is going to be mistakes in every practice, but there are very few times where we are making the same mistakes over and over. It's been exciting to see young guys grow, learn from their mistakes and learn that new verbiage."
Spring excitement will culminate with the April 12 Cream & Crimson Game kicking off at 7 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium.
Ramsey can't wait.
"The spring game is always fun. It's a good way to end a good 14 days of hard work. Just compete against each other. Go out and have a lot of fun. I know we are all looking forward to it."
Added Penix: "I'm looking forward to great sportsmanship. Everybody playing their hearts out and showing that Indiana, we have something coming."
It will all be new to Tuttle.
"I'm looking forward to having fun with my teammates. Competing. Winning. Trying to win. Everyone is trying to win. Getting better."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - This wasn't the time for hugs, or was it?
Shouldn't we expect this Indiana's quarterback competition to turn nasty now that it is officially a three-man battle between Peyton Ramsey, Jack Tuttle and Michael Penix Jr.?
Not a chance.
Just listen to what the trio had to say following Thursday's practice.
The context -- you win as a team, you lose as individuals.
This was Penix's take:
"Everybody always says competition," the redshirt freshman said. "We're all going out there doing the best we can for the team, not for ourselves. If you ask me, Peyton or Jack, we're all going to say the same thing. We're coming out here to do our best for the team. We just want what's best for the team and have a good season this year."
Then there's Tuttle, who is new to Hoosier ways, but not to making big plays. The Utah transfer was, after all, a four-star high school prospect coming out of California good enough to throw for 3,171 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions as a senior.
"Those two are great guys," he said. "All I can tell you is we're pushing each other. We're having fun and competing, and we're supporting each other."
Quarterback is a position like no other in sports. It's an all-too-visible combination of leadership, poise, commitment and production. Adding to the Cream & Crimson challenge is learning new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer's new attack.
Ramsey, the returning starter who is forever beating back challenges, is more than ready for the challenge, in part because he's speaking up as never before.
After two seasons helping to run the Hoosier show, and totaling 4,127 passing yards, 580 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns, Ramsey has earned that voice.
"I think actually playing has given me the ability to speak up more and guys are going to listen," he said. "I've earned that trust and that respect. When guys mess up here or there, it's about correcting them because they are going to listen. It's just a matter of continuing to sharpen the little things and get those young guys corrected."
Ramsey exudes substance over flash. He will make the right decision, complete the makeable pass, keep the chains moving and do all the little things that matter.
That's why, when asked about his spring performance, Ramsey instantly turned it into a team analysis.
"It's the timing of routes. There's only so many things you can focus on in a new offense. If you try to do too much, it might get a little hectic. I think just working on the timing with the guys I've been working with for a long time in Donavan (Hale), Whop (Philyor), Nick (Westbrook), Ty (Fryfogle), so all of those guys coming back and just continuing to work with them on timing. It's been fun because they are getting better too."
Penix is part of that getting-better process. He showed flashes of strong-arm potential during his three games last season (219 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 61.8 percent completions). Recovery from ACL surgery is on schedule. While he can't participate in contact drills or scrimmages, he can watch from behind while Ramsey and Tuttle do the work.
"I feel that I've done real well," he said about his spring performance. "Just being in it, every single rep I'm watching, paying attention. Getting a whole bunch of mental reps. That's helping a lot."
As far as his spring goals, Penix said, "Get better. Every day you want to get better. There's always room for improvement. Just want to get better the best way I can."
Tuttle can relate to that. He spent most of the spring wondering when he'd be able to play. This week the NCAA ruled he could play right away, and would have four years of eligibility.
"It's very relieving," he said. "Now the team and I can focus on anything but that. We don't have to worry about it. It's not nerve wracking anymore. Now we can put our focus on other things."
Such as -- yes -- getting better.
"I want to improve my craft, mental game, physical and keep on grinding," Tuttle said.
Adapting to the Hoosier way, he added, hasn't been as difficult as one might imagine.
"I think it's been really easy. The guys here are phenomenal and very respectful, and have been very supportive to me and each other."
Installing the new offense remains a work in progress, Tuttle said.
"It has its hiccups sometimes. It's a process. It's gone pretty well. Coach DeBoer is a really smart guy. We're just working together as a team to get it all installed."
Penix is especially upbeat about DeBoer's diverse attack.
"It's been going great. Everything's looking really good. The offense is coming together. We love what Coach DeBoer has brought and we're all working hard to make sure that we execute it."
It is not, he added, a huge change from what retired offensive coordinator Mike DeBord ran.
"It's been going good. It's not too much different. It's different play calls. We do a lot of the same things. Everybody is doing their best to try and pick up on that. I think it's going real good."
Ramsey faces the biggest adjustment given he'd spent two years in DeBord's system.
"It's definitely been a process," he said. "Putting in and learning new terminology, new words.
"Guys are learning. Guys are making mistakes. That's all part of it. We're getting better every day.
"I think Coach DeBoer and all the other offensive coaches are really pleased with where we are at because there is progress every day. There is going to be mistakes in every practice, but there are very few times where we are making the same mistakes over and over. It's been exciting to see young guys grow, learn from their mistakes and learn that new verbiage."
Spring excitement will culminate with the April 12 Cream & Crimson Game kicking off at 7 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium.
Ramsey can't wait.
"The spring game is always fun. It's a good way to end a good 14 days of hard work. Just compete against each other. Go out and have a lot of fun. I know we are all looking forward to it."
Added Penix: "I'm looking forward to great sportsmanship. Everybody playing their hearts out and showing that Indiana, we have something coming."
It will all be new to Tuttle.
"I'm looking forward to having fun with my teammates. Competing. Winning. Trying to win. Everyone is trying to win. Getting better."
Players Mentioned
FB: Curt Cignetti - Pre-Rose Bowl Game Virtual Teleconference
Monday, December 22
FB: Fernando Mendoza - Heisman Trophy Press Conference (12/15/25)
Monday, December 15
FB: Curt Cignetti - Pre-Heisman Press Conference
Wednesday, December 10
FB: Fernando Mendoza - Pre-Heisman Press Conference
Tuesday, December 09