If Indiana football is to rebuild in the offseason through a development-first approach, it starts with ensuring true and redshirt freshmen continue on positive trajectories ahead of the 2024 season. Here are nine freshman to watch for, according to Tom Allen.
Indiana football’s 2023 season will officially conclude following Saturday’s rivalry game against Purdue, which means the Hoosiers must start planning for the future.
If IU is to rebuild in the offseason through a development-first approach, it starts with ensuring true and redshirt freshmen continue on positive trajectories ahead of the 2024 season. While the Hoosiers were largely veteran-heavy this season — whether through the transfer portal or homegrown talent — multiple freshmen slowly emerged as the season progressed.
On Wednesday, IU coach Tom Allen named several freshman that he’s encouraged by and could have a much bigger impact as soon as next season. Here’s all of the freshman standouts that Allen listed, along with notes regarding 2023 stats and redshirt eligibility.
The following quotes are per Allen; the notes are not.
BIGGEST VIP SALE OF THE YEAR: GET 75% OFF AN ANNUAL PEEGS.COM SUBSCRIPTION!
DEFENSE
“TaDerius Collins is one that really sticks out to me. I think he’s really a guy that we’ve had a chance to bring along here the last few weeks, and just to see the way he’s developed, I’m excited for him.
“I know Robby Harrison is not a true freshman, he’s a redshirt freshman, but he did come to us from another school and I’m just really excited about how he’s grown and developed as well.
“Amare Ferrell is another one I’m super pumped about.
“We’ve obviously seen what Jordan Shaw can do, and excited about his future with us.”
Notes: True freshman defensive end TaDerius Collins has been mentioned by Allen multiple times throughout the campaign, especially in the back-half, as a youngster pushing for more playing time. The former top-500 national recruit was IU’s third-highest rated signee in the 2023 class, and his gradual development is apparently worth monitoring. The Shreveport, La., native has yet to record a statistic this season, but he’s been much more involved in recent games.
Arizona State transfer Robby Harrison hasn’t seen much playing time in his first campaign with the Hoosiers — three appearances, three total tackles — but he was a former top-100 defensive tackle prospect in the 2022 class who Indiana recruited heavily. Next season will be his third at the college level, and with IU’s expected attrition on the interior of the defense line, Harrison should have a great opportunity to earn significant snaps.
True freshman defensive back Amare Ferrell has been thrust into a larger role in recent weeks following the injury absence of starting husky Noah Pierre. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Ferrell already has the size to be Indiana’s future at husky (DB/LB hybrid). Ferrell has played in 10 games this season, taking a redshirt year off the table, and recorded nine total tackles.
Former Colorado decommit Jordan Shaw was IU’s top-rated signee in the 2023 class (No. 613 nationally) and he’s quickly established himself as one of IU’s most promising young cornerbacks. Through four games, Shaw has tallied 12 tackles, one pass breakup, 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. The Downey, Ca., native has reached his four-game redshirt limit, so it remains to be seen if he plays in the regular season finale against Purdue or if IU opts to preserve his redshirt.
OFFENSE
“I think Derrick Bohler‘s another one that has really kind of come on here in the last part of the season. He’s really caught my eye in the way he’s done things.
“And our young tight ends, Sam West and Anthony Miller, two guys that we’ve gotten a chance to get involved as well. So I really like this class of guys.
“Broc Lowry is not one we’ve talked about much from a getting reps perspective, but he’s been with our scouts every day. We’ve actually moved him up with the older guys, giving him the opportunity to do some inside run work and working on the run reads, and I see him every day throwing to our scout team. But really, really like who he is and what he can become as a player for us.
“Austin Barrett‘s another one that I’ll mention that I’m really excited about and his future development. So it’s a good group, but it’s a group of guys we’ve got to build off of and keep growing and allow them to have a really, really big offseason so they can have an impact in 2024.
Notes: All five offensive players mentioned Wednesday by Allen are no strangers to public praise this season from IU’s head coach.
Derrick Bohler was one of IU’s final commits in the 2023 class, and while not highly ranked (No. 193 WR prospect), Bohler has emerged on the scout team as a player to watch in the coming years. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has not recorded any stats this season and will maintain his redshirt year, but with IU set to lose at least a few receivers in the offseason, Bohler could see the field plenty in 2024 and beyond.
At tight end, both Sam West and Anthony Miller’s names have popped up throughout the season. West and Miller were two of IU’s seven-highest rated signees in the 2023 class, and they could be represent IU’s future at the tight end position. West was a spring enrollee while Miller didn’t arrive until the summer, though both have intriguing size and skillsets.
Broc Lowry could be waiting a while to play, especially if redshirt freshman Brendan Sorsby continues to improve as IU’s starter, but the former three-star quarterback has made strides while leading IU’s scout team offense. Lowry’s dual-threat skillset is exactly what offensive coordinator Rod Carey covets, and with so much roster movement at quarterback every offseason across the country, Lowry could ascend the depth chart quickly.
Austin Barrett was name-dropped during fall camp despite only being a true freshman, and his development has seemingly stayed on the right path after multiple months. At 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, Barrett is ready-made to play at either offensive tackle spot, though he needs in-game experience. Indiana is set to lose at least starting offensive linemen Matt Bedford and Mike Katic to graduation — and who knows what’ll happen with the transfer portal — so there’s a chance for Barrett to earn a significant role in 2024.
Leave a Reply