Updated Friday, September 4, 2026, ahead of the North Texas opener. Indiana does not publish an official depth chart, so this is the projected two deep based on fall camp reporting and what Curt Cignetti has confirmed publicly. It is updated after every game.
The defending national champion opens with a new transfer quarterback in TCU’s Josh Hoover, three running backs who all took first team reps in camp, and a defense anchored by the best interior tackle pair in the country. Most jobs were settled in August; the exceptions are tight end and one cornerback spot. One late development: an Indiana circuit court granted edge rushers Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt eligibility Friday on a temporary restraining order, which could reshape the pass rush rotation quickly.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Josh Hoover | Grant Wilson | Tyler Cherry |
| RB | Turbo Richard OR Khobie Martin OR Lee Beebe Jr. | — | — |
| WR (X) | Nick Marsh | Davion Chandler | — |
| WR (Y) | Charlie Becker | Shazz Preston | — |
| WR (Slot) | Tyler Morris | Lebron Bond | — |
| TE | Brock Schott OR Andrew Barker | Schott OR Barker | Blake Thiry OR Parker Elmore |
| LT | Carter Smith | Baylor Wilkin | — |
| LG | Drew Evans | Austin Leibfried | — |
| C | Bray Lynch | Matt Marek | — |
| RG | Adedamola Ajani | Evan Parker | — |
| RT | Joe Brunner | Ben Novak | — |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE | Josh Burnham | Chiddi Obiazor | Kellan Wyatt (cleared Friday) |
| NT | Tyrique Tucker | Joe Hjelle | — |
| DT | Mario Landino | Blake Smythe (Fr.) | Jhrevious Hall, Kyler Garcia |
| STUD (EDGE) | Tobi Osunsanmi | Daniel Ndukwe | Stephen Daley (cleared Friday) |
| MIKE | Isaiah Jones | Jeff Utzinger | Jacob Savage (Fr.) |
| WILL | Rolijah Hardy | Kaiden Turner | Henry Ohlinger (Fr.) |
| CB (boundary) | Jamari Sharpe | Carson Williams | Jaylen Bell |
| CB (field) | Ryland Gandy OR AJ Harris | Gandy OR Harris | — |
| Rover | Byron Baldwin | Quan Sanks | — |
| SS | Preston Zachman | Seaonta Stewart | — |
| FS | Amare Ferrell | Garrett Reese | Anthony Chung |
Special Teams
| K | Nico Radicic; Paddy McAteer on long attempts |
| KO | Paddy McAteer; Quinn Warren |
| P | Billy Gowers; Quinn Warren |
| LS | Drew Clausen; Sam Lindsey |
Position Breakdown
Quarterback. Josh Hoover, with 31 starts at TCU, has been the No. 1 for months. Cignetti officially named seventh year senior Grant Wilson the backup.
Running back. A genuine three way share. Boston College transfer Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr. all took first team reps in camp and all three will get carries; Cignetti had two 1,000 yard backs a year ago and will run it the same way.
Receiver. Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker and Tyler Morris are the clear starters. Davion Chandler and Shazz Preston are the first two off the bench and can play any of the three spots.
Tight end. The one unsettled offensive job. Brock Schott and Andrew Barker have both worked as the No. 1 and no decision has been made public; the loser starts as the No. 2.
Offensive line. The five, left to right, are Carter Smith, Drew Evans, Bray Lynch, Adedamola Ajani and Joe Brunner, confirmed in pieces through camp. If someone goes down, expect the starters to shift rather than a straight substitution; Baylor Wilkin, Austin Leibfried and Matt Marek are the top reserves.
Defensive line. Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino are one of the best interior pairs in the country, with Tulsa transfer Joe Hjelle and true freshman Blake Smythe behind them. Josh Burnham and Tobi Osunsanmi are the starting edges. Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt were cleared by an Indiana court on Friday; how quickly they factor in depends on conditioning after time away.
Linebacker. Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy are unquestioned starters in a defense that uses two most of the time. Jeff Utzinger and Kaiden Turner rotate in three linebacker looks.
Secondary. Jamari Sharpe is the No. 1 corner. The other side is Ryland Gandy OR Penn State transfer AJ Harris, who has been dealing with a nagging injury. Preston Zachman and Amare Ferrell start at safety and Byron Baldwin is the rover, with Quan Sanks the versatile backup.
Special teams. Nico Radicic returns as the kicker with Paddy McAteer, brought in for kickoffs, available on long attempts. Billy Gowers won the punting job over Quinn Warren.
The Bottom Line
Indiana is settled everywhere but tight end and one corner, and the Friday court ruling could add two edge rushers to a rotation that was already deep. The opener is previewed at North Texas vs. Indiana and the full slate is on our Indiana schedule. This page is updated after every game.