Indiana University’s football program is entering a season defined by youthful uncertainty at the tight end position, where six newcomers — all freshmen — are expected to shoulder the bulk of the workload.
Coach Curt Cignetti has repeatedly praised the trio of Brock Schott, Trevor Gibbs and Andrew Barker as the most promising among the group, noting their willingness to block and their surprising receiving instincts during spring and summer drills.
Northern Roots and New Beginnings
Schott stands out as the only scholarship tight end with prior college experience; he appeared in two games for the University of Miami, catching two passes for 24 yards before transferring to IU.
Barker, who saw limited action last year in the season opener against Kennesaw State, brings a modest but tangible game‑day exposure, while Gibbs missed much of the spring after foot surgery and only joined campus in January.
All three share a common thread: they hail from northern Indiana — Schott from Kokomo, Barker from Fort Wayne, and Gibbs from Crown Point — adding a regional flavor to the group.
Beyond them, the coaching staff is also evaluating Parker Elmore, a highly touted recruit from Columbus who missed his sophomore and junior high‑school seasons due to injury and eligibility hurdles, and P.J. MacFarlane, a summer enrollee who could provide depth.
The vacancy left by the departure of seasoned seniors such as Riley Nowakowski, Holden Staes and James Bomba is stark; those players formed the backbone of the offense in recent years, and their absence leaves a void that the freshmen must now try to fill.
With no veteran tight ends to lean on, the Hoosiers will rely on the raw talent and rapid development of this youthful cohort, hoping that their collective growth can sustain the offense throughout the 2023 campaign.