When head coach Curt Cignetti left James Madison for Indiana, he brought numerous players with him. One was Nick Kidwell, who served as the Day 1 starter at right tackle over the last four seasons with the Dukes. However, the projected starter reportedly suffered a season-ending injury this week.
If Kidwell is indeed out for the year, who will fill his role on the first-team offense?
What Happened to Nick Kidwell?
Kidwell started 34 games at JMU, but in that 34th start (Week 4 of last season), he suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first offensive snap. Offseason surgery held him out for all of spring, but he returned to practice this summer and was slated to be good to go for the fall.
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Unfortunately, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Kidwell suffered yet another season-ending knee injury at practice this week, although it’s unclear if it was the same knee he had surgery on.
If the two-time all-conference performer (2021 and 2022) wants to return for an eighth year in college, he could receive a second medical hardship waiver from the NCAA. But what does Kidwell’s injury mean for the Hoosiers this season?
Is Bray Lynch or Drew Evans Next Up at G for Indiana?
If there is one thing Indiana has along the offensive line, it’s options.
When Kidwell sat out the spring, redshirt sophomore Bray Lynch filled his spot at left guard and played well. Lynch and redshirt junior Vinny Fiacable are the only two projected backups who saw the field at guard or center last season, albiet in limited roles.
The other two backups at guard are redshirt sophomore Max Williams, who hasn’t seen any playing time in his young career, and Drew Evans, who transferred from Wisconsin last offseason. Cignetti has also spoken highly of Evans, and the redshirt sophomore started alongside Lynch in the spring game.
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If the coaching staff isn’t confident in either Bray or Lynch, they could opt to kick Trey Wedig, another Wisconsin transfer who is expected to start at tackle, inside to guard, and start redshirt freshman Austin Barrett on the bookend, as he was highly regarded as a true freshman.
The Hoosiers’ depth and versatility along the offensive line will be put to the test without the experience and high-quality play Kidwell provides, but they have the talent to remain poised up front.
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