Indiana Football: Takeaways from the 2019 Spring Game

Indiana football conducted their Spring Game on Friday and fans came away with high expectations for this season.

“I just want everybody to watch out because we’re coming” the phrase being echoed throughout the Hoosier nation and the Indiana football program after Friday night’s spring game.

The excitement buzzing in the air of Memorial Stadium was infectious to all that attended. The feeling that finally this Hoosier club can make it over the hump and go bowling again this year.

With the young talent across the offense and defense, there was plenty of exciting moments being displayed on the field. Let’s dive into what has this Indiana fan excited for the upcoming season.

There was a changing of the guards during Friday night’s game with many of the youth taking the majority of the reps. Coach Allen has emphasized throughout his three years here that building depth is a necessity to survive in the Big Ten East. This was step one in providing the early enrollees, freshmen and redshirt freshmen valuable reps.

While the score showcases an offensive win, the defense shined rather bright in comparison.

The speed on the back end of the defense will be a great asset in keeping the defensive backs on top of the route, not allowing for any explosive plays that could result in a touchdown.

In the live and 7 on 7 portions of the game, the defense displayed an ability to suffocate the ball carrier and receivers. While the back end of the defense is the anchor of coach Allen’s defense the defensive line showcased some promise as well.

A redshirt freshman that stood out was a defensive back, Jamar Johnson.

One play that especially stood out was when Johnson, playing the husky position, came blitzing off the edge with tremendous speed sacking Ramsey in the backfield for a loss. In the 7 on 7 portions of the night, Johnson was able to truly showcase his lockdown coverage ability. The majority of the balls that went to Johnson’s side, he was there to swallow up the receiver and contest for the football. As a redshirt freshman, that’s a promising sign to see what looks to be swagger and confidence to his game.

A way that Kane Wommack used to help out the defensive line was to create creative inside-out stunts. This puts a lot of pressure on the offensive line when having to decide who to block. Implementing a pressure package forcing mismatches across the offensive line will have to be a massive part in the defensive game plan moving forward.

As for the offensive side of the ball, Donovan Hale was someone who stood out for the Hoosiers.

A prime candidate for a breakout year, Hale finished last season third on the team in receptions (42), second with yards (508) and leading the team with touchdowns (6). Starting eight games, Hale was named Big-Ten Honorable Mention.

With Peyton Ramsey being the only healthy quarterback on the roster as of now, the Indiana fans will have to wait to see the quarterback battle consisting of a healthy Micheal Penix Jr (ACL) and the Utah transfer, Jack Tuttle (illness).

As the spring football chapter closes, a new chapter begins for this Hoosier team coming into the 2019 fall camp.

With the younger generations of Hoosiers getting reps under the lights and getting high fives from current Hoosiers, you can almost feel the sense of urgency that this team has. They want to bring something that this program hasn’t had in 28 years; a bowl win. Will this be the year that the Hoosiers can put together that magical season?