No Rush – Quarterback Competition Is Heating Up
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - When it comes to Indiana’s next starting quarterback, development is crucial, patience is necessary and, in so many ways, competition breeds compatibility.
The Hoosiers remain deep into the find-the-right-guy process as Brendan Sorsby, Tayven Jackson, and Broc Lowry navigate the quarterback challenge, and while spring practice will end with Saturday’s Spring Football Saturday at Memorial Stadium, the competition won’t.
If you think this means quarterback-room tension, think again.
“They are really great with each other, which is always an interesting dynamic, in terms of the meeting rooms and on the practice field and off the field,” head coach Tom Allen says. “You have high-quality young men that have a lot of talent, and that are highly competitive.
“They want to be the guy without question, but the thing that sticks out is that they encourage each other. It's not like they are trying to be an adversary. I don't sense that whatsoever. They are teammates. I like the way they are working.”
Sorsby and Jackson have college experience edge, although it comes in limited doses. Sorsby played in one game for IU last season. Jackson played in three at Tennessee. Lowry, a true freshman just a few months removed from high school, is still acclimating.
Allen sees no need to rush to name a starter. Saturday’s final spring scrimmage, summer work, and fall camp competition will give coaches a full sense of who is best equipped to lead the offense, starting with the season opener against Ohio State.
“There is back and forth, good days where one might take the lead, and then the next day the other one,” Allen says. “They are both young. They are both learning and making plays. This a process you go through. We are not even ready to say who is in the lead at this point.”
IU tries to accelerate quarterback development through live practice sessions and two-minute drills. It’s not full-contact, full-throttle action, but it creates similar intensity.
“We’re trying to create as many game-like situations as possible, create as much stress and pressure on them, even as much chaos, as possible,” Allen says. “It is what it is. We can’t make it exactly like a game, but that’s the only way to get them ready for a game.
“The one thing about experience, there’s only one way to get it. When you don’t have it, you have to find ways. That’s why the time we have between now and September is huge. It’s everything we do.
“It’s a challenge, but there have been other (young quarterbacks) who have played.”
Jackson has a heralded background. He was a four-star prospect at Indiana’s Center Grove High School and led the Trojans to a 28-0 record and consecutive 6A state titlees in his last two seasons. He spent a year at Tennessee -- completing three passes for 37 yards in three games -- before transferring to IU.
His adjustment was helped by enrolling for the second semester.
“Being here in January was huge,” Allen says, “and he knew some of our guys already, which helped. At the same time, you have to earn that ability to speak.”
Jackson and Sorsby earned it well enough to make the program’s leadership council.
“They don't have a hard time communicating and speaking,” Allen says. “They have that confidence about them, which is really good.
“Any time you come in new, you have to establish yourself in the weight room, establish yourself by how you work, how you practice, and how you handle it when things don't go your way.”
Leadership is a huge part of great quarterback play. So is mastering the offense. The scheme designed by offensive coordinator Walt Bell aims for run-and-pass balance, generating big plays, getting skill players such as Jaylin Lucas and Kamryn Perry the ball in space, and stretching defenses to the breaking point.
Receiver Donavan McCulley sees the quarterback potential.
“They’re doing well," he says. "They keep progressing every day. It’s a battle right now. We’ll have to wait to see who will come out with that top spot.”
As for Jackson, McCulley adds, “He’s really good. He throws a great ball. It’s catchable. After practice, we work on routes and getting our chemistry down.
Evaluation includes measurables such as completion percentage, first downs and points, but the bottom line is simple:
Win.
“I love the way they are working,” Allen says. “I am excited about them. They've shown that they can run our offense and lead our team, which is great.
“We still have a lot of time ahead of us. There are a lot of things to be decided.”
