You can READ HERE what IU coach Bill Lynch thinks about the upcoming offseason, but here on Under the Rock the only opinions that really matter are yours.
What position or players would you most likely see Lynch and the Hoosiers target in recruiting? Below is a quick synopsis of the team.
OFFENSE:
Quarterback: Another year experience figures to bold well for Kellen Lewis, who will continue to be backed up by local product Ben Chappell. Probably the most secure of all positions on the team. Lewis improved greatly from his freshman year and figures to be the leader and most productive Hoosier on offense.
Offensive Line: They are missing three of their starters from last year. Lynch said that they'll be bigger next season, but is that good enough to tump a lack of experience?
Running Backs: Starter Marcus Thigpen will return, as well as Demetrius McCray and Bryan Payton. Thigpen and Payton were the featured backs last season, while McCray went down early to an injury but showed promise before his injury. An intriguing wild card will be incoming freshman Darius Willis, the highly regarded recruit who looked like an absolute stud during his ESPN under armor combine like workout, (which clip I can't find on youtube, or anywhere else.)
Receivers: The Hoosiers lose team MVP James Hardy to the NFL draft. However they return James Bailey, Ray Fisher and Brandon Walker-Roby. They anticipate getting Andrew Means back, but there's an off chance that he too will get drafted...only by Major League Baseball and not the NFL. If Means stays, they'll have his reliable hands coupled with the speed of Fisher and the playmaking ability of Bailey. With Means gone, this could be an area of concern for the Hoosiers.
DEFENSE:
Defensive Line: The Hoosiers return star Greg Middleton, as well as Greg Brown and Jammie Kirlew. Middleton's huge year will certainly make him a target, which could open the door for Kirlew to pick up his sack total. The only loss among the starters will be senior Joe Kremer, which will hurt more for his off the field leadership than his on the field play.
Linebackers: Senior Adam McClurg is gone...but outside linebackers Will Patterson and Geno Johnson are back. Figuring to compete for McClurg's job are Justin Carrington and Matt Mayberry, who both received playing time in the Insight Bowl, as well as parts of the regular season. Both showed they abilities to make some plays.
Defensive Backs: Obviously, Porter and Majors were the starting corners, and Porter was one of their most reliable performers. Junior Christopher Phillips was able to make some big plays and will likely become a starter, but the other starter and nickel corner will remain question marks. As for the safeties, Austin Thomas and Nick Polk will both be back, and with a year under his belt at the new position, Polk should be markedly improved.
There's the list. Long story short, defensive backs, and the men in the trenches are the big question marks. What concerns you most? Do you foresee any players or recruits stepping in and taking over a starting job?
