Three players are returning to Indiana for 2021, helping to give the Hoosiers one of the deepest and most experienced teams in the Big Ten.

This depth is very much needed as Indiana, who went 6-2 this year and reached as high as No. 7 in the AP Top 25 Poll, continue to up their talent via recruiting and the transfer portal. That three promising players are returning is welcome news for head coach Tom Allen as he continues to build depth within the Hoosiers program.

Defensive back Raheem Layne is coming back for a final season at Indiana, bringing good experience in the secondary as well as 82 career tackles and six passes defended.

Khameron Taylor, a tight end who transferred to the program last year from South Alabama, is returning  after not playing last year.

Also returning is Michael Ziemba, who had 11 total tackles last year. In 2019, Ziemba had 33 total tackles along with two fumble recoveries. Layne and Ziemba are taking advantage of the NCAA’s rules regarding an additional year of eligibility for players during this unusual season.

And while their bowl game was a swing and an Ole Miss, there is the sense that Indiana is trending in the right direction. Especially, that is, if Allen returns and doesn’t get lured away by a bigger job.