Hoosiers season preview: Projecting the offense
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
After three weeks of preseason preparation and three scrimmages, the cleats go on for real Thursday night. Here’s how we envision the Hoosiers’ offense shaping up:
QUARTERBACK: Tre Roberson (No. 5, 6-0, 200, sophomore)
Comment: He is mobile and can improvise far better than Cameron Coffman or Nate Sudfeld. Whoever gets the job – if there’s not a rotation – will be expected to lead an explosive offense.
LEFT TACKLE: Jason Spriggs (No. 78, 6-7, 297, sophomore)
Comment: Indiana’s best lineman has the vital job of protecting the quarterback’s blind side. Coaches raved about his offseason progress, particularly his strength and talent. Spriggs started all 12 games as a true freshman, was beaten for just two sacks and earned freshman All-America honors. And he’s getting better? Watch out.
LEFT GUARD: Bernard Taylor (No. 73, 6-2, 295, junior)
Comment: Taylor returns for a second straight season at guard. He’s not a star, but is a reliable player.
CENTER: Collin Rahrig (No. 64, 6-2, 285, junior)
Comment: He replaces the former heart of the offensive line, graduated Will Matte. Kevin Wilson thinks Rahrig is probably more talented.
RIGHT GUARD: Jake Reed (No. 50, 6-4, 291, sophomore)
Comment: Reed has alternated between center and guard in practice. Dan Feeney would’ve been the man here, but suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury during camp. From Wilson to the offensive coordinator to the line coach, everyone has gushed over Reed.
RIGHT TACKLE: Peyton Eckert (No. 59, 6-6, 310, junior)
Comment: Eckert is a player on the rise.
TIGHT END: Ted Bolser (No. 83, 6-6, 252, senior)
Comment: A very dangerous receiver, Bolser has improved his blocking, which Wilson said was needed to make Bolser a complete player.
RUNNING BACK: Tevin Coleman (No. 6, 6-1, 205, sophomore)
Comment: One of the surprises of training camp, Coleman wrestled playing time away from Stephen Houston, who will still get plenty of carries. Coleman averaged 4.4 yards on 51 rushes last season.
WIDE RECEIVER: Cody Latimer (No. 3, 6-3, 215, junior)
Comment: Perhaps the Hoosiers’ top receiver is a weapon in all facets and all areas of the field. Though he had just two 100-yard games in 2012, he finished the season with 805 yards on 51 catches.
WIDE RECEIVER: Kofi Hughes (No. 13, 6-2, 217, senior)
Comment: A voice of the entire roster, Hughes is a very good second receiver, if slightly behind Latimer.
WIDE RECEIVER: Shane Wynn (No. 1, 5-7, 170, junior)
Comment: Working from the slot, Wynn is going to play a lot. Last year, he scored six times and caught 68 passes for 660 yards. He’s a dangerous threat.
Hoosiers season preview: What to watch for
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