Hoosiers season preview: Quarterback shrouded in mystery
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tomorrow’s opener against Indiana State begins a season of hope, and yet the Hoosiers still do not know who’ll jog out to the sport’s most important position: quarterback.
“For all I know, there could be a three-QB system,” tight end Ted Bolser said. “(Coach Kevin Wilson) is an offensive genius. We’ve just got to roll with it.”
Between Tre Roberson, Nate Sudfeld and Cameron Coffman, offensive coordinator Seth Littrell is confident the Hoosiers can’t go wrong, even if they decide minutes before kickoff.
“One of them is going to be great, all three are eventually going to be great,” Littrell said.
Wilson, who chose Roberson last season before he was lost to a broken leg, seems genuinely unable to decide on a course of action.
“Statistically they’re about the same. We’re not trying to be coy,” Wilson said. “It’ll be the same offense. We’re not trying to motivate anybody. They’re all respected by their teammates. They’re all quality leaders. They’re fighting and it’s a close call. None are seniors. They’re just good players. They all have enough talent.”
Wilson has been involved with the quarterback combos of Neil Dougherty and Sam Ricketts at Miami (Ohio) and Coffman and Sudfeld here last fall. He believes using two can work.
“Do we need to play more than one? Maybe we do,” Wilson said. “It could be because they all have different strengths. Tre can make more plays with his feet. Those other guys are more on-target, better percentage throwers. We’re not hashing the QB deal out because it’s not a negative.”
Wilson thinks the system and play calls will stay the same no matter who is under center. Wilson spent seven seasons as offensive coordinator at Miami, three as offensive coordinator at Northwestern and five in that role at Oklahoma. Wilson’s entire coaching background is on offense and his calm about the quarterback situation is enough for his players.
“It gives you confidence we’re going to be a pretty good team,” center Collin Rahrig said. “Any of those guys could be the starter. They’re all level-headed. I go golfing with Sudfeld or Cam all the time, joke and hang out with Tre. We’ve built up trust with all three of them.”
Linebacker David Cooper, who faced the quarterbacks in 17 days of camp practice, is hoping Indiana’s passing attack explodes.
“They’re all really good,” Cooper said. “Sometimes I can’t tell who’s in.”
The receivers are comfortable with all three, Isaiah Roundtree said.
“They all bring something different to the table,” Roundtree said. “They’re all great guys. Whoever it is, it doesn’t really matter. Tre is more of an athlete. Cam is the risk-taker, powerful arm. Nate has the touch and height.”
Littrell admits the three-way derby, still up in the air on the eve of the season, is not a customary situation at any level of football. “It’s abnormal, especially at that position,” he said. “I’d rather it be that. That’s a bonus. That’s abnormal, but it’s great.”
Position coach Kevin Johns, who went 20-1 in two years as a starting quarterback at Dayton, sees the lack of separation as “both good and bad.”
“It’s not a huge deal,” Johns said. “We’re pleased with where they’re at. I don’t think the kids think it’s a huge deal. All of those guys have played. We’re kind of rolling with it. We kind of are used to it right now. It’s almost going to be weird when one guy runs out there first and the other two are just kind of hanging out.”
Still, Wilson wants to avoid a “revolving door,” and Johns acknowledged narrowing it down is a necessity.
“It’s a lot on feel,” Johns said. “We’re really on some uncharted waters. There are a couple programs that play two QBs. For us, this will really be our first chance to be creative.”
Wilson is high on all three options, saying even intangible leadership qualities are a wash, and sounds unafraid to keep testing them out once the real games start.
But, Wilson cautioned, “Our quarterback position is going to have to play dynamic for us to have a good year. Hopefully, as coaches, we’ll not mess it up.”
SEE ALSO:
Hoosiers season preview: What to watch for
Hoosiers season preview: Foundation in place, Wilson ready to win
