5 key Indiana football players to watch in the season opener vs FIU

The 2024 college football season is underway, with Indiana football opening its season on Saturday, hosting FIU. 

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has revamped the program, creating a new-look team entering the season and his debut with IU.

“I’m excited to see us play,” said Curt Cignetti. “We do have a lot of work to do before we kick it off and I’m confident in this team.”

Anticipation is in the air in Bloomington going into week one.

Here are five Hoosiers you should keep an eye on Saturday afternoon.

Trending: 5 storylines to follow for Indiana football heading into the 2024 season

QB: Kurtis Rourke

Kurtis Rourke, the Ohio transfer, enters Indiana having five years of collegiate experience under his belt. Rourke surpassed 2,000 passing yards in each of the last two seasons, throwing for a career high 3,256 yards in 2022.

Aside from his talented passing skills, Rourke often finds himself scrambling or running the ball, rushing for nearly 800 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last three seasons. 

Rourke led Ohio to ten win seasons twice, as he looks to bring Indiana to their first bowl game since 2020.

RB: Justice Ellison

Justice Ellison comes to Indiana after spending four seasons at Wake Forest. Ellison put up better numbers in each of his last three seasons than any running back at Indiana last season.

Despite Indiana having a loaded running back room, Ellison is expected to start the season as the number one option.

“This is going to be an opportunity for me to really show what I can really do.”

WR: Donoven McCulley

Donoven McCulley is coming off of a breakout season, where he scored six touchdowns on nearly 650 receiving yards. 

McCulley, now playing with a quarterback who specializes in throwing the ball, could have himself a 1,000 receiving yard season. McCulley’s strong hands and speed makes him an instant threat to any defense. 

McCulley has adjusted nicely to the new atmosphere of coaching within the program.

“They were showing me that the proof is just in the pudding and I was just like I was going to take a chance on them and I think I made the right decision.”

McCulley was called out in the spring, but responded. He should be looked at as the leader at the position.

TE: Zach Horton

Zach Horton was one of many offensive players from JMU to follow Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan to Indiana. Between his sophomore and junior seasons at JMU, Horton totaled 434 receiving yards, scoring eight touchdowns. 

In his junior campaign, Horton ranked fifth nationally among tight ends in touchdown receptions. His excellent season earned him a selection on the First-team All-Sun Belt.

With Cignetti and Shanahan working with Horton for the past several years, it is expected the two coaches will feel very comfortable setting up a connection between Rourke and Horton. 

Following his first offseason in the Indiana program, Horton feels extremely confident with his personal goals for this season.

“Try to be first team again. I feel like I believe in myself, I could do that and obviously try to help the team in the best position to get them in a winning position.”

DB: Jamier Johnson

Before his time at Indiana, Jamier Johnson appeared in 17 games over two seasons at Texas, playing as an impactful underclassmen when on the field. Jamier Johnson appeared in just four games last season for Indiana after transferring from Texas. Johnson was limited throughout the season after getting surgery on his right hand. 

Now fully recovered, Johnson has been working hard all offseason, practicing with an extremely strong group of players.

“That group (Indiana wide receivers), I think they’re one of the best groups in the country. Different body types gives me different looks each week so I can be ready for the game.”

Johnson will be playing alongside D’Angelo Ponds, a freshman All-American. If Johnson can step up and be a consistent second option opposite of Ponds, Indiana football will have a very formidable pair of corners.

Indiana enters week one holding an undefeated 3-0 record against FIU all time, looking to add to the streak. 

SEE ALSO: New Indiana football coordinators followed Curt Cignetti because of culture and trust. Now, they feel ‘something special happening’.

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.