IUFB Offseason Updates

[Stuhoo]

7 minutes ago, IndyHoosier1997 said:

That’s true, im not super concerned about depth at some of those, particularly WR and secondary. 
 

We have some depth issues at corner, but Ponds/Sharpe/Grandy/Knighten are four legit corners and we have some young guys who were highly touted too, Jah Jah Boyd for one. 
 

WR is somewhat similar. Cooper/Sarratt are undeniably your top two but you still have EJ Williams/Jonathan Brady/Makai Jackson behind those guys, and then a couple young guys who will probably be getting reps like a LeBron Bond or a Davion Chandler. 
 

I will say I am really interested to see who wins that WR #3 job, I think Brady is the best body type for it, but that’ll be an interesting battle with Tyler Morris going down. 
 

Interior defensive line is the one position group I’m not sure we have a ton of depth or high end talent, but I’d love to be wrong. 

Carpenter was an excellent player but was an overachiever - he can be replaced. But CJ West? Them's some (literally) big shoes to fill.

[Lebowski]

2 hours ago, IndyHoosier1997 said:

One major worry I have is interior D-Line. 
 

Thought Tyrique Tucker was pretty great as a reserve last season, and then I expect Hosea Wheeler to take over the other starting spot. 
 

Dominique Ratcliff I expect to be the main reserve.

I don’t know, I just think West/Carpenter were big losses, particularly West. Hope the new guys can fill that void because it’s a big one. That’s about the one position group I’m worried about falling off a bit. 

An absolute legitimate concern. Both Carpenter and West are hard to replace. I think the biggest difference this year compared to last year is our overall depth (8 total) in that position. Tucker, Wheeler, and Ratcliff look to be the main motors but Mario Landino should also be getting some reps. I'm big on Kyler Garcia but he's just a freshman so who knows. 

2 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

I’m worried about depth at OL, DL, WR, and secondary.

Last year we were blessedly injury free. This coming year we are arguably more talented but with less depth.

Not worried at all in all of those positions. Even if we get with the injury bug by our big three I'm still confident with the entire defense.  I'd be worried if we didn't have experience (aka not a true freshman) at every position. 

DT/NT - 8 Total (3 Freshman)
SDE/Stud - 8 Total (2 Freshman)
CB - 7 Total (2 Freshman)
S - 5 Total (2 Freshman)
Rover - 3 Total (1 Freshman)
OL - 13 Total (3 Freshman)
WR - 10 Total (3 Freshman, 1 out due to injury)

The only position that might be of concern is our Safeties but Byron Baldwin is one of the freshmen at that position.  

Here's a breakdown of the roster and depth. 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16pZusTziafkPFkw4q4dwweOtKsWa1t5qlYdi_KQR2rE/edit?gid=0#gid=0

 

[68Hoosier]

9 minutes ago, Lebowski said:

Here's a breakdown of the roster and depth. 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16pZusTziafkPFkw4q4dwweOtKsWa1t5qlYdi_KQR2rE/edit?gid=0#gid=0

 

Great breakdown of the depth chart.  I love the way you have it laid out.  

[Lebowski]

28 minutes ago, 68Hoosier said:

Great breakdown of the depth chart.  I love the way you have it laid out.  

This isn't mine. It belongs to Jamie Jordan. He does a fantastic job of all things IUFB. He just partnered with Hoosier Huddle. I highly recommend following him on X. 

[Demo]

 

Usually put zero stock in pre-season stuff. Couldn’t care less. But Phil Steele is The Man and if he has IU 16 that is encouraging.

[LIHoosier]

Purdont over Bowling Green? Gimme a break.

[Lebowski]

Stealing this from an x post. 

Who do you think is the biggest breakout candidate on the Hoosier defense this year? 
Ex: Rolijah Hardy last year. 

Stephen Daley will be in discussion for all conference and we won't stop talking about all the good things Louis Moore will do on the field by the end of the season.

[OGIUAndy]

15 minutes ago, Demo said:

 

Usually put zero stock in pre-season stuff. Couldn’t care less. But Phil Steele is The Man and if he has IU 16 that is encouraging.

The record might not be the same/better, but this team is going to be very good. Anyone who thinks otherwise is going to be proven wrong. 

[Stuhoo]

16 minutes ago, LIHoosier said:

Purdont over Bowling Green? Gimme a break.

He has Old Dominion as a significantly tougher opponent than Purdump.

[ebridges24]

3 hours ago, Lebowski said:

An absolute legitimate concern. Both Carpenter and West are hard to replace. I think the biggest difference this year compared to last year is our overall depth (8 total) in that position. Tucker, Wheeler, and Ratcliff look to be the main motors but Mario Landino should also be getting some reps. I'm big on Kyler Garcia but he's just a freshman so who knows. 

Not worried at all in all of those positions. Even if we get with the injury bug by our big three I'm still confident with the entire defense.  I'd be worried if we didn't have experience (aka not a true freshman) at every position. 

DT/NT - 8 Total (3 Freshman)
SDE/Stud - 8 Total (2 Freshman)
CB - 7 Total (2 Freshman)
S - 5 Total (2 Freshman)
Rover - 3 Total (1 Freshman)
OL - 13 Total (3 Freshman)
WR - 10 Total (3 Freshman, 1 out due to injury)

The only position that might be of concern is our Safeties but Byron Baldwin is one of the freshmen at that position.  

