All Systems Go for Ohio State Season Opener
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana continues to build toward a football season opener to remember -- next Saturday’s Memorial Stadium showdown against Ohio State -- and all Cream & Crimson systems are go.
The Hoosiers have established their two-deep. Their defensive line is bigger, stronger, and more athletic. Their offensive line seems ready for a turnaround performance. There are difference makers at the key offensive and defensive skill positions, some established (think Jaylin Lucas, Cam Camper, and Aaron Casey), some ready to make their marks (consider Andre Carter and Lanell Carr Jr.).
“I feel good about where we are,” head coach Tom Allen says.
Poised for a breakthrough is 6-foot-1, 190-pound redshirt freshman cornerback Jamari Sharpe. He saw limited action in three games last year, but projects as one of IU’s top three cornerbacks. He’s recorded a 4.3-second time in the 40-yard dash after finishing as a state track place-winner in high school in Florida.
“He’s been one of the guys we targeted and say we’d like to see him step up and elevate,” Allen says. “He’s got length. He’s extremely fast. He was an elite sprinter in high school.
“We are encouraged by his progress. He’s right there. He’s one of our top two to three corners. He will play a lot and might even be a starter. He has those traits you’re looking for.
“He will have a chance to be tested at a high level on Week 1. It will be an opportunity for him to prove who he is.”
Quarterback intrigue looms for both IU and Ohio State. Neither team has named a starter and the Buckeyes might have two.
For IU, Tayven Jackson or Brandan Sorsby have battled throughout fall camp. Allen and offensive coordinator Walt Bell made a decision after the second scrimmage.
Allen says Jackson and Sorsby, who have a combined six college completions as redshirt sophomores, are talented, hard-working, and developing. Jackson is a little more mobile, but Sorsby can handle the running duties the Hoosiers envision for the quarterback.
“Both are guys we can win with,” Allen says.
Sorsby played sparingly for the Hoosiers last season. Jackson transferred from Tennessee last December.
“You’re looking for a guy to be able to command that side of the football, lead that side of the football, and that’s with leadership and production,” Allen says. “You’ve got to make plays and run the offense. When you don’t huddle you have to be able to command and make checks and adjustments, and articulate things and all the different roles that go into that. You’re looking for all those things.”
Evaluation came from charting every practice and scrimmage rep, as well as analyzing how each performed during live practice periods, even how they interacted with teammates. Allen says he challenged both of them on leadership, and both responded well.
“You go through all that and decide, who gives us the best chance to win?” Allen says. “I feel really good about the process we go through.”
Don’t forget Dexter Williams II. He had emerged as the starter last season until suffering a season-ending knee injury. The dual-threat quarterback is practicing, but isn’t likely to be ready until at least October.
“Dexter continues to progress, and it’s an ongoing thing,” Allen says. “Once he’s (available), then we’ll continue to see what he can do from a mobility perspective. He continues to throw, he’ll continue to develop, and he’ll practice with us, and do everything he can do to be able to be (back).”
Allen pushes the multiple-quarterback option. Can you blame him? The last Hoosier quarterback to play an entire season was Peyton Ramsey in 2018. Richard Lagow in 2016 and Ben Chappell in 2010 were the only others to play a whole season in the last 12 years.
“We have to have multiple quarterbacks,” Allen says.
For Ohio State, coach Ryan Day says Kyle McCord and Devin Brown both graded as champions coming out of its last scrimmage. He said his coaching staff was split 50-50 when asked who should start.
McCord was a four-star prospect out of Philadelphia in 2021 and spent last season as C.J. Stroud’s backup. Brown, a four-star prospect from Texas, arrived a year later. He was injured last spring, but made up ground over the summer and August camp.
Day has indicated both will play, which increases IU’s preparation time.