Indiana Football: Stock risers and standouts from Spring Camp

Spring camp has concluded and the Curt Cignetti era of Indiana football has officially begun.

With the transfer portal currently open and plenty of areas of need on the roster, there is still plenty of work for the coaching staff to do between now and the start of fall camp. As they evaluate the needs of the team, some players and position groups stood out during the spring.

Here are some players who improved their stock during the spring camp.

Stock Risers from Spring Camp

The Running Back Room

This offseason, Cignetti and his staff completely replaced the running back room from the 2023 season. Coming into spring camp there have been plenty of questions including who could become ‘the guy‘ in a crowded room and what the running backs would like for Indiana football.

While spring camp cannot answer every question, it did give Cignetti and fans more confidence about the running back room. Specifically Ty Son Lawton, Kaelon Black, and Justice Ellison.

“All three of those guys just love football,” Cignetti said about the three after the Spring game. “They’re football nuts. Tough guys. They’re tough guys.”

The two transfers from James Madison, Ty Son Lawton, and Kaelon Black both had great performances in the spring game. Black had four rushes for 38 yards and caught his only target for one yard.

Lawton also had four carries for 23 yards and a touchdown. He reeled in his only target of the game for three yards.

Justice Ellison and Elijah Green also saw significant action in the game but were less productive on the ground. Ellison finished with five rushes for 13 yards and a score. He also caught both of his targets for eight yards.

Green led the team in carries with seven, but only finished with 22 yards. He also reeled in both of his targets for four yards.

“I think that group definitely caught my eye,” Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti said after the game. “I just think our running back room is faster, more dynamic, good at pass pro, good at catching the ball out of the backfield, can break tackles. We have more speed and athleticism back there.”

Indiana football has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Stevie Scott did it in 2018. With the current depth in the room, that likely won’t change this year. However, the production from the current group should be an improvement over years past.

The combination of different skill sets and game experience from the four running backs makes for an exciting RB room.

“It’s huge. I think we have one of the deepest running back rooms in the country,” Indiana football quarterback Kurtis Rourke said after the game. “A lot of guys who can make plays, as shown by today. As the quarterback you want to pass the ball but being able to run the ball effectively opens up the pass. Being able to have running backs create plays on their own helps the offense as a whole.”

Andison Coby

It is no secret that the receiving core of this team was going to be strength. With both Donaven McCulley and E.J. Williams back and the addition of Elijah Sarratt, Indiana football is going to rely on this group ahead for the 2024 season.

While Andison Coby might not have had much of the attention on him coming into spring camp, he certainly left with a lot more eyes on him.

After only catching five passes a year ago, Coby had an incredible performance in last week’s spring game. Coby finished with four catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.

The 6-foot-2 178-pound receiver spent his first season at Tennessee before transferring to Indiana. Now in his third year, Coby could establish himself as the third or fourth receiver on the depth chart.

Coby showed his explosiveness and strength during the game including when he won a 50/50 ball that led to a 39-yard reception.

With Curt Cignetti, Indiana football wants to throw the football and Coby’s development adds another weapon outside for him to use.

Kurtis Rourke and Tayven Jackson

Throughout spring camp Cignetti has not been shy about his praise of new quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

The 2022 MAC Offensive Player of the Year has seemingly established himself as the starter for the 2024 season after a strong spring camp.

“He just looks like [he is more comfortable],” Cignetti said about Rourke earlier in spring. “The last two practices he’s been functioning, looking like a high-level quarterback.”

Rourke did not have the flashiest spring game, but still had a solid performance.

He finished 19-for-30 (63.3%) with 124 yards and a touchdown.

“The big emphasis this spring was to get control of this offense and control of the team and the offense be able to run that,” Rourke said. “Because when you do that, you’ll have the confidence to go out and play. So that’s what I was trying to do every single day.”

While Rourke has played well, it was Tayven Jackson who stole the spotlight during the spring game.

Jackson has had a slow start to camp and Cignetti said as much but had a strong showing during the spring game.

He was 10-for-14 (71.4%) with 160 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

“I was trying to figure out if our two offense was that good or our two defense was that bad,” Cignetti said after the game. “I think I know the question to that — or the answer. I think the freshman corner got exposed a little bit in the boundary. But Tayven made some nice throws, and Andison made a play or two, Coby. But we then turn around and drop a ball, could have been a big play, throw an interception. Kurtis was the victim of some dropped passes that could have kept some drives alive.”

The outcome of the spring game likely won’t cause any changes to the quarterback depth chart just yet. What it did do, is it showed that both quarterbacks are capable and the battle for the starting spot could be a lot more interesting than expected.

Aiden Fisher

Fisher had an incredible 2023 season with JMU where he recorded 108 total tackles, six tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and an interception.

As a result, Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines made it their mission to bring him to Indiana.

“I think Bryant Haines sleeps a lot better at night with him,” Cignetti said of Fisher after the spring game. “He’s like a quarterback of the defense. Knows it inside out, really studies, really respected by his teammates too, helps get others lined up. So making progress, good football player.”

During the spring game, Fischer showed his importance on the field making 7.5 tackles in the game.

The first-team defense put on an impressive display as they stifled the offensive starters. Fisher flew around the field making plays and figures to be a critical piece to Indiana football’s defense.