Defense
Edge Rusher
Cornerback
Offense
OL (2)
Any others?
Edge Rusher
Cornerback
Offense
OL (2)
Any others?
What’s left for the portal additions ?
- Thread starter edub72
- Start date
Replace corner with safety.
Wouldn't be surprised with a linebacker or two as well. Even though we just got a receiver, we're gonna get more then one this cycle, probably 3 or 4 if I were to guess.
Mendoza is a GREAT pickup. Still a passing oriented quarterback, but quite a lot more mobile...so he should be able to extend plays better than Rourke was able to. It would be difficult for him to be as good passing the ball, as Rourke was. But if he can handle blitzes and interior pushes better than Rourke, and extend and make plays, he could make our offense more effective against elite level defenses.
Now...what do we need yet...Just need to improve the OLine now. And replace production at defensive spots we're losing impact players. "Just"...is obviously a tall task. But getting Mendoza was huge.
Our defense was elite. Even against ND and OSU, it was solid. Just need a little bit better OLine, and hopefully Mendoza can come in and fits well with Shanahan's offense.
So...
2 - Starter level O Linemen
2 - Rotation level O Linemen for depth
Replacements for the defensive guys we're losing
Tight End
Talent any where else for competition and depth purposes
Now...what do we need yet...Just need to improve the OLine now. And replace production at defensive spots we're losing impact players. "Just"...is obviously a tall task. But getting Mendoza was huge.
Our defense was elite. Even against ND and OSU, it was solid. Just need a little bit better OLine, and hopefully Mendoza can come in and fits well with Shanahan's offense.
So...
2 - Starter level O Linemen
2 - Rotation level O Linemen for depth
Replacements for the defensive guys we're losing
Tight End
Talent any where else for competition and depth purposes
Two words: Big Uglies
Easier said than done, but elite-level big uglies - both sides of the ball - is pretty much my entire wish list
Easier said than done, but elite-level big uglies - both sides of the ball - is pretty much my entire wish list
They're harder to find, but if Indiana were to allocate more of its "budget" for them, I would have to think with Bostad's history, our new national relevance, and competitive NIL money...we should be able to find a couple starter level guys.
If Wedig and Katic's replacements aren't on the roster, then several quality offensive linemen are an absolute must. I would think they're a must either way...
Maybe Hemby the transfer from Maryland might convince his old teammate Marcus Dumervil OT to come on over. 247 had him rated as a possible mid level NFL draft pick.
Without knowing the young depth very well, I would guess pass rushers, safeties, another slot WR. I'm guessing some of the unproven OL guys have good potential. Remember last year we didn't know anything about Evans and Lynch and they both turned out really solid.
Did Kidwell apply for another year? Or is he done for sure?
We were outbid by Colorado on a couple of our own last year. I hope we pull some in OL this year. I'm just suspicious that guys who didn't get many snaps are going to be solid by next year. But the snaps may be because of pretty good line health.
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We were outbid by Colorado on a couple of our own last year. I hope we pull some in OL this year. I'm just suspicious that guys who didn't get many snaps are going to be solid by next year. But the snaps may be because of pretty good line health.
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Last time I checked there were (at least) 2 “in-state” OLs in the portal from out-of-state programs: tOSU tackle Zen Michalski from Floyd Central and UK guard Dylan Ray from Noblesville. I don’t know if they’re both still in the portal or if Cig/Bostad are interested or not.
Speed, speed, and more speed - to go along with the big uglies.
We're losing 4 I believe.
I think 2 would be the minimum with us getting Reese and Baldwin in the high school ranks.
Yep, just saw that
IIRC there is (or at least was) a Toledo TE in the portal who played at Bloomington South
Ohio State fans weren't sold on Michalski. Not sure about him just going off of their negativity towards him.
As for TE, Sam West looked like a stud on the big play against Charlotte!! He showed excellent size and good wheels. This is one position where Cignetti needs to utilize way more frequently than he does.
As for TE, Sam West looked like a stud on the big play against Charlotte!! He showed excellent size and good wheels. This is one position where Cignetti needs to utilize way more frequently than he does.
