Big Ten media days kickoff this week in Indianapolis where coaches and players across the conference will speak to the media ahead of fall camp. It will be the first time the entire conference will be together since the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. It will also be a chance for IU football fans to hear from new head coach Curt Cignetti and three of the expected leaders on the new-look roster.
Cignetti will be joined by returning offensive lineman Mike Katic, former JMU linebacker Aiden Fisher, and former Wake Forest running back Justice Ellison. The group of Hoosiers will be speaking on July 25th.
The trio of players will each be able to give a unique perspective into the outlook of IU football ahead of the 2024 season.
Below are five storylines to keep track of during Big Ten Media days for IU football.
The change in culture with Curt Cignetti
Mike Katic’s return was big for IU Football. Not only were they getting their captain back, but they also were getting someone who has started 37 games over the last four seasons.
Katic’s first four seasons with the Hoosiers were with Tom Allen as the head coach which makes his perspective even more interesting. Katic will be able to speak on the differences between Coach Allen and Coach Cignetti.
Cignetti spoke about changing the culture and narrative surrounding IU Football throughout the spring. He boasts confidence and a belief in himself and his staff that they can turn the program around.
While most of the questions can not be answered until Indiana steps on the field for the first time under Cignetti, Katic will be someone who can speak on what changes he has seen since the coaching change last winter.
How the new additions are adjusting
IU Football added 31 players to the roster in the transfer portal. While many of them came from James Madison, Cignetti also added talent from different schools across the country.
Running back Justice Ellison was one of those additions after leaving Wake Forest after four seasons to join IU Football.
Despite being new to the roster, Ellison is looking to establish himself as a leader with IU Football. Ellison has said Cignetti’s passion was a big reason he chose Indiana.
“It was really about faith for me, just taking that step. Cignetti, I saw how passionate he was,” Ellison said during spring camp. “This guy is passionate and that’s what I want to be a part of.”
Ellison last spoke to the media during spring camp. Now that he has been with the program for the entire spring session and into the summer, he will likely have much more insight into how he and other transfers have been adjusting to the new era of IU Football.
Curt Cignetti’s expectations for year one
Cignetti has not been shy when it comes to his expectations for the future of IU Football. He wants to win and he wants to do it right away.
“You look at my historyand a lot of the assistant coaches have been with me the whole time we winand [Indiana’s history] is about the opposite. So something’s got to giveand it wasn’t going to be me,” Cignetti said during his appearance on Next Up with Adam Breneman.
Cignetti’s confidence is contagious and has led to some newfound excitement surrounding IU Football.
In the past, it has typically taken years to turn a program around, but the transfer portal has allowed coaches to speed up the process.
With 31 new additions including a ton of key players from his 11-1 James Madison team and a relatively easy schedule, Cignetti could jumpstart the rebuild in year one.
Aiden Fisher and Justice Ellison represent the key role transfers will play in 2024 for IU football
The differences between JMU and IU
Linebacker Aiden Fisher played a huge role on Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ defense with James Madison last season. He led the team in tackles with 108 and was the quarterback of the defense.
“I think Bryant Haines sleeps a lot better at night with him,” Cignettisaid of Fisher after the spring game.“He’s like a quarterback of the defense. Knows it inside out, really studies, really respected by his teammates too, helps get others lined up. So making progress, good football player.”
Fisher joining IU football was a massive boost both on and off the field for Cignetti and his staff.
As someone who played under Cignetti with JMU, Fisher has experience in the system and will be thrust into a leadership role in his first year with IU Football.
As the only former JMU transfer going to Big Ten Media Days with Indiana, he has the unique perspective of seeing how Cignetti has been adjusting to the Big Ten. Fisher can touch on the differences between Cignetti at JMU versus him now coaching Indiana.
The QB Room
A big reason Curt Cignetti was brought in to lead IU Football is because of his success with developing quarterbacks.
While there are fewer questions about the quarterbacks than in years past, there are still some that are yet to be answered. It’s clear that Kurtis Rourke will be the starter, but how he and the rest of the room are developing is critical to the future of the program.
With only one year of eligibility left, Rourke came to Indiana to be the guy, but Cignetti made sure to buildup the QB room behind him.
Cignetti added freshmen Tyler Cherry and Alberto Mendoza to the program. With them joining IU football and the return of Tayven Jackson, Cignetti will have options moving forward after the 2024 season.
The development of those three will be critical to the future of IU Football and Cignetti will likely get the chance to speak on the development of the quarterbacks on Thursday.
This article first appeared on Hoosier Illustrated and was syndicated with permission.
