Hoosiers Add Depth and Experience in the Offensive Trenches During Signing Day and Winter Portal Window

Written By: Ben Gillard (@benjgillard)

A large part of the Hoosiers success last year was due to the improvement of the offensive line throughout the season. “The Hogs” up front steadily improved as the season went on, even in the face of critical injuries to Nick Kidwell and Drew Evans.  

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Head Coach Curt Cignetti highlighted the job OL Coach Bob Bostad had done, saying, “One of the many reasons that I retained Coach Bostad initially was what I had been told about the line's improvement in his one year at Indiana before I arrived. And I had known of Bob for about a dozen years….I thought he did a great job with that line. I thought the line functioned well.”

While it's true Coach Bostad did a great job with the line last season, the injuries highlighted the importance of both experience and depth when making a run in the playoffs. Enter a trio of veteran players from Power 5 programs: (G) Kahlil Benson from Colorado, (C) Pat Coogan from Notre Dame, and (G) Zen Michalski from Ohio State, who all look to make an immediate impact on Indiana’s offensive line this season.

When asked about these crucial additions, Cignetti said, “I'm excited about the guys we're able to bring in from the portal. Kahlil Benson did a really nice job here at offensive tackle the year before I came. Obviously, Coogan started a lot of games at Notre Dame and played well. And Zen started and played meaningful minutes at Ohio State.”

Benson is a great interior offensive lineman who has been welcomed back to Bloomington with open arms. Before leaving for Colorado in 2024, Benson had spent 4 years with the Hoosiers, starting 24 straight games. In 2023, Benson only gave up a single sack on 424 pass attempts.

In addition to Benson, the Hoosiers added another talented offensive lineman, signing Zen Michalski. Michalski, a 6’6” 319 lbs Senior who just won a national championship with Ohio State, saw action in 29 games over 4 years with the Buckeyes.

Perhaps the most important portal addition this offseason was center Pat Coogan. Following the graduation of Mike Katic, Indiana was desperate to replace his experience and veteran leadership. They did just that with the addition of Pat Coogan. Coogan, a 6’5” 310lbs Senior was vital in propelling the Irish to the National Championship game, starting the final 13 games of the season after an injury to starting center Ashton Craig.   

When asked about the versatility and depth of the Hoosiers’ line, Cignetti said, “Most of the guys up front can play multiple positions. They're smart guys. Maybe some of the interior guys wouldn't necessarily project real well at tackle, but there's a few who could and vice versa.”

Cignetti continued by highlighting not just the veteran transfers but also the young players who are looking to take the next step.

“I think some of the young guys, this is their opportunity to take another step. There's a couple that we think could be ready to take meaningful snaps and play successful football in the fall….And that's the bottom line. If you can play successful football, we're going to find a role for you.” He said.

Ultimately, Cignetti doesn’t want to get ahead of himself before the season even begins. He finished the press conference by saying: 

“I'm excited about what that line can look like, but it's a day-to-day process. Like every other position, earned, not given. I try not to get too excited on the front end. I want to see it between the white lines.”