Five observations from IU’s first two-deep depth chart

Tom Allen made his biggest splash of roster moves on Monday morning by announcing Michael Penix as the starting quarterback as he usurped returner Peyton Ramsey. That was certainly the biggest change in the two-deep depth charter but it wasn’t the only one.

Here’s a look at five other observations from the week one two-deep.

• Micah McFadden as starting linebacker - McFadden was able to beat out both Thomas Allen and James Miller for the starting spot alongside Raekwon Jones. McFadden came into the year behind both Allen and Miller. With him taking the reigns as the starter, it also makes the linebackers even younger across the board.
• Logan Justus or Charles Campbell as starting kicker - It was expected that Campbell would be the kicker of the future but the future might be now. Justus more than held his own last year. In fact, he was great. The fact Campbell has inserted his named into the mix certainly means he’s made a big impact this preseason.
• Reese Taylor as second-string CB - After struggling to find time on the field and making an impact offensively last year - though often through no fault of his own - Taylor switched to the other side of the field. He’s listed as the second-string CB along with A’Shon Riggins which means there should be plenty of Taylor on the field this season.
• Tiawan Mullen also as second-string CB - Taylor isn’t the only one who might make an unexpected impact on the outside defensively. Mullen, a true freshman, is also listed as a second-string CB alongside Jaylin Williams.
• Cole Gest or Ronnie Walker as second-string RB - Stevie Scott being the starter was a given, but the second-string spot was more up for grabs. Walker, one of the top recruits in the program’s history, has stepped up in the preseason and could see more time on the field to make an impact in a deep running back room.