Indiana Football Notebook: Key quotes, notes and more following first fall camp scrimmage

The Indiana football program wrapped up week two of fall camp this week with its first of two scrimmages on Saturday.

While the scrimmage was closed to the public, there is a lot to take away from seven practices and one scrimmage thus far.

The Hoosiers are getting ready to take on Ohio State in week one on Sept. 2 in Bloomington.

Here are some of the key quotes, notes, observations and more from the first two weeks and first scrimmage.

‘Tough to separate out the QBs’ post-scrimmage

The biggest question going into Saturday was the play at quarterback for Indiana. Redshirt freshmen Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby have been competing for the starting spot since spring practice but at this point, there has been no clear separation.

And, that was still the case post-scrimmage.

“Tough to separate out the QB’s today – Tayven Jackson & Brendan Sorsby both had ok days – the kind of ups and downs you’d expect from Inexperienced guys,” Big Ten Network analyst Dave Revsine said. “Gets interesting w Dexter Williams – ahead of schedule in rehab – Tom Allen absolutely expects to have him back at some point.”

The two players have been splitting first-team reps throughout the first two weeks, yet there has been no clear separation at this point.

Both player continued 50-50 splits on Saturday.

Because the skillsets are similar, it allows for the Indiana offense to continuing working in new aspects of its scheme without having to wait to find out who will be the starter come Sept. 2.

On Saturday, head coach Tom Allen broke down some of the key characteristics of both players. For Brendan Sorsby it was: Arm Talent and a guy that ‘can make all the throws’. As for Tayven Jackson, it was A moxie and confidence that he brings to the group and to each throw.

At this point, there likely won’t be a decision — at least outwardly known — until the offense takes the field in the season-opener.

Dexter Williams likely back sooner than expected

While the starting quarterback spot is a competition between Jackson and Sorsby, the health of Dexter Williams continues to trend in a positive direction. Coming into the spring, there was an expectation he would likely miss the entire 2023 season. As he continued to progress nicely throughout spring camp and in the summer, there is now an expectation he will be back much sooner.

“He’s further along than we thought. He’s further along than where he thought he would be. He had his final checkup before fall camp and came back very positive. So, from that meeting he had with his doctors, we thought we could accelerate things for fall camp,” Allen said this week. “So he’s been out there taking reps and feeling pretty good … For sure midseason, to maybe even a couple earlier than that if possible. But midseason is a good projection … if he progresses at the rate he is currently, it could be a game or two before … haven’t had it where we just cut it loose yet, that’ll be in time.”

While Williams won’t be ready for the season-opener, it is likely that heading into full Big Ten play, he will be available.

Newcomers in secondary standing out as one of the biggest position battles brewing

The secondary is filled with many new faces and names. Both from the transfer portal and from the high school class. With so many positions up for grabs, it continues to be one of the most critical fall camps for that position group.

One player making a name for himself is JoJo Johnson. Johnson missed summer workouts while finishing up course work at Iowa Western Community College but has emerged as a real playmaker this fall.

“He’s a very talented young man when it comes to the athletic part of it. Now, we’ve got to get it to where he can play fast, think, go out there, make the checks, and be confident in what we’re doing,” IU cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby said. “I expect for him to be a contributor this year and help us meet our goals.”

“JoJo (Johnson) just got here right at the start of fall camp and has already turned some heads and done some really good things,” Allen added.

He missed the entire 2021 season while at Notre Dame due to an ACL injury.

Watch: Indiana football cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby discusses young secondary

Outside of Johnson, Kobee Minor, Jamier Johnson and Nic Toomer — all transfers as well — have emerged as playmakers in the defensive backfield.

James Monds, Jamari Sharpe, Josh Sanguinetti and others are back for Indiana, just not with all of the experience the Hoosiers are used to.

“It’s kind of crazy. This is the first time in a long time that we haven’t had anyone come back with Indiana experience. You start all over,” Shelby added. “Although you have some guys that have transferred in from other universities, who played a fair amount, they are leaving our terminology, how we do things, how we communicate, so you start from the very beginning.”

Bob Bostad making ‘immediate impact’ with offensive line

There is no question that the play of the offensive line was one of the top priorities this offseason.

The Hoosiers ranked in the bottom three in total rushing in each of the past two years and gave up 67 sacks in that same timeframe. That was second worst in the Big Ten over that span behind Iowa (72).

Thus far, Bob Bostad has received numerous endorsements in the few months he’s been in Bloomington.

“Bob has been a tremendous track record in our conference. I already feel like we’ve gotten better, certain things that he’s brought,” Indiana football head coach Tom Allen said at Big Ten Media Day. ” … Got several guys that play a lot of football at that position for us. I’m excited for that group to lead us on our way on offense.”

Read: Indiana football offensive line a ‘quiet group that’s confident’ and Bob Bostad looks to unlock it

The biggest change has been the attention to details and the little things that go a long way.

“There’s so much attention and details, it’s crazy,” IU senior Matthew Bedford said. “… That’s another big thing with Coach Bostad. When one [player] is wrong, you’re all wrong. Really honing in on the detail of things and doing it the right way.”

Big Ten analyst Dave Revsine echoed that sentiment on Saturday, pointing out the impact Bostad has already made.

Kamryn Perry emerging, could be in store for bigger role

The wide receiver room is one that needs to make significant strides this season. Thus far, players are emerging.

One player is Kamryn Perry. Perry is just a redshirt freshman but the talented wideout has made significant strides this summer and into falll camp.

“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.“

While Indiana has guys like Cam Camper, EJ Williams, DeQuece Carter, Donaven McCulley and others, Perry could see more snaps and bring additional depth to a key position.

Who’s standing out on both sides of the ball?

There have been numerous standouts thus far in fall camp on both sides of the ball.

On Saturday Indiana co-defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri and Walt Bell named some key players who have really stepped up this spring.

Offensively, Clemson transfer wideout EJ Williams, Stanford tight end Bradley Archer, running backs Josh Henderson and Wake Forest Christian Turner were all guys who came to mind for Bell.

Defensively, guys like Western Michigan defensive line transfer Andre Carter, West Virginia pass rusher Lanell Carr, Texas Tech defensive back Kobee Minor and Stanford linebacker Jacob Mangum-Farrar were all standouts for Guerrieri.

Indiana needs its transfer class to come in and produce immediately. It brought in 23 transfers and brings back only 46 percent of its production from last season, 121st in FBS.

With so many new faces, it’s imperative these guys are stepping up in fall camp, and thus far they are.

Kicking competition in flux

After Charles Campbell transferred to Tennessee this offseason, it left a big hole in the kicking game for Indiana.

Nicolas Radicic was one of the top prep kickers in the country and came to Indiana with high expectations. But, an injury left him out of Saturday’s scrimmage. Allen said he ‘is nursing something’ and it’s unclear when he will return.

So, during Saturday’s scrimmage it was Chris Freeman and Alejandro Quintero who split the kicking duties.

SEE ALSO: Key players to watch for Indiana football throughout fall camp

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics.