Inexperience makes corner a position of concern for IU

Here, at the back, we meet Indiana's greatest defensive challenge.

A review of the Hoosiers' options at defensive line and linebacker offers reason for optimism. A look at the secondary sparks only further concern.

At cornerback, the Hoosiers return just two players -- Donovan Clark and Rashard Fant -- who registered a tackle last season. Clark will be limited during camp by a back problem, while Fant is listed behind walk-on Ben Bach in the preseason two-deep.

Noel Padmore, listed as the starter opposite Bach, appeared on special teams in eight games last season. Two of the four players listed in the two-deep at cornerback, Bach and Arthur Jones, are walk-ons, both in their third year of college.

So you see the concern.

NAMES TO KNOW

Rashard Fant, 5-10, 175, R-So.

Noel Padmore, 5-11, 180, R-So.

Arthur Jones, 5-10, 192, R-So.

Ben Bach, 6-1, 200, R-So.

Donovan Clark, 5-10, 180, So.

ACCELERATE THE LEARNING CURVE

Fant, Padmore and Clark were all recruiting wins of varying degrees for Indiana, the types of athletes who, in the past, came to Bloomington in far fewer numbers, and usually wound up on offense when they did.

Clark played as a true freshman, but Indiana gave Fant and Padmore redshirt years to develop physically. That helped the former in particular: Fant finished last season with 23 tackles, a recovered fumble and five passes broken up, which tied him for second among defensive backs.

That said, there are questions about all three heading into the preseason. Padmore hasn't played a snap of college football on defense, Clark is injured and Fant is behind Bach on the depth chart.

Realistically, Indiana probably needs two of those three to take ownership of a starting job this month.

FRESHMAN HELP NEEDED?

It stands to reason that a couple of names will be added to the list above. Given Indiana's lack of experience and depth, the secondary might have to rely on a handful of freshmen or newcomers this season.

Reinforcements could yet arrive. Kevin Wilson and his staff hosted Quinn Tiggs, a junior college cornerback from Mississippi, at the end of July. But there's been no further movement in Tiggs' recruitment since his visit, so it's hard to handicap the likelihood that he will be able to join up before the school year.

Even then, he (or any freshman) would be well behind IU's returners in knowledge of defensive schemes and checks. And there would be, of course, the experience gap.

Ultimately, Indiana needs returning players to provide the foundation at cornerback, while the defense as a whole tries to improve on its last-in-the-league finish against the pass in 2014. There's a heavy weight on the shoulders of position coach Brandon Shelby, who will have to turn youth into production in the secondary.

OTHER POSITION PREVIEWS

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Offensive line

Defensive line

Linebacker

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.