Progrums

Too Many Hands, Not Enough Targets: Indiana’s Tight End Conundrum

Indiana’s offense under Curt Cignetti has leaned heavily on versatile tight ends, with Riley Nowakowski and Zach Horton playing starring roles before departing for the NFL. Now the Hoosiers turn to a group of untested yet high-ceiling newcomers. Three redshirt freshmen—Andrew Barker, Blake Thiry and transfer Brock Schott—lead the charge, each boasting intriguing physical tools but limited college production. Barker impressed in spring camp with athleticism but needs to polish his hands and blocking. Thiry brings wide-receiver speed but has yet to learn in-line play. Schott, coming from Miami, offers the most experience despite a shoulder setback. Meanwhile, IU’s trio of true freshmen—Parker Elmore, Trevor Gibbs and PJ MacFarlane—hover on the horizon, each recovering from injuries or awaiting enrollment. With a light non-conference slate, Cignetti can extend this position battle into fall camp, but if forced to choose now, Schott would likely start with Barker and Thiry rotating in two-TE sets.

Welcome to “Tight Endapalooza,” where Indiana’s coaches are auditioning more future NFL must-haves than a tween’s garage band roster. It’s like Starbucks hired a barista for every blend, then wondered why nobody buys a drip coffee. Barker, the all-rounder who punted in high school, has dropped passes like free samples at Costco—surely a strategy to teach appreciation. Thiry, with his WR background, is still Googling “how to block” between reps. And Schott? The transfer portal’s equivalent of that mysterious spinach in your fridge—looks promising but might give you shoulder surgery flashbacks. Meanwhile, Elmore, Gibbs and MacFarlane are the fresh batch of hope, waiting in the wings because the Hoosiers love playing the long game—nothing says “we care” like bench-warming your five-star prospect. Strap in, IU fans: it’s the spring practice soap opera nobody asked for.