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Departure of Brandon Dawkins could be beneficial for Indiana in the long run
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A few days after Peyton Ramsey was named Indiana’s starting quarterback for the season opener against FIU, graduate transfer Brandon Dawkins decided to walk away from the program. His departure left the Hoosiers with one of the youngest QB rooms in the B1G.
Dawkins brought experience and a dynamic dual-threat element to the offense, having played in 22 games at Arizona. He threw for 2,418 yards and rushed for 1,582 more. In total, the explosive quarterback accounted for 35 touchdowns with the Wildcats.
On paper, Dawkins’ exit is a huge blow for Indiana. In reality, it isn’t much of a loss at all.
Yes, the Hoosiers are suddenly much greener at quarterback. Ramsey, a redshirt sophomore, is now the most experienced gunslinger on the roster, having played in nine games a year ago. Behind him are two true freshmen, Michael Penix Jr. and Reese Taylor — who was just moved to quarterback after Dawkins’ announcement. There aren’t a lot of live snaps in that group.
But let’s call it like it is: 2018 isn’t going to be a year of monumental success in Bloomington.
There are plenty of things to like about the Hoosiers coming into the season. Nick Westbrook and J-Shun Harris, two explosive players, are returning from injury. The offensive line returns a lot of experience. It’s not inconceivable that Indiana will be challenging for bowl eligibility again this fall.
The expectation was that Dawkins, who had plenty of big-time game exposure from playing in the Pac-12, would bring a different dimension to the IU offense. His experience could’ve helped the Hoosiers win a game or two they shouldn’t. Postseason hopes were a little bit higher.
How much could he have helped, really, if he couldn’t win the starting job?
It’s cliché, but Tom Allen is in the process of building a program at Indiana, one that can hopefully sustain a certain level of success over a period of time. Dawkins had just one year of eligibility remaining. He wasn’t going to be a critical piece in the long-term plan anyway.
Dawkins’ decision to leave may be an initial detriment, but it could serve as a benefit for the Hoosiers down the road.
Ramsey has already proven to be a capable quarterback in the B1G. He made his share of mistakes throughout his freshman year but he handled the starting role relatively well.
When he made his first collegiate appearance, a relief effort for Richard Lagow in Indiana’s second game against Virginia, the then-freshman completed 16-of-20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Ramsey rushed for 32 yards and another score in the game, leading the Hoosiers to a 34-17 victory over the Cavaliers.
For the year, Ramsey threw for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 226 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. Not a bad stat line for a freshman who was expected to be used sparingly.
Behind Ramsey is Penix, another dual-threat quarterback who accounted for 77 total touchdowns in his final two seasons at the high school level in Tampa, Florida. Then there’s Taylor, who was named Mr. Football by the Indianapolis Star after throwing for 40 touchdowns and rushing for 15 more as a high school senior.
Indiana has some athletes to work with. And now that Dawkins won’t be getting those reps, it allows all three quarterbacks — Ramsey, Penix and Taylor — to improve their craft. Any early opportunities these guys receive will be hugely beneficial over the next four years.
Blasting Dawkins isn’t the appropriate move. Not knowing the details of his recruitment as a graduate transfer, I have no idea what he was told, maybe promised, while he was a collegiate free agent. Making this decision probably wasn’t easy.
Does losing that experience hurt? Sure. But it certainly isn’t a calamity. The Hoosiers shouldn’t panic, even if it means they drop a few more games this fall and aren’t in contention for the postseason.
Dawkins leaving Indiana might be a blessing in disguise. It might just take a year or two to realize it.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB