IU mailbag: Optimism rising for Romeo Langford to pick Hoosiers

BLOOMINGTON – IU football nabbed a big win last weekend, and Archie Miller is looking for a blue-chip commitment. That’s what dominates this week’s mailbag.

@ufolover173 asks: “What’s the latest with Romeo Langford? Are we in a better position as the word has come that he’s coming to Hoosier Hysteria?”

Understandably, there were an awful lot of Romeo Langford-centric questions for the mailbag, so let’s roll them all up in here.

It’s still too early, I think, to really anoint a favorite in the Langford sweepstakes. For a while, folks would have had you believe it was Duke, but the Blue Devils didn’t even make his top seven. Kentucky also seems to have faded, according to Courier-Journal reporter Fletcher Page.

That doesn’t put IU in the driver’s seat by any means, but any news of other suitors falling away is good news for Indiana.

As for the Hoosier Hysteria visit, I don’t know that it specifically puts the Hoosiers in a better position — though you’d obviously imagine the visit itself could help IU’s cause. But the larger signal that it sends, that Archie Miller and his staff are getting Langford on campus for the showcase recruiting weekend of the fall, is certainly a good one.

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@JackAllenMarti2 asks: If Romeo Langford commits, will IU be national championship contenders?

Big Ten title contenders, certainly. National championship contenders? Let’s pump the brakes.

Contending for a national title, in the event that you bring a top-five player into your program, that’s not a stretch. But IU will be very young next year either way. The Hoosiers project to have just one senior on roster (Juwan Morgan) and will lose five after the upcoming campaign.

Bringing in talent of that caliber — and that of players like Jerome Hunter, Robert Phinisee, etc. — will make the Hoosiers a difficult proposition for anyone. A Final Four would absolutely be possible. Just don’t nail it on is all I’m saying.

• INSIDER: Archie Miller, IU put rest of Big Ten on notice

• NEDDENRIEP: The battle for Romeo Langford is on

@colinbrown2013 asks: “What will we do with our last two scholarships in 2018? Are we in in for any bigs in 2018 or do we wait for 2019?

Langford definitely has a spot in the class as long as he wants it. Jake Forrester visited this weekend. Darius Garland still seems like a reasonable option, though I’m not sure if that’s changed with Phinisee’s commitment. Luguentz Dort is in the mix as well.

IU can be more selective at this point, having crossed off a couple of big needs already (point guard, wing depth). And if you are holding a spot for Langford, then you’ve only got one more to play with, so it would make sense to be patient. 

As to the question about bigs, that appears much more likely to be addressed starting in 2019. IU has Morgan, Clifton Moore and De’Ron Davis all on scholarship right now. It’s not a massive need just yet.

@BrennanCarter98 asks: “Do you see Clifton Moore receiving major playing time behind De’Ron Davis because of foul trouble? How would that limit or contribute to the team’s offensive or defensive potential?

It’s impossible to say yet on your first question, purely because we need to see more of Davis under a new coach, in a new system and as the product of a full summer of conditioning.

No Hoosier was more foul-prone last season that Davis (seven fouls committed per 40 minutes). That, combined with what Davis has since described as a litany of minor injuries, limited him on and off through Big Ten play. The injuries and the fouls were a byproduct of playing catch-up in conditioning, which won’t be an issue this year. It’s conceivable his foul troubles improve, though that’s a big number to trim.

As for the second part of the question: Having not seen Moore since his arrival to IU, it’s hard to make a firm call about just how good he’ll be as a freshman. I know he’s regarded as a player with a lot of potential. Just can’t make sweeping judgments yet.

@RunningBeard1 asks: “Where is Tyler Natee?”

If Romeo Langford was topic 1a on everybody’s mind this mailbag, Tyler Natee is 1b.

The 260-pound sophomore is still with the program. He was listed on IU’s travel roster Saturday at Virginia, and coaches have praised him at various points since the start of spring ball for slimming down and improving.

The interest in Natee is understandable. He was IU’s leading returning rusher this season, with 237 yards in 2016 (including 111 in one game alone), and the Hoosiers have struggled on the ground to start this season.

Tom Allen said Monday that Natee is battling through an injury lingering from fall camp, and is working his way back to full fitness. So now you know.

• INSIDER: Allen embracing QB competition after Ramsey starts at UVA

• REPORT CARD: Grading the Hoosiers' win over Virginia

@ElBonko asks: “Are the early offensive line issues more talent-related or coaching-related?”

Probably experience-related as much as anything. The left side of IU’s line has been strong, and that’s to be expected, with Wes Martin and Coy Cronk back. Martin was Indiana’s player of the game on offense after the Virginia win.

But elsewhere, things are still settling out. Delroy Baker is filling in at right tackle, but I would expect Brandon Knight to push him when he’s healthy. Simon Stepaniak is replacing Dan Feeney, which is no easy feat. And IU is still smoothing out its center rotation between Hunter Littlejohn and Harry Crider.

On top of all that, IU has a new offensive line coach, and no seniors at the position. I would give the group a few more weeks before we pass firm judgment. It’s a talented group, but a young one.

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@RENorell_III, presumably impressed by my taste in pizza-accompanying beverages, asks: “What is the best non-pizza place to eat in Bloomington?”

This is a tough one, because I think it’s broadly governed by your preference of Bloomington experience. Some would say Nick’s, for the atmosphere. Some would go for a place like Farm for something adventurous, or maybe a staple like Trojan Horse.

If I had one meal left to eat in this town, though, it would be at Zagreb’s, and I would hang the expense.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.