Indiana Football: 5 redshirt freshmen who could see extended action in 2023

Indiana football had a historic recruiting class in 2022 — one that was ranked inside the top-25 nationally and the top class in program history.

After a 4-8 season in 2022 where most of the freshmen failed to see numerous and valuable snaps on the field, there were a handful of players who kept their redshirt season intact.

Like many programs, Indiana football lost numerous players to either the transfer portal or to graduation this offseason. It replenished by adding 38 newcomers to its roster.

But, throughout fall camp, there have been some key redshirt freshmen who have stepped up and will likely play a larger role this season.

While the quarterback position will be played by a redshirt freshmen, we take a look at some of the other players who may be flying under-the-radar who could break out. Here is a look at some of those players.

READ: Full Ride Network 2023 College Football Preview: Can the Big Ten break through with a National Title?

OL Carter Smith

Carter Smith came to Indiana as a four-star prospect and appeared in two games as a true freshman.

At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Smith has very good size and ability on the offensive line. While he was expected to see an increased role this season, one of the biggest takeaways from the first half of fall camp was when new offensive line coach Bob Bostad mentioned Smith as a first-stringer.

“Carter Smith, he’s playing well right now. I mean, he’s, right now, first-string,” Bostad said. “So those are young guys that are gonna be playing for us a lot, that need to come along.”

Indiana has a lot of experience on the offensive line, but there is no hiding the struggles it has had as a unit over the past two seasons. Bostad has coached numerous All-league and All-Americans who have now gone on to play in the NFL. If Bostad is excited about Smith, that is a major step.

We’ll see if Smith remains with that first-unit, but regardless, look for him to be a regular and consistent member of the offensive line rotation this season.

WR Kamryn Perry

There is no question that Indiana failed to have explosiveness on the outside at wide receiver a season ago. It has struggled with that for much of the past two years.

Kam Perry arrived at Indiana after a terrific senior season in high school, catching 63 passes for 1,116 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He appeared in just one game as a true freshman.

But, Perry has flashed his potential this summer and fall.

“Every day there’s something that he is getting better at,” Indiana wide receivers coach Anthony Tucker said. “ … He’s just steadily coming along. He’s a highly motivated guy, he’s got a really good work ethic. He’s always doing things on his own. He’s texting me and asking questions about certain things because he’s very inquisitive and wants to learn more. He loves being here and loves being part of this team. His development from when I got here to where he is now, is night and day.“

Perry is a small but quick and shifty receiver at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds. Indiana loaded up with some additional playmakers at wide receiver this offseason, but with Walt Bell’s offense and Anthony Tucker’s addition to the wide receiver room, look for numerous players to get snaps and produce this season.

DB Jamari Sharpe

Probably the player who will see the biggest jump is Jamari Sharpe. The defensive backfield is the most open position group heading into week one and it’s a group that is extremely young.

Sharpe played in three games as a true freshman but this season he has the potential to start game one.

“He’s been one of the guys that we targeted that we said we’d like to see step up and elevate … he’s got length, he’s extremely fast. He’s a 4.3 guy, an elite sprinter in high school. Just felt like he had that potential,” IU head coach Tom Allen said this week. “Really encouraged by his progress … he’s right there with the older guys. He’s one of our top two or three corners on the team right now and that’s an awesome thing … he’s going to play a whole lot and potentially be a starter.

“He’s got those traits you’re looking for and continues to develop with the technique and fundamentals that it takes to play that position. It’s a hard position to play and he’s going to be tested at a high level in week one and really excited for that for him because that’s an opportunity for him to grow and develop and prove who he is.”

Sharpe has great size and length at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds to be a very talented player and big time playmaker in the secondary for Indiana.

WR Omar Cooper Jr

Omar Cooper was one of the bigger recruiting wins for Tom Allen over the last few seasons. A very talented and athletic player at Lawrence North (Ind.) high school, Cooper came to Indiana as someone who was expected to be a big producer in the future.

The difference in his game from some of the other wideouts that could be useful for the Hoosiers is his physical style of play. At 6-foot-1 and nearly 200 pounds, Cooper has a terrific frame.

Tom Allen mentioned Cooper as someone who has come on in a big way during the second half of fall camp and is making big plays almost every day.

As for Perry, look for Indiana’s wide receiver room to be extremely versatile and a continuous rotation especially as Cam Camper gets his legs back under him returning from injury.

DL Venson Sneed / DL Nick James

Both Venson Sneed and Nick James were big time playmakers and highly rated prospects coming out of high school. Now, both look to step up.

The reason they are paired together is they will likely both see increased snaps and be part of the defensive line rotation in a similar manner. Both players continue to stand out to offensive line coach Paul Randolph.

“I got (Venson) Sneed, a young fella coming up. I am really excited about. Of course, Nick James, who got a little bit of playing time last year is doing really good job. He is one who is in the mix,” Randolph said. 

If you were to pick one who may jump out a bit more, it would be James due to his versatility and ability to play both inside and outside on the line. Randolph mentioned Sneed as an ‘inside-only’ lineman which may limit his opportunities a bit.

Sneed is 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds while James is 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds. Both have tremendous frames for being their second year in college and both did a great job reshaping their bodies this offseason.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football makes decision on starting quarterback, won’t announce publicly

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