Indiana Football: QB duo for Hoosiers amongst top returning in NCAA

Indiana football’s quarterbacks are ranked top-10 amongst returning QB’s in the country according to Pro Football Focus’ list.

The 2019 season for the Indiana football program was a memorable one by many accounts and though the season ended differently than everyone had hoped, it brings a lot of promise for next year and the future after that.

One of the main reasons next year has the ability to be better than this year’s is how much talent is returning. With the majority of the starters on both sides of the ball coming back, plus the rotation in almost every position being underclassmen, a special season is expected in 2020.

Two names that headline the returning talent is that of Peyton Ramsey and Michael Penix Jr. Both QB’s showed their ability to be top-notch power-five starters this season and had a major influence on the final record for Indiana. Now the question remains, who will be the starter come week one in 2020?

According to Pro Football Focus, regardless of the starter, Indiana will have one of the best returning starters in the country. Ranked ninth amongst returners, the duo of Ramsey and Penix is expected to have Indiana, once again, in great hands under center.

"“Watching both quarterbacks, you can see Ramsey and Penix have a similar strength in that their stick throws (passes that are to a receiver facing the quarterback or working back to them) are among the best in the country. The two combine to be the highest-graded passing unit on these passes and are among the 15 top quarterbacks in regard to accurate pass rate. Penix will likely regain the starting job for the 2020 season when healthy, but regardless of who the starter is, Indiana is in great hands.”"

With Penix expected to regain the position he had won this past fall, the question is if he can stay healthy enough to be on the field for a full season. Playing in six games, but able to finish just three of his starts, Penix combined for just 281 yards in the second half of his games – compared to 1,113 in the first half – all season, showing his inability to stay on the field. Overall, the freshman threw for 1,394 yards and 10 touchdowns.

What was clear, was Penix’ ability to be a star. With his pocket presence in addition to arm stretch and accuracy, he showed, when healthy, he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

Ramsey, however, was the savior of Indiana football this season with the amount of times he was needed at a moments notice. Finishing with 2,454 yards and 13 touchdowns, Ramsey ranked second in the Big Ten with a 68 completion percentage while being fourth in the conference at 8.2 yards per attempt.

Ramsey made it clear he was a team player and leader when he decided to stay with the Hoosiers after losing his starting job, and there is nothing to point to him leaving Bloomington ahead of his last year either.

Not often is it that you have one great returning QB on the roster, let alone two. So as it stands now, the Hoosiers will be set under center no matter who it is, for at least another year.