IU football loses one of its most important offensive linemen with season-ending injury

BLOOMINGTON – Nick Kidwell, a fixture along Curt Cignetti’s offensive lines at James Madison who was expected to be the same anchoring force in Bloomington this fall, suffered an injury recently that will hold him out of the entire 2024 season.

IndyStar confirmed Kidwell’s injury late Tuesday night. It is a fresh blow to a unit that had otherwise shaped up promisingly for Cignetti and offensive line coach Bob Bostad. With Carter Smith and Mike Katic back, Kidwell and Trey Wedig (Wisconsin) — both pulled from the transfer portal — handed Bostad veterans with lengthy resumes to build around.

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Now, the Hoosiers will need to plan for life without Kidwell, who figured to start at guard. Cignetti has name checked Bray Lynch and Drew Evans, another Wisconsin transfer, as young linemen who impressed in early practices. IU will also likely lean into the experience of another JMU transfer, Tyler Stephens, who started 31 games during his time in Harrisonburg.

Stephens’ strength is in his versatility: He’s started 12 games at left tackle, 13 at left guard and six at right tackle in his career.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU football OL starter Nick Kidwell out for season with injury