Gerry DiNardo begins his second season as head coach in Bloomington and the Hoosiers are expected to better their one win season in the Big Ten from 2003. Though the team has another year under its belt, the talent on the roster is thin and less than a handful of players have marginal potential for the next level.
Offensively the top pro-prospect is receiver
Courtney Roby. A sure-handed pass with a good feel for the position, Roby
does a solid job reading the defense and knows how to get open.
Consistently catching the ball away from his frame, he is a reliable target that
comes away with the reception on third down. By no means a deep threat,
Roby lacks top playing speed and may be best as a third receiver in the NFL.
Hampered by a knee injury most of his junior season, Roby needs a big senior
campaign to jump back into the mix with for next April's draft. Aaron
Halterman is a nice sized tight end that gives effort blocking yet also excels
as a pass catcher. Another lacking top playing speed, Halterman may be
best for a team that keeps three tight ends on the roster. Offensive
lineman Chris Jahnke is a hard working blocker that has the versatility to be
used at either guard position or at center. A top competitor with a good
feel for the position, he is only a limited athlete, best in confined quarters
and a prospect that lacks the great upside for the next level. Finally,
quarterback Matt LoVecchio moves into his final season in the college ranks.
The former Notre Dame passer lacks size, pocket stature as well as an NFL arm,
but has the agility to make plays on the move and is very accurate in the short
field. Right now LoVecchio has a slight chance to make it as a backup
passer for a West Coast offensive system.
Defensively there is not much to choose from.
At one time and Damien Jones was considered a top prospect at cornerback but the
sophomore had to sit out the last season due to academic ineligibility and is
not presently on the Hoosiers active roster.