IU position preview: Can Chase Dutra help Hoosiers reset at safety?

The long-term plan at the back end of IU's defense was coming together.

Antonio Allen was becoming arguably Indiana's best defensive player. Chase Dutra, his versatile, athletic classmate, was emerging at safety. Allen led all Hoosiers in tackles in 2014. Dutra appeared in all 12 games, tied for the team lead with three interceptions and was twice named IU defensive player of the week.

Now Allen is gone, dismissed from the program after his summer arrest. And Dutra -- surrounded by promising but largely unproven teammates -- steps into the spotlight alone.

Can Dutra lead a revival at safety, and help Indiana improve on a pass defense that finished last in the Big Ten a season ago?

NAMES TO KNOW

Chase Dutra, 6-1, 205, R-So.

Mario Swann, 6-1, 200, R-So.

Kiante Walton, 6-2, 206, So.

Tony Fields, 5-11, 205, So.

Jonathan Crawford, 6-2, 180, Fr.*

*Listed as an athlete on roster

WHO REPLACES ALLEN?

Right now, sophomore Tony Fields is listed as the starter at free safety, alongside Dutra. Mario Swann, a walk-on from Center Grove, sits behind him.

With Allen dismissed and Mark Murphy graduated, it stands to reason Indiana will look at freshman options at safety. Crawford is among five freshmen still listed on the roster as an "athlete," a distinction that will presumably disappear as camp progresses.

But Fields has a 12-game start on any newcomer, having played in all 12 last season as a freshman. His numbers were modest -- 14 tackles -- but the snaps will count most, if he does lay claim to that second safety spot.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR DUTRA?

What makes Dutra's redshirt freshman season so intriguing is the potential it revealed.

A three-way player at Brownsburg High School, IU's coaches believed Dutra could land at as many as four different positions once he arrived in college. Even linebacker was on the table.

So while he spent much of last season serving as first reserve behind Allen and Murphy, Dutra's blend of sharp tackling and a nose for the football still stood out. Now, in addition to those three interceptions and a forced fumble, he is IU's fourth-leading returning tackler.

He's already probably Indiana's best defensive back. His ceiling might not yet be in view.

FINAL WORD

None of this is meant to paper over a serious concern. The defensive backfield is an elephant-sized question mark on a defense that otherwise looks quietly promising. IU's front seven is stocked with depth and competition, but that last-placed pass defense will again be a concern.

How much hinges on Dutra, and how much hinges on finding him a running mate at safety? Camp should give us a better idea of which question is more critical.

OTHER POSITION PREVIEWS

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Offensive line

Defensive line

Linebacker

Cornerback

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.