Curt Cignetti shakes up Indiana offensive line, seeks maturity from Ajani, clarity at center

CHICAGO —  Indiana footbal l is shaking up its offensive line for the start of fall camp.

According to IU coach Curt Cignetti , the Hoosiers will open the fall with Adedamola Ajani moving to right guard, Joe Brunner kicking to the outside and Bray Lynch taking reps at center. The left side will be familiar to fans with Drew Evans (left guard) and Carter Smith (left tackle) working side-by-side for a third straight year.

Last season, Ajani provided Indiana with depth at multiple positions on the offensive line. He started at both guard spots and played 46 snaps at right tackle in the national title game against Miami.

"I think he feels a little more comfortable there," Cignetti said at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday, July 30. "And he played better at guard than tackle last year when he went into games."

More: Indiana football's Nick Marsh more than flashy footwear

Cignetti also made it clear he would like to see a little more maturity from Ajani, the youngest player in that expected starting group. The Indianapolis native signed with IU as part of the team's 2024 signing class and redshirted his first year on campus.

"A lot of times these young guys try to have it both ways, fun at night and then do the work in the building," Cignetti said. "You can't have it both ways. He's just got to make a few better choices and decisions, get a little tougher mentally so that he can play the way we want him to play from the first play to the last play."

It's a bigger change for Brunner, who has started 24 straight games at left guard.

Per Pro Football Focus, he's only played seven career snaps at tackle and only two snaps total on the right side of the line, but Cignetti told reporters at Big Ten Media Days that Brunner has the size and toughness to play the position.

At center, Evans took the bulk of the reps in spring with Lynch sidelined. With Lynch now healthy, the staff wants to get him work at the spot to determine the best replacement for Pat Coogan . They have a combined 48 career starts between them.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Curt Cignetti shakes up Indiana offensive line, seeks maturity from Ajani, clarity at center

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →