IU Football: 2023 Year in Review & 2024 Preview

[Piercewise1]

2023 was a harsh reality check for the Indiana football program. Fans were optimistic coming off a 6-6 season and a bowl win, but offensive woes and confusing adjustments caused the team to under-deliver on the field. After a strong start the team collapsed down the stretch, losing their last six games and ending the season a disappointing 4-8.

I.  The Season

Week	Opponent	Result	Score
1	SMU	W	28-10
2	Ohio State	W	24-10
3	@Tulane	L	0-13
4	Indiana State	W	38-6
5	@Maryland	L	21-24
6	open
7	@Michigan	W	31-3
8	Rutgers	L	9-10
9	@Penn State	L	3-21
10	Wisconsin	L	6-34
11	@Illinois	L	6-19
12	Michigan State	L	10-13
13	open
14	@Purdue	L	7-21

 

The season started well enough, with strong team performances leading to double-digit wins against SMU (who finished 8-4) and Ohio State (10-2). A loss to Tulane on the road wasn’t unexpected, although the shutout was demoralizing. And the team predictably stomped FCS opponent Indiana State.

The turning point came in week 5, when the Hoosiers blew a 21-3 halftime lead to Maryland and lost 24-21. In the second half the offense mustered only 48 yards, 3 first downs, and committed a costly turnover that led to the Terrapins deciding score. These would become common themes in the latter half of the season. Coming off a bye the Hoosiers handily defeated Michigan in Ann Arbor, but that would be the last chance for the fans to celebrate; Indiana scored only 41 points total in its final 6 games, all losses. Their 2-7 conference record placed them tied for 5^th in the B1G East and 12^th in the conference.

Largest Win: 38-6 over Indiana State

Santonio Mickolio rushed for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 carries, and FS Bo Robinson nabbed 2 interceptions as the Hoosiers dominated their overmatched in-state competition.

Largest Loss: 34-6 to Wisconsin

Michael Miles was sacked 4 times and the team got outrushed 210 – 56 as the Badgers dominated every facet of the game.
 

Departures

24 graduating seniors (12 offense, 11 defense, 1 special teams)
14 starters

DE Ty Bogdanovic (A/A-): 41 tackles, 13 TFL, 6.5 sacks
CB Stephen Hernandez (A/A-): 35 tackles, 8 PD

 

II. The Recruits

Stars	Position	First Name	Last Name	Archetype	OVR	POT
5	OT	Fernando	Rodriguez	Pass Blocking	B	D+
5	WR	J.J.	Pilaf	Speed	B	B-
4	CB	Matthew	McAllister	Zone Coverage	B	C+
4	ILB	Glenn	Wilson	Field General	C	B+
4	OLB	John	Vickers	Pass Rush	C	C+
3	OT	Charles	Estes	Pass Blocking	C	C+
3	OG	Brian	Norgaard	Pass Blocking	C	C+
3	DT	John	Aube	Nose Tackle	C	C
3	K	Andrew	Taiwo	Power	C	B
3	DT	Sergio	Dominguez	Nose Tackle	C	C+
3	ILB	Sean	Slacum	Run Stopper	C	C
3	CB	Luis	Ordonez	Zone Coverage	C	B-
3	RB	William	Harvill	Receiving	C	C
3	WR	Jason	Pruitt	Possession	C	B-
3	SS	Vincent	Sills	Run Stopper	C	C+
3	TE	Robert	Crowder	Receiving	C	C
3	OLB	Nicholas	Pemberton	Pass Rush	C	C+
3	P	David	Medina	Balanced	C	B-
2	CB	Daniel	Becerra	Zone Coverage	C	C
2	OT	Michael	Shackelford	Pass Blocking	C	B-
2	CB	Daniel	Sales	Zone Coverage	C	A
2	FB	Victor	Botts	Blocking	C	B
2	OG	Christopher	Hergert	Balanced	C	B-
2	OG	Felix	Challe	Pass Blocking	C	B-
2	WR	Grant	Sullivan	Route Runner	C	B+

247 rank: 16^th

Rivals rank: 15^th

ESPN rank: 12^th

Composite rank: 12^th

 

Recruits by Star Level

Stars	2021 (AI)	2022	2023
5*	0	1	2
4*	1	4	3
3*	3	11	13
2*	11	9	7
1*	10	0	0
Total	25	25	25

 

Recruiting Summary

While it lacks the eye-popping blue-chip numbers of recruiting powerhouses like Tennessee and Purdue, the 2023 class nevertheless represents another big improvement over the IU status quo. 3* is becoming the new Hoosier standard, with 34 players of that caliber or better committing over the last two years. Most will be redshirted to give them time to learn the system, but a few should have an immediate impact.

