Returning From Injury

In 2007, the Indiana Hoosiers had to replace the top two tacklers but they could rely on cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Leslie Majors.  Last year they had to replace Porter and Majors and IU does not have the depth of talent to replace to corners that made NFL rosters.  Things were made worse when the unit was ravaged by injuries.  Christopher Phillips (week 3), Austin Thomas (week 8) and Nick Polk (week 9) were all lost to ACL injuries.  The Hoosiers lose Phillips and safety Joe Kleinsmith to graduation but Thomas, Polk and Jerimy Finch are healthy and ready to go.  IU has also moved the talented Ray Fisher to cornerback.  They have six secondary players with starting experience and if the front-four can get pressure on the opposing quarterback, these guys could make some big plays.  

Cornerbacks

-Chris Adkins- Redshirt Sophomore- 6'1", 186 lbs. from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis

Adkins started 12 games as a redshirt freshman last season.  He had 54 tackles and was the most consistent corner on the squad.  Adkins is a solid tackler that is pretty good in coverage.  His 6'1" frame gives him pretty good size for a corner.  Adkins will probably be a four-year starter as a Hoosier and his future is very bright.  

-Ray Fisher- Senior, 5'9", 185 lbs. from Cleveland, OH

Fisher started 19 games at wideout and was known as "Big Play Ray".  He played cornerback in high school and the depth at WR allowed the coaching staff to move him to cornerback in the spring.  Fisher is a very good athlete and should be fine in coverage.  I am skeptical that he can be a good tackler, we'll see.

-Donnell Jones- Sophomore, 5'10", 210 lbs. from St. Petersburg, Florida

Jones started 2 games as a redshirt freshman.  I like the 210-pound frame.

-Richard Council- Junior, 6'1", 201 lbs. from Carrollton, Texas

Council is a rare Hoosier from Texas.  He had 7 starts last season.  He had 45 tackles and broke up 9 passes.  Council and Jones will both get plenty of snaps in nickel and dime packages.

Strong Safety

-Austin Thomas- Senior- 6'2", 221 lbs. from Woodstock, Georgia

Thomas has started 23 games in his IU career.  That includes 5 starts and 41 tackles last season before he tore his ACL.  I love watching Thomas play and according to Coach Lynch, the leader of the secondary is 100% healthy.

-Jarrell Drane- Sophomore- 6'2", 197 lbs. from Plantation, Florida

Drane didn't play much last year.  If Thomas gets hurt again, Drane will have to step up.

Free Safety

-Nick Polk- Senior, 6'0", 225 lbs. from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Polk started his IU career as a WR.  He moved to free safety after his freshman season and has 20 starts on defense.  Polk has over 120 tackles in his IU career.  I love Polk's size and athleticism at safety.  He has bulked up in the offseason which should improve his sometimes shaky tackling.

-Jerimy Finch- Junior, 6'1", 223 lbs. from Warren Central High School (transfer from Florida)

Finch committed to IU during his junior year of high school.  However, he visited the University of Florida and decided to become a Gator.  After a pretty successful freshman season, Finch decided to transfer back to the Hoosier state.  He wasn't cleared to play until last August and the time he missed in spring practice and fall camp was too much to make up.  Finch's contribution was mainly on special teams.  He was injured midway through the year but is healthy now and ready to make an impact.  The 15th ranked safety prospect coming out of high school, it is time for Jerimy Finch to make an impact.

Tomorrow, I will do a brief breakdown of each game on the Hoosiers schedule and offer up my prediction for the 2009-2010 IU football season.  After that, I will move onto the rest of the Big Ten.  A programming note, if you have the Big Ten Network (if you don't...get it!), the Hoosiers will be featured on the Big Ten Football Tour on Monday, August 17 at 10 pm eastern.  I don't know what all will be shown but I imagine we will get a look at some of the team's recent practices and maybe some scrimmage action.  Again, tomorrow is the schedule preview.  Until then, stay vigilant and God bless America.