Here's a breakdown of the roster and depth. 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16pZusTziafkPFkw4q4dwweOtKsWa1t5qlYdi_KQR2rE/edit?gid=0#gid=0

 

Nice!

[Pagoda]

Well, here is a drawing of our new mascot.  The debut of the real life one is the home opener.  Seems to be all good to me.

 

Press release: https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2025/7/14/general-iu-reinstates-the-bison-as-the-official-iu-bloomington-mascot-hoosier-the-bison-to-make-first-public-appearance-on-aug-30-at-iu-football-season-opener

[NashvilleHoosier]

Curious if anyone is heading to the game at Oregon? I’m really torn on buying tix through IU, which are a fairly insane $160 each or secondary market where I could currently get a pair for that price. It’d be great to sit with the IU fans, but damn does that include a pregame meal or something?!? Is there something I’m not thinking of where that $160 each is worth it? 

[Hovadipo]

44 minutes ago, NashvilleHoosier said:

Curious if anyone is heading to the game at Oregon? I’m really torn on buying tix through IU, which are a fairly insane $160 each or secondary market where I could currently get a pair for that price. It’d be great to sit with the IU fans, but damn does that include a pregame meal or something?!? Is there something I’m not thinking of where that $160 each is worth it? 

Did some surface research on making the trip (not going to pull the trigger) and those $160 seats are probably not going to be very good either. Visitor section is in a corner and if I had to guess will be stuck pretty high. I typically find it more fun to sit with the home fans anyway. 

[Lebowski]

17 hours ago, NashvilleHoosier said:

Curious if anyone is heading to the game at Oregon? I’m really torn on buying tix through IU, which are a fairly insane $160 each or secondary market where I could currently get a pair for that price. It’d be great to sit with the IU fans, but damn does that include a pregame meal or something?!? Is there something I’m not thinking of where that $160 each is worth it? 

Looked into going but unfortunately I won't be able to make it. Kind of bummed about it. 

[AH1971]

17 hours ago, NashvilleHoosier said:

Curious if anyone is heading to the game at Oregon? I’m really torn on buying tix through IU, which are a fairly insane $160 each or secondary market where I could currently get a pair for that price. It’d be great to sit with the IU fans, but damn does that include a pregame meal or something?!? Is there something I’m not thinking of where that $160 each is worth it? 

I think $160 is going to be a steal on game day. Autzen is a small stadium ~54k so guessing there really isn't a bad seat in the house. If IU is undefeated, you're looking at huge Game Day/Big Noon implications as both teams could potentially be in the top 5. Tickets would be a riot on the secondary market in that scenario.

[Stuhoo]

7 minutes ago, AH1971 said:

I think $160 is going to be a steal on game day. Autzen is a small stadium ~54k so guessing there really isn't a bad seat in the house. If IU is undefeated, you're looking at huge Game Day/Big Noon implications as both teams could potentially be in the top 5. Tickets would be a riot on the secondary market in that scenario.

And when we beat them as a 10.5 point underdog it's going to be epic.

[Lebowski]

When everyone catches on that 10 wins will exponentially increase your chances to play in a 16 team playoff system, this will be the trend for every P4 school. IUFB it just one of the first to do this. And it's some smart moneyball "get on base" type of poop. Schools like Notre Dame will suffer. 

 

[Pagoda]

15 minutes ago, Lebowski said:

When everyone catches on that 10 wins will exponentially increase your chances to play in a 16 team playoff system, this will be the trend for every P4 school. IUFB it just one of the first to do this. Schools like Notre Dame will suffer. 

Yea.  This is smart.  UVA, especially the road game early in the season, is way more downside than upside.

Every year we play a (usually) grueling nine game P2 conference schedule.  Three low risk games to get ready without getting banged up is the right approach to maximize our post-season opportunities.

One caveat is I hope we keep ND and I’m fine playing very high level opponents like that where a loss isn’t a killer and it’s a huge game.  Though I’m not sure many top-10 programs would do home-homes with us -- we're more downside than upside to be honest.

One way to help the non-cons would be a B1G and SEC challenge where everyone plays each other.  Not sure if the conferences can figure that out, but it would be cool.

[Lebowski]

3 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

Yea.  This is smart.  UVA, especially the road game early in the season, is way more downside than upside.

Every year we play a (usually) grueling nine game conference schedule in a P2 conference.  Three low risk games to get ready without getting banged up is the right approach.

One caveat is I hope we keep ND and I’m fine playing very high level opponents like that where a loss isn’t a killer and it’s a huge game.  Though I’m not sure many top-10 programs would do home-homes with us.

I hope the B1G and SEC figure out a way to do a non-con challenge where everyone plays each other.  That would be cool and helps the non-cons in the P2.

It's Moneyball smart. Every P4 will start doing this. Especially if we end up in the CFP this year. 

[Hoosier987]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/45719770/2026-nfl-draft-top-pick-predictions-early-chances-tj-parker-garrett-nussmeier

Mendoza listed as # 1 overall potential in 2026 NFL Draft