The Indiana Hoosiers are set to begin the 2026 season on September 5 with a matchup against North Texas at Memorial Stadium. Coming off a perfect 16-0 season that culminated in a National Championship, the 6th-ranked Hoosiers are looking to make a strong statement in the season opener.
As fall camp continues on, some starting jobs are becoming more clear while others are still up in the air. With a solid mix of returning players and new additions via the transfer portal, we are starting to get an idea of what Indiana's starting group could look like.
Football is almost here, so here is our projected starting unit for the Hoosiers in Week 1.
Projecting Indiana's starting unit for Week 1 against North Texas
OFFENSE
Quarterback:
Josh Hoover, redshirt senior
No surprise here. Cignetti went out and got Josh Hoover from TCU early in the offseason, and his experience and skill set perfectly fits the mold for Indiana transfer QBs under Cignetti's leadership. Following in the footsteps of Fernando Mendoza is no easy task, but Hoover has what it takes to thrive in Bloomington.
Running back:
Turbo Richard, junior
Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan love to utilize multiple running backs. With that in mind, don't be surprised if Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr. all see solid playing time this season. With that being said, Richard should be the leader of the group. He comes to Indiana via Boston College, where he racked up 745 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, and 9 touchdowns on the ground last season.
Tight end:
Brock Schott, redshirt freshman
The Hoosier tight end room is widly inexperienced. All five TEs on the roster are either freshmen or redshirt freshmen, and the group has a combined 17 snaps of college football experience. Miami (FL) transfer Brock Schott has 16 of those, which could put him in the driver's seat to grab the TE1 job.
Wide receivers:
Charlie Becker, junior
Nick Marsh, junior
Tyler Morris, redshirt senior
Indiana's WR room is stacked. Charlie Becker returns after playing a leading role in Indiana's CFP run. Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh was one of the most electrifying playmakers to hit the portal. Together, they have the potential to be the most lethal WR duo in the country. The WR3 spot could go to either Michigan transfer Tyler Morris or Tulane transfer Shazz Preston. Morris has the edge when it comes to experience, and he is quite familiar with the Big Ten following his days in Ann Arbor.
Offensive line:
Left tackle: Carter Smith, redshirt senior
Left guard: Drew Evans, redshirt senior
Center: Bray Lynch, redshirt senior
Right guard: Adedamola Ajani, redshirt sophomore
Right tackle: Joe Brunner, redshirt senior
Cignetti all but confirmed the starting offensive line spots during Big Ten Media Days last month. Based on his comments, the Hoosier O-line will consist of LT Carter Smith, LG Drew Evans, C Bray Lynch, RG Adedamola Ajani, and RT Joe Brunner. This is very experienced group, with four of the five projected starters being fifth-year seniors.
DEFENSE
Defensive line:
Tackle: Tyrique Tucker, redshirt senior
Tackle: Mario Landino, junior
EDGE: Tobi Osunsanmi, redshirt senior
EDGE: Chiddi Obiazor, redshirt junior
The Hoosiers have a big advantage on the defensive front heading into the new season. Indiana returns its Top-4 sack leaders from last season, which could be increased to five if Stephen Daley is ruled eligible. Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino have the tackle positions locked down, while Kansas State transfers Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor figure to take the EDGE spots.
Osunsanmi is on breakout watch after collecting up 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in just 6 games before missing the rest of last season with an injury. Obiazor appeared in 28 games over three seasons in Manhattan, and was given All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition last year after collecting 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks.
Linebackers:
Rolijah Hardy, junior
Isaiah Jones, redshirt senior
Not much debate here. Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones were quite the dynamic duo at linebacker last year, and they should both be expected to be significant contributors once again in 2026.
Cornerbacks:
Jamari Sharpe, redshirt senior
A.J. Harris, senior
Jamari Sharpe etched his name into Hoosier sports lore by coming down with the game-winning interception in the CFP National Championship Game. With D'Angelo Ponds off to the NFL, Sharpe is now primed to be Indiana's top cornerback in 2026. Penn State transfer A.J. Harris seems to be in line for the other starting cornerback spot, although 5th-year senior Ryland Gandy could also see significant time as well.
Nickelback:
Byron Baldwin Jr, sophomore
The youngest projected starter on the Hoosier defense is Byron Baldwin Jr, who appeared in eight games as a freshman last season.
Safeties:
Amare Ferrell, senior
Preston Zachman, redshirt senior
Amare Ferrell brings 41 career appearances and 28 starts back to Bloomington for 2026. Wisconsin transfer and 7th-year senior Preston Zachman has 35 appearances and 20 starts under his belt, to go along with 7 career interceptions. Zachman has battled injuries throughout his entire career, so other players like Garrett Reese, Seaonta Stewart Jr, and Anthony Chung need to be ready if called upon.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker:
Nico Radicic, redshirt junior
Punter:
Billy Gowers, sophomore
Kick/Punt returner:
Turbo Richard, junior or Tyler Morris, redshirt senior
It will be interesting to see who handles the kick/punt returning responsibilities in Week 1. Turbo Richard and Tyler Morris both have elite speed and plenty of kick-returning experience. Shazz Preston is also a name to keep an eye on in the kick-returning department.
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