As the Indiana Hoosiers kick off fall camp, the energy in Bloomington is unmistakable. After a record-shattering 11-2 season under head coach Curt Cignetti, one that propelled Indiana into the national spotlight—the Hoosiers are now staring down a 2025 campaign loaded with expectations, a retooled roster, and a singular mission: prove last year was no fluke.
A Historic Leap Forward
Cignetti’s arrival has redefined the program. In just one year, he not only delivered the most successful season in IU football history, but he also ignited a cultural shift. Sellouts returned to Memorial Stadium. National shows like ESPN’s College GameDay and Big Noon Kickoff flocked to campus. “Study Later” towels waved like a badge of pride. The Hoosiers rolled to a 10-0 start before their first close contest, dominating opponents by an average margin of more than 25 points. And they did it all while showcasing one of the nation’s top-scoring offenses and a defense stacked with All-American talent.
Now, with preseason hype and a returning core of impact players, the program begins its second fall camp under Cignetti’s leadership, starting a new chapter with familiar hunger.
Backfield Rebuilt: A Three-Headed Ground Attack
Gone are last season’s lead backs, Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton, both out of eligibility. Yet, instead of a setback, Indiana’s running back room may have gotten stronger.
The Hoosiers hit the transfer portal hard, adding Big Ten veteran Roman Hemby from Maryland and UAB standout Lee Beebe Jr., who joins returning senior Kaelon Black, a trusted Cignetti favorite from their James Madison days. The trio is expected to form a dynamic rotation with complementary skill sets.
- Hemby, with 38 career starts, brings experience and vision from his time in the Big Ten.
- Black, shifty and tough, knows Cignetti’s system and is ready to rebound after limited touches in 2024.
- Beebe, with size and hands, offers versatility as both a power runner and a receiver.
Redshirt freshman Khobie Martin and special teams veteran Solomon Vanhorse round out the depth chart, though production behind the main trio remains untested.
“We’ve got a strong committee approach again this year,” Cignetti said. “You’ll see all three of those guys get reps, and we like what they each bring to the table.”
Offense Reloaded, Not Rebuilt
Indiana isn’t just relying on its rushing game. Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza arrives from Cal with high expectations and national attention after throwing for nearly 275 yards per game in 2024. With a receiving corps featuring All-American Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper, EJ Williams, and Jonathan Brady, the Hoosiers are expected to keep the scoreboard busy.
Last season, Indiana ranked second nationally in scoring, averaging 41.3 points per game. The offensive line returns several key pieces, including Carter Smith, Bray Lynch, and Notre Dame transfer Pat Coogan, adding size and stability to an already explosive unit.
Staying Aggressive on Defense
On the defensive side, Indiana returns All-Americans at every level: Mikail Kamara (DL), Aiden Fisher (LB), and D’Angelo Ponds (DB). Under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, who stayed despite major offers elsewhere, the Hoosiers posted the nation’s sixth-best scoring defense last year, holding opponents to just 15.6 points per game.
Cignetti’s defensive philosophy? “Aggression,” he says. The numbers back it up. Indiana finished 16th nationally in tackles for loss, making opposing offenses earn every yard.
Roster Limits and Business as Usual
Despite NCAA rule changes limiting rosters to 105 players (including walk-ons), Cignetti remains unfazed. “I’ve never been a fan of huge rosters,” he said after the first fall practice. “We’ve always operated around 100 or so. For us, it’s business as usual.”
The new roster rules, part of the House v. NCAA settlement, aim to control talent hoarding and ensure fairness. But for Indiana, which began fall camp with 106 players thanks to a grandfather exemption, the transition has been seamless.
Looking Ahead
With a favorable opening matchup against Old Dominion on August 30, Indiana is poised to start strong again. The pieces are in place, talent, leadership, depth, and perhaps most importantly, belief.
Cignetti’s message to the team and fans is clear: 2024 wasn’t lightning in a bottle. It was just the beginning.
