Projecting IU football’s depth chart ahead of Saturday’s matchup with North Texas

IU football quarterback Josh Hoover.

With fall camp wrapped up and Week 1 prep winding down, IU football is ready to begin its national championship defense against North Texas on Saturday.

Throughout camp, most position battles were settled, position changes were made and roles were defined. There may not be an official depth chart, but here is an idea of what to expect on Saturday.

Offense

Quarterbacks

• Josh Hoover
• Grant Wilson
• Tyler Cherry

Not much to analyze here. Hoover has been the solidified No. 1 for months. Cignetti has tabbed Wilson as the No. 2 officially. That leaves Cherry with the No. 3 spot.

Running Backs

1. Turbo Richard
1. Khobie Martin
1. Lee Beebe Jr.

No, those numbers are not a mistake. Indiana can play any of its three running backs and feel equally confident about their ability to dominate. All three have taken reps as the No. 1 throughout camp. Someone will have to start, but each back should get plenty of carries.

Wide Receivers

• Nick Marsh
• Davion Chandler

• Charlie Becker
• Shazz Preston

SLOT

• Tyler Morris
• Lebron Bond

Marsh, Becker and Morris are the clear starters in the group at X, Y and Slot, respectively. The backups can, and likely will, be moved around to different spots when needed. Chandler and Preston are the likely first two off the bench.

Tight Ends

• Brock Schott OR Andrew Barker
• Schott OR Barker (the player who doesn’t earn the start will be the No. 2)
• Blake Thiry OR Parker Elmore
• Thiry OR Elmore

Indiana has few unanswered questions when it comes to starters. The tight end room is an exception. Schott and Barker have both seen reps as the No. 1 throughout camp and no decision on who will start has been made publicly. Thiry and Elmore are wild cards as well and are likely battling for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.

Offensive Line

LT: Carter Smith
LG Drew Evans
C: Bray Lynch
RG: Adedamola Ajani
RT: Joe Brunner

Depth

• Baylor Wilkin
• Austin Leibfried
• Matt Marek
• Evan Parker
• Ben Novak

The starting offensive line has been verbally confirmed in bits and pieces throughout camp. Those five in those spots are essentially a guarantee. If Indiana needs to call upon its depth, the replacement would likely involve some shifting of the starters rather than a direct plug-and-play. The starters are all versatile. Wilkin, Leibfried and Marek are the top options off the bench to slide in wherever necessary.

DEFENSE

Defensive Tackles

• Tyrique Tucker
• Joe Hjelle

• Mario Landino
• Blake Smythe

Tucker and Landino will be one of the top interior duos in the nation. Hjelle, a Tulsa transfer, has been a solidified backup since signing. Finding that other candidate to bring depth to Landino and Tucker has been the search throughout camp. Landino and Cignetti have both spoken highly of Smythe, a true freshman, and claim he has developed beyond his age. If Smythe is not the answer, Jhrevious Hall and Kyler Garcia are other options.

Defensive Ends/Edge Rushers

• Josh Burnham
• Chiddi Obiazor
• Kellan Wyatt (If eligible)

STUD

• Tobi Osunsanmi
• Daniel Ndukwe
• Stephen Daley (If eligible)

This group is about as flexible as any, especially if Daley and Wyatt receive eligibility to play at any point this season. Burnham and Osunsanmi are the likely No. 1s, but Obiazor and Ndukwe can easily step up if called upon. Daley and Wyatt are eligible to practice, so their “freshness” and conditioning will improve after time off. Their status could shake up the room in a positive way.

Linebackers

MIKE LB

• Isaiah Jones
• Jeff Utzinger
• Jacob Savage

WILL LB

• Rolijah Hardy
• Kaiden Turner
• Henry Ohlinger

SAM LB

• Jeff Utzinger
• Kaiden Turner

Most of Indiana’s defensive looks will have two linebackers. Jones and Hardy will fill those spots. Utzinger and Turner are the next two in line at the position after seeing both defensive and special teams snaps last season. Occasionally, the Hoosiers will send out a three-linebacker formation where Utzinger or Turner can interchangeably fill in. Savage and Ohlinger are true freshmen who have been praised since the moment they got to campus, Savage in particular. Maybe expect to see some special teams action from them.

Cornerbacks

Boundary CB

• Jamari Sharpe
• Carson Williams
• Jaylen Bell

Field CB

• Ryland Gandy OR AJ Harris
• Gandy OR Harris (the player who doesn’t earn the start will be the backup)

Sharpe is the only solidified role in the cornerback room. He will be the No. 1 without question. Harris and Gandy have been in a position battle all throughout camp and no clear frontrunner has been identified. Gandy has been in the system for a year and filled in for an injured D’Angelo Ponds in a start last season, faring well. Harris had a great year at Penn State in 2024, but a subpar campaign in 2025 with the Nittany Lions. He has also been dealing with a nagging injury in camp. Whoever loses the battle will be the top backup option.

Safeties/Rover

Strong Safety

• Preston Zachman
• Seaonta Stewart

Free Safety

• Amare Ferrell
• Garrett Reese
• Anthony Chung

Rover

• Byron Baldwin
• Quan Sanks

Zachman and Ferrell should be the clear starters at strong and free safety, respectively. Chatter around Baldwin in the rover spot has been minimal throughout camp, but he will likely be the choice. If not, Sanks provides plenty of experience and versatility. Sanks, Reese and Chung can all be moved around wherever needed.

Special teams

Kicker

• Nico Radicic
• Paddy McAteer

Radicic is as automatic as it gets and has two seasons of experience under his belt. He was subbed out for longer kicks but noted that he feels more confident in his ability to make kicks from 50 or more yards out. McAteer has a huge leg and would be the distance kicking specialist if called upon in that role.

Punter

• Billy Gowers
• Quinn Warren

Cignetti noted that Gowers and Warren were in a position battle in camp. Gowers is the likely starter, but Warren can deliver if called upon and has in the past.

Kickoff Specialist

• Paddy McAteer
• Quinn Warren

McAteer was brought in specifically for this role and should have no problem taking the starting spot. Warren did handle kickoff duties in Brendan Franke’s absence last year. He also took reps in 2024. It is almost certainly McAteer’s job.

Long Snapper

• Drew Clausen
• Sam Lindsey

Clausen was brought in as a transfer to fill Mark Langston’s void. He is the likely starter, with nothing suggesting otherwise.

Projected starting offense

QB: Josh Hoover
RB: Turbo Richard
WR: Charlie Becker
WR: Nick Marsh
WR: Tyler Morris
TE: Brock Schott
LT: Carter Smith
LG: Drew Evans
C: Bray Lynch
RG: Adedamola Ajani
RT: Joe Brunner

Projected starting defense

DE: Josh Burnham
DT: Mario Landino
NT: Tyrique Tucker
STUD: Tobi Osunsanmi
MIKE: Isaiah Jones
WILL: Rolijah Hardy
CB: Jamari Sharpe
CB: Ryland Gandy
SS: Preston Zachman
FS: Amare Ferrell
ROVER: Byron Baldwin

Projected starting specialists

K: Nico Radicic
P: Billy Gowers
KOS: Paddy McAteer
LS: Drew Clausen

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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