‘Quality Work’ Continues as Spring Practice Reaches Final Week
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The wear and tear from Indiana’s 16-0 national championship season remain as spring football nears its Thursday night spring game conclusion, as does the optimism that something special is again within range.
So, while injuries have sidelined 17 players, including six starters on offense and defense, plus key backups, work and development remain at a high level in a program that took the next-man-up approach to title-winning effectiveness last season.
“We will look a lot different in the fall,” head coach Curt Cignetti says. “We’ve got a number of guys not practicing. It’s partially the effect of a 16-game season or an injury in season or a new guy that came to us that was injured during his season and had surgery. We had a couple guys show up that needed some surgery.
“We've had a couple more little minor things during spring ball than we normally do, but nothing serious. I thought we got quality work in, and we are getting near the end.”
Quarterback is a key as the Hoosiers transition from Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, projected to be the No. 1 pick in Thursday night’s opening round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
TCU transfer Josh Hoover leads the way with Grant Wilson, Tyler Cherry, Jacob Bell and Maverick Geske behind him.
“We are still putting new stuff in, so (Hoover is) learning the offense,” Cignetti says. “He's probably about where most of the other quarterbacks have been at this point in the spring.
“We're a little thin on the offensive line, so when we go to team periods the protection isn't the best in the world, and he doesn't have a lot of time to get rid of the ball.
“The younger guys are developing. Grant Wilson went a few days without reps but then took the 2s in a scrimmage. I thought he did a really good job and moved the team; then he moved the team again in practice.
“Tyler Cherry continues to develop. He's had that knee (injury that sidelined him last season), but I think he's further along than he was as a freshman for sure. We'll see what he looks like when we go back to August camp.
“Jacob Bell has got a gun. He’s got to become a little bit more accurate and do a little bit better job of processing, but it's hard because reps are limited. Maverick knows how to play quarterback. It's a work in progress.”
That’s true in multiple other areas this spring.
Special teams retain Big Ten Kicker of the Year Nico Radicic (18-for-19 on field goals last year, 29-for-31 for his career), but there are holes to fill at punter, long snapper and kick and punt returners.
Quinn Warren returns after handling some of the kickoff and punting duties last season. He averaged 48.0 yards on six punts and 62.4 yards on 56 kickoffs.
IU brought in Australian punter Billy Gowers from Hawai'i and Ireland kicker Paddy McAteer from Troy, as well as transfer long snapper Drew Clausen from Iowa State, plus true freshman Jackson Tollen from Hamilton Southeastern High School near Indianapolis.
“There’s good competition there,” Cignetti says. “Paddy has done a nice job on kickoffs and will compete into fall camp. Paddy is sort of like (Brendan Franke, last year’s long field goal and kickoff specialist). He’s a long field goal guy if we think it’s a little far for Nico depending on the wind and circumstances. He hit a 57-yarder in the scrimmage with room to spare, right down the middle.
“Quinn and Billy are both good punters.
“I’ve been impressed with all the new guys we’ve brought in. There’s competition at short and long snapper.”
Cignetti is hopeful about the defensive end position with returning veteran Daniel Ndukwe (13 tackles, three for loss last season) and Kansas State transfer Tobi Osunsanmi (49 career tackles, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in four seasons).
Injuries forced Ndukwe into a big postseason role and he took advantage with key playoff plays against Alabama, Oregon, and Miami.
“We’ve had guys in and out a little bit,” Cignetti says. “Ndukwe’s back has been bothering him some, but he was out there (last Thursday). He’s developing as a player. We’ve got to keep him on the field.
“Tobi from Kansas State has certainly flashed. We have some young guys there, too. They have a future. We go to fall camp, and once these guys have had their second taste of it, I’ll know a lot more.”