FOOTBALL

Curt Cignetti is ‘excited about the guys we’re able to bring in’ as Indiana Football bolstered the offensive line in the portal

In his second offseason with Indiana football, Curt Cignetti once again hit the transfer portal hard and bolstered the offensive line.

Published

34 minutes ago

February 7, 2025

Drew Rosenberg

Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti spoke with the media over Zoom on Wednesday afternoon to discuss signing day. © Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In his second offseason with Indiana football, Curt Cignetti once again hit the transfer portal hard.

After landing 31 transfers ahead of the 2024 season, Cignetti followed that performance by adding 20 transfers including some major pieces on the offensive line.

The offensive line played a major role in the program’s turnaround in 2o24, but that unit lost two key contributors. Starting center and captain Mike Katic and starting right tackle Trey Wedig both exhausted their eligibility which created two massive holes on the offensive line.

Cignetti added three potential replacements for the pair while retaining the other three starters on the offensive line.

Indiana football added former Notre Dame center Pat Coogan, former Ohio State tackle Zen Michalski, in addition to Kahlil Benson who returned to the program after transferring to Colorado in 2024.

“I’m excited about the guys we’re able to bring in from the portal. Kahlil Benson did a really nice job here at offensive tackle the year before I came. Obviously, Coogan started a lot of games at Notre Dame and played well. And Zen started and played meaningful minutes at Ohio State,” Cignetti said about the additions during his signing day press conference on Wednesday.

Cignetti is not just looking to replace the lost production from Katic and Wedig, he’s looking for the unit to take another step forward in 2025.

Kahlil Benson’s return to IU “says a lot about what went on last year”

Since Bob Bostad was hired by the previous staff the offensive line play has improved each year for Indiana football. That improvement was a big reason Cignetti retained Bostad when he took over the program in 2023.

“Well, we look to improve every position, and one of the many reasons that I retained Coach Bostad initially was what I had been told about the line’s improvement in his one year at Indiana before I arrived. And I had known of Bob for about a dozen years,” Cignetti said. “I thought he did a great job with that line. I thought the line functioned well.”

Indiana returned starters Carter Smith, Bray Lynch, and Drew Evans, but with six potential starters, there is bound to be one left out of the starting group. Evans, who is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury, could be the one relegated to a rotational role.

Cignetti has repeatedly emphasized the importance of competition with every position, and Indiana football will certainly have competition with the offensive line group.

“Competition is a great thing; it makes everybody better. So we’ll have increased competition on the offensive line,” Cignetti said.”

“Most of the guys up front can play multiple positions. They’re smart guys. Maybe some of the interior guys wouldn’t necessarily project real well at tackle, but there’s a few who could and vice versa.”

Bostad and Cignetti have often said how important versatility is on the offensive line and the additions reflect that.

While Pat Coogan seems like the obvious choice to start at center next season after starting there for Notre Dame he also has extensive experience at guard.

Kahlil Benson also has started games at multiple positions playing both right tackle and right guard during his career.

While adding players in the portal was important, Indiana football has emphasized internal development.

“I think some of the young guys, this is their opportunity to take another step. There’s a couple that we think could be ready to take meaningful snaps and play successful football in the fall,” Cignetti said.

“And that’s the bottom line. If you can play successful football, we’re going to find a role for you. So we don’t want to throw anybody out there before they’re ready, that’s for darned sure. And I think we’re in a position right now as a football team where we shouldn’t have to do that.”

Bray Lynch and Drew Evans were both examples of that development as they played their way into starting roles as sophomores after originally being projected as backups for the season.

Younger players like Austin Leibfried and Austin Barrett will certainly have opportunities in the spring, as Cignetti and Bostad work to determine the starting group.

After taking a major step last season Cignetti believes the offensive line can take another step forward in 2025 as Indiana football deals with new expectations after going 11-2 in 2024.

“I’m excited about what that line can look like, but it’s a day-to-day process. Like every other position, earned not given,” Cignetti said. “I try not to get too excited on the front end. I want to see it between the white lines.”