At wide receiver, questions and competition for IU
No position has had to endure a more widespread talent drain in the last two seasons in Bloomington than wide receiver.
Gone are the stalwarts of IU coach Kevin Wilson's first cycle of talent: Cody Latimer, Kofi Hughes, Shane Wynn. Departed, too, are key supporting cast members like Duwyce Wilson, Nick Stoner and Isaiah Roundtree.
In their place now is a group both heralded, and unproven.
Dominique Booth, Simmie Cobbs and J-Shun Harris all offered glimpses of their potential last season as freshmen, but none were able to command consistency. Transfers Camion Patrick and Marqui Hawkins both arrive with SEC pedigrees, but neither is established in FBS. The only seniors in the group are walk-ons, Andre Booker and Damon Graham.
Wide receiver has been a marquee position for Indiana for more than a decade, even predating Wilson's tenure. From Roby to Hardy to Doss to Belcher to Latimer to Wynn, it's been a regular strength for a long time.
But with fall camp opening in a week, it's a big, fat question mark slapped onto the forehead of Indiana's offense. There's an undeniable level of talent at wideout in Bloomington, talent with much to prove.
NAMES TO KNOW
Damon Graham, 5-10, 190 pounds, Sr.
Ricky Jones, 5-10, 185, R-Jr.
Marqui Hawkins, 6-2, 217, R-So.
Dominique Booth, 6-1, 206, So.
Simmie Cobbs, 6-4, 215, So.
Camion Patrick, 6-2, 210, JUCO
Nick Westbrook, 6-3, 205, Fr.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
There are more names we could add to that list, including Booker, Mitchell Paige, Isaac Griffith and some freshmen. It was kept brief to avoid the risk of becoming unwieldy.
However we order the wide receiver depth chart, it's one sorely lacking in experience heading into fall camp.
The top returners are arguably that trio of sophomores -- Harris, Booth and Cobbs -- who combined for 33 catches, 352 yards and two touchdowns (both of them Harris') last season. Now Harris is lost for the season to a torn ACL, a blow that will cost Indiana its most productive receiver from a season ago and open things up further in the slot.
Graham caught two touchdowns passes in the spring game.
Indiana adds Patrick, a one-time Tennessee commit, and Hawkins, who signed with Florida before transferring to UAB and is still yet to play a down of college football. Nick Westbrook brushed off late interest from several southern schools during an outstanding senior season (84 catches, 1,853 yards, 21 touchdowns) to honor his IU commitment.
Not one offers IU any guarantees.
BOUNDARY HELP NEEDED
When Wilson announced the addition of Hawkins and UAB teammate Jordan Howard in January, the receiver's size was a talking point.
"A lot of (defensive backs) won't be my size," Hawkins said. "I can be physical with them."
Theory is easier than practice for Hawkins, Patrick, Cobbs, Westbrook, Booth and any other receiver who might be in the mix to start along either boundary.
But one of quarterback Nate Sudfeld's greatest strengths is his deep ball, a strength Hughes and Latimer regularly exploited two seasons ago. Indiana needs to add that threat this fall.
OPEN COMPETITION
There is little that's guaranteed at receiver for Indiana. There is also room for optimism, both because of the talent on hand and because of the coaching staff's track record developing talent.
Last season was undoubtedly a step back, but in Wilson's five years in Bloomington, the passing game has generally been a point of strength. With Sudfeld healthy again, there's every reason to think Indiana will be able to fix the problems of last fall and rebuild its aerial attack.
It's just not clear yet who will be key to that rebuild.
OTHER POSITION PREVIEWS
Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.