Indiana football continued fall camp this week ahead of the start of the 2022 season. They addressed questions about the starting quarterback, progression of the offensive line and sophomore Donovan McCulley’s transition from quarterback to wide receiver.
On Monday, Aug. 15th, McCulley spoke on his transition from quarterback to wide receiver. McCulley committed in June 2020 as the highest-rated quarterback recruit in program history.
When injuries plagued the Hoosiers’ quarterback room during the 2021 season, McCulley ended up making seven total appearances including four starts as a true freshman.
“I’ve always wanted to play receiver,” McCulley said “That’s just always what I’ve seen myself as.”
Adam Henry, co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, said he is satisfied with McCulley’s progress in camp. Henry credits McCulley’s athleticism for his ability to make his transition easier.
“With a body like that, he can make plays,” Henry said.
Although switching from quarterback to wide receiver has taken McCulley some getting used to, he is finding his former role as a quarterback can help him benefit as a wide receiver.
[Related: COLUMN: Indiana football's starting quarterback is still a mystery, but is that a problem?]
“It definitely helps because when the quarterback scrambles, I know where he wants to throw the ball, so it makes it pretty easy,” McCulley said.
On Thursday, Aug. 18th, run game coordinator and offensive line coach Darren Hiller talked about the offensive line’s progression throughout fall camp. Senior offensive lineman Luke Haggard has made great progress in camp so far, Hiller said.
“Last year (Haggard) was a full-time guy for us and he’s plugging along now,” Hiller said. “He’s had a really good camp. Excited for him. A lot of growth.”
Hiller said he is impressed with senior offensive lineman Matthew Bedford’s growth from his freshman year during the 2019 season.
“The biggest thing for Matt has been the learning curve from playing high school football to college football,” Hiller said. “He’s going into his fourth year. The growth from a mental aspect – he still brings a physicalness from that perspective.”
Bedford also believes the mental aspect of his game has improved immensely from his first year at Indiana. The experience of lining up against different pass rushers and different defenses has helped Bedford grow his knowledge of the game, he said.
As for Bedford’s effect on the younger players in the locker room, he said he wants to be a positive influence after an absence of mentorship last season.
“I feel like now that I am in this position where I am able to have more of an impact on the younger guys, I am able to help get the guys ready that need to get ready for game day,” Bedford said. “ I feel like I need to take a giant responsibility in preparing them for the next game.”
Head coach Tom Allen said he is still unsure who will be starting at quarterback for the Hoosiers ahead of their first game this season. While the Hoosiers have not announced who will be under center for their season opener, Allen has indicated that it will either be redshirt senior Jack Tuttle or Missouri transfer redshirt junior Connor Bazelak.
Indiana football continues preseason prep this week ahead of its Friday night matchup against Illinois on Sept. 2 in Bloomington.
