The Indiana Hoosiers are now into the third week of fall camp preparing for the upcoming 2026 college football season.
The depth chart for this season already has some known locks. For example, Josh Hoover will be Indiana's QB1, and the offensive line seems to be in place. While some position battles are locked down, several are still up for grabs. In addition, projected starters are feeling the heat from strong competition further down the depth chart.
Here is a look at three projected starters who are looking over their shoulders in fall camp as other players are making a real push for starting jobs.
CB A.J. Harris
After an impressive season last year, Jamari Sharpe is slated for a massive role in the Hoosier secondary this season. With Sharpe taking one starting job, Indiana's other starting cornerback position is the subject of competition. As it stands, that competition is between Penn State transfer A.J. Harris and returner Ryland Gandy.
Harris has the edge when it comes to experience, as he has 34 appearances with 26 starts under his belt after one season at Georgia and two at Penn State. That experience, as well as an impressive junior season that saw him earn All-Big Ten defensive honorable mention in 2025, figures to put him in the lead for the starting job.
But Gandy shouldn't be overlooked. He appeared in all 16 games for the Hoosiers in their National Championship-winning season last year, and was a strong rotational piece in the secondary. In total, he collected 12 tackles and a tackle for loss while seeing sporadic playing time. Now looking for a bigger role, Gandy is pushing Harris for the starting job.
RB Turbo Richard
It will be interesting to see how the Hoosier RB depth chart shakes out. Boston College transfer Turbo Richard figures to take on a leading role after running for 749 yards. 5.2 yards per carry, and 9 touchdowns with the Golden Eagles last season. But Richard has two players behind him who are pushing for more playing time this season.
Redshirt sophomore Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr. both return to Bloomington, and both are capable of finding significant roles in 2026. Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan have used RB tandems over the past two years, and this well-rounded group has plenty of potential.
Martin racked up 505 yards and 6 touchdowns on 78 carries a season ago, and appears to be taking a big step forward in fall camp. Beebe Jr can also be a significant producer after going for 209 yards and a touchdown last season before suffering a season-ending injury after just three games.
WR Shazz Preston
Indiana's WR room features plenty of depth. The group is led by returner Charlie Becker and Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh, who could become the most lethal WR duo in the country. Tulane transfer Shazz Preston seems poised to grab the No. 3 WR spot. Last year, Preston paced the Green Wave in catches (43), receiving yards (723), and receiving touchdowns (4). He also posted an impressive 16.8 yards per catch average and a long of 69 yards. But Preston faces plenty of competition in fall camp.
Morris comes to Indiana after spending four seasons at Michigan. He missed all of last year with an injury, and is now searching for a steady role in the Hoosier passing attack. He could be in line to get it.
Morris was a part of Michigan's National Championship team in 2023, and totaled 23 catches for a team-leading 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2024. The Wolverines had one of the worst passing offenses in the Big Ten that season, and Morris is now in a much better situation. He's been impressive in fall camp so far, and if he keeps it up, could be in line for IU's No. 3 WR spot.
Add us as a preferred source on Google