Growing Fast -- IU’s Football Prospects Start Up Front

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's next big football jump starts by thinking big -- as in the offensive line.

"We are only as good," head coach Tom Allen says, "as we are up front."

Spring practice approaches the halfway point and the Hoosiers' lofty prospects –--the benefit of a 6-2 season that included Big Ten-rocking victories over Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin -- depend on a line capable of consistently opening running holes and providing strong pass protection.

"I am very encouraged by their progress," Allen says. "We have a lot of guys we are rotating in there. That is by design to get a lot of guys reps and preparation. I have been encouraged by their growth."

You can't have enough offensive line size, skill, and depth, which makes the position a priority unlike any other, especially after a season of inconsistent running (IU ranked 12th in the Big Ten with a 108-yard-per-game average).

Veterans must mix with young prospects such as Randy Holtz (a 6-7, 340-pound redshirt freshman out of Fort Wayne Snider High School who played in three games last season), Joshua Sales Jr.(a 6-6, 319-pound true freshman out of Brownsburg High School who enrolled for the second semester) and Vinny Fiacable,(a 6-4, 312-pound true freshman out of Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger High School who also enrolled for the second semester).

"It has been huge for (Sales and Fiacable) to get here early, Allen says. "They are two really good players who are strong, come from good programs, and know how to play the position.

"Obviously it's a big jump from high school to college, especially the offensive line. Those guys have been thrown in there and have gotten a lot of quality reps.

"This is Holtz's first spring with us. He is a big man and he is learning how to play the position.

"Luke (Haggard) has really grown and developed. He has gained quite a bit of good weight and looks really good physically."

Meanwhile, bad news hit the quarterback room. Freshman Dexter Williams II tore his ACL during a "non-contact situation," Allen says. He will have surgery in the next couple of weeks. His availability for next season is uncertain. He didn't play last fall.

"It's a big blow to him and to us," Allen says. "It's one of those things that's hard to explain. We have to continue to develop the quarterback room and every other position as well."

With starter Michael Penix Jr. out while recovering from his own torn ACL, that leaves veteran Jack Tuttle and three walk-ons to handle spring practice duties.

"Quarterback continues to be a position in which we need to take advantage of all our guys in the room and put them in a position to keep improving," Allen says.

Tuttle, an Academic All-Big Ten selection, started the final two games last season, leading the Hoosiers to a victory at No. 16 Wisconsin and then an Outback Bowl appearance against Ole Miss. He was 44-for-72 (61.1 percent) for 362 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

"Jack has taken a bunch of reps and has done a good job this spring," Allen says. "That has to continue."

Tuttle is in full agreement.

"I'm trying to keep growing my mental game. Continue working on some throws and meshing together with the units we play with."

As for the extra throwing load, Tuttle says, "It's super important to keep getting reps and continue growing as a player, so I think it's great."

He adds he practices with urgency, not caution.

"Coach Allen protects us (quarterbacks) pretty well in practice. It's not like we're getting hit, so it's full-go, grinding like usual"

As far as walk-ons Zack Merrill, Grant Gremel and Will Jontz, Allen says, "They all do a good job. They were part of our scrimmage and are good, solid players with a high care factor. They got quite a few (scrimmage) reps and did some good things. That's why we recruit a room full of guys who do the little things right."

It also provides a potential opportunity next fall for incoming freshman Donaven McCulley from Indianapolis Lawrence North, a four-star prospect rated as the nation's No. 4 dual-threat prospect after throwing for 6,211 yards, rushing for 1,274, and producing 47 touchdowns in an all-state career.

"This increases the need for Donaven to come in and be ready to go," Allen says. "I have full confidence that he will. I am excited for him and the opportunity it creates."

Last Saturday's first spring scrimmage (including 40 minutes of live action) provided valuable early insight, Allen says.

"It gave us a chance to see who could make plays in space and who could break tackles."

Spring goals of improving fundamentals and technique, and developing depth remain on track.

"A lot of young guys are getting a lot of reps," Allen says, then adds he likes the energy and focus. It hasn't been mistake-free, "But we are getting those corrected every day."

Growing Fast -- IU’s Football Prospects Start Up Front

Players Mentioned

Vince Fiacable

Grant Gremel

Randy Holtz

Will Jontz

Donaven McCulley

Zack Merrill

Michael Penix Jr.

Joshua Sales Jr.

Jack Tuttle

Dexter Williams II

Indiana University Athletics