Negativity seems to be their default mode
I’ve got some optimism on OL. I would guess Mendoza and his camp were focused on our projected OL and had to get comfortable with the plan in order for him to commit. Fingers crossed.
I guess the Gentry kid from Michigan would be an OL possibility-don’t remember anything about him from the times I saw UM play this season
Also a Wisky OL in the portal but I don’t know if he was there when Bostad was or if he came later
-I don’t know if he’ll start, but guess Baldwin will get some serious look at safety next year. He along with WR LeBron Bond are two true freshman who I could see getting serious PT.
-IU is set to return 3 starting OL; LT Carter Smith, LG Drew Evans (coming off injury), and RG Bray Lynch. Bray Lynch originally came in as a T and has the size to play RT if needed. Wouldn’t be shocked to see him make the move. I suspect the staff will add an OT and IOL but could also see someone from the current roster emerge in the way Drew Evans did after coming to Indiana from Wisconsin as a walk-on. Ade Ajani is my bet who has all the tools to be a very good guard at this level and beyond.
-Staff already added two DT; Hosea Wheeler and Dominique Ratcliff via the portal. Those two along with Landino, Burris Jr, and Tucker sets the interior rotation. Kamara’s impeding decision will likely decide how high a priority a pass rusher edge but his decision looms large
-any LB added will probably be a depth piece. It goes without being said how important Fisher is to this team, but Isaiah Jones played a ton of snaps last year and Rolijah Hardy is a star in the making.
-I think we’re good at CB as things stand but need a replacement for Asbury at safety. Ferrell at SS had a very good year and is back
-need another slot WR or two and could stand to add a receiving TE. There was some chatter yesterday about bring over Cal’s TE who has been very productive in the pass catching department but not yet in the portal.
Staff has done a pretty good job up to this point retooling, but still a few positions of need that need to be addressed to avoid a significant drop off.
-IU is set to return 3 starting OL; LT Carter Smith, LG Drew Evans (coming off injury), and RG Bray Lynch. Bray Lynch originally came in as a T and has the size to play RT if needed. Wouldn’t be shocked to see him make the move. I suspect the staff will add an OT and IOL but could also see someone from the current roster emerge in the way Drew Evans did after coming to Indiana from Wisconsin as a walk-on. Ade Ajani is my bet who has all the tools to be a very good guard at this level and beyond.
-Staff already added two DT; Hosea Wheeler and Dominique Ratcliff via the portal. Those two along with Landino, Burris Jr, and Tucker sets the interior rotation. Kamara’s impeding decision will likely decide how high a priority a pass rusher edge but his decision looms large
-any LB added will probably be a depth piece. It goes without being said how important Fisher is to this team, but Isaiah Jones played a ton of snaps last year and Rolijah Hardy is a star in the making.
-I think we’re good at CB as things stand but need a replacement for Asbury at safety. Ferrell at SS had a very good year and is back
-need another slot WR or two and could stand to add a receiving TE. There was some chatter yesterday about bring over Cal’s TE who has been very productive in the pass catching department but not yet in the portal.
Staff has done a pretty good job up to this point retooling, but still a few positions of need that need to be addressed to avoid a significant drop off.
Not a portal player but we offered a HS QB in this class that is currently committed to Ball State. Staff must really like him.
He made an official visit a couple weeks ago.
They’re not wrong about Zen though. Threw him in vs Nebraska and he shit down his leg.
How about the freshman from Indy who played some this year?
Mendoza is an outstanding pick up but there will be a tinge of disappointment here if the OL is not upgraded.
Yes, Oregon and Penn State on the road. Plus at Iowa which is always a tough place to play.
Speaking of games at Iowa does anybody else remember this horrible replay overturn on a TD. One of the worst replay reversals I have ever seen.
I see anywhere from 8-10 wins. With Mendoza now in the fold, it could be another CFP run....
I'm talking about the other two so called " big boys "They used to be known as the "big 2". And BTW when's the last time Iowa came to Bloomington, seems like a long time ago.
I don't see the schedule as that daunting. If we go 11-1 next year, what's kirk going to say?