5* OT Fernando Rodriguez is another huge addition to the offensive line (along with last year’s lone 5* Timothy Doak) and looks to be a plug-and-play starter.

5* WR J.J. Pilaf provides much-needed speed to a strong WR group and shouldn’t be lower than 4^th on the depth chart.

4* CB Matthew McAllister looks to have the inside track on the nickelback position and could see the field plenty as a true freshman.

4* ILB Glenn Wilson joins a young but crowded ILB room and will compete for playing time with a couple of ’22 recruits.

 

III. The Future

Despite the disappointment of 2023, Hoosier fans are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. The top end of the roster includes 10 A or A- players, more than any previous year. And 14 members of coach @Piercewise1's initial recruiting class will finally hit the field as redshirt freshmen, with many of them expected to see significant playing time.

Unofficial 2024 Spring Depth Chart

Italics for out of position players

Scheme - Offense

Indiana has several potential avenues here, but Pro-West Coast and Spread-Pistol look to be the early favorites. Both play to the Hoosiers strengths: a talented WR room and Pass Blocking linemen. Pistol works with both Ebner and Johnson’s archetypes, which would provide a much-needed boost. But it also has multiple formations requiring two tight ends, a position that is one of the team’s weakest. West Coast would allow the backfield of Bradley and Metu to shine alongside the receivers. Look for both systems to get a look in spring practice.

Scheme – Defense

2-Gap Zone seems like the clear choice here, with an archetype match for the entire D-line and good or neutral matches for almost the entire LB corps. This chart puts Marquez at ROLB where he’ll be on the line of scrimmage most plays and can rush the passer, and bumps Robinson outside where he can guard the TE. The inside is a bit weak outside of star DT Kyle Pena, but that trio of freshmen ILBs will get plenty of snaps to develop together.

Position Battles

QB1: Jusuf Ebner / Samuel Johnson

All eyes will be on the quarterback battle, as the senior Ebner looks to hold off 4* (Fr) Sam Johnson. Many fans have been eagerly waiting to see Johnson in action ever since he committed to IU, but Pierce insists it will be an open competition. Whoever wins will be the team’s 4^th opening day starter in 4 years, another reason fans are rooting for Johnson to win and end this QB carousel.

OG2: Alex Miller / Michael Williams

Williams was a huge get in 2022, but the blue-chip lineman is known more as a mauler in the run game and so hasn’t had the impact many were expecting. With Timothy Doak entrenched as the starter at center, Alex Miller could slide over to guard and give the team its fifth pass blocking specialist. But don’t expect Williams to give up his spot without a fight.

DE2: Francisco Guaipe / Patrick Patton

A similar story here, with Patrick Patton the highly-touted blue-chip recruit looking to unseat the senior Guaipe. Patton has the raw power, while Guaipe has the better technique. Both should see playing time but only one will officially start alongside Pena and DE Antwuan Pagnozzi.

ILB2: Glenn Wilson / Damon Devlin / Steven Fifer

All three freshmen (2 redshirt, 1 true) will likely get some snaps this year, but anyone who has a good spring should end up with a busier fall. Wilson’s cover skills probably give him the best chance at the job, but it’s far from certain.

SS1: Tim Cortes / Timothy Moore

Moore was recruited as a free safety, but senior Cole Dennick looks like the clear starter there. Instead of simply being a backup another year, Moore might be able to break through on the other side. He’s better in coverage than Cortes but weaker in the run game, so that (combined with any out of position penalties) might be too much to overcome. 

Other Players to Watch

(Jr) RB Mike Bradley – averaged 6.85 ypc as a backup last year, but enters 2024 as the undisputed starter at running back.

(Jr) DE Antwaun Pagnozzi – recorded 11 TFL and 5 sacks as a sophomore while Ty Bogdanovic drew double-teams; how will he fare under this new scheme?   

(Fr) DT Phillip Otter – Took a big step forward this offseason and looks to be the heir apparent to Kyle Pena. Should see some snaps.

(Jr) K Sean Curtiss – Redshirted last year for timing purposes, and now has 2 seasons to shine while new recruit Andrew Taiwo waits in the wings.

 

Looking forward to the new season; see you in 2024!