Insider: Guess who’s back at QB? Reese Taylor getting shot following Brandon Dawkins’ departure

BLOOMINGTON – By lunchtime Monday, Indiana’s official roster had been updated to reflect Reese Taylor’s move from cornerback to quarterback, a switch prompted by Brandon Dawkins’ unexpected departure.

After a preseason full of questions and playful subterfuge over Taylor’s role in 2018, the offense-defense tug of war for his services appears to be over, at least for now.

Indiana’s talented freshman and the reigning IndyStar Mr. Football, Taylor will play quarterback going forward, according to IU coach Tom Allen. He could step right away into some of the packages Allen’s offensive staff imagined for Dawkins, who projected as a backup to starting quarterback Peyton Ramsey.

A prolific quarterback at Ben Davis, Taylor completed nearly 73 percent of his passes during his senior season, throwing for 3,150 yards and a program-record 40 touchdowns. He also rushed for 15 scores last fall, leading the Giants to a 6A state championship.

Even given his slight frame (Taylor is listed at 5-11, 184 pounds), former Ben Davis coach Mike Kirschner isn’t surprised to see his former pupil already working behind center in college.

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“I kept telling all the college coaches (during Taylor’s recruitment), ‘You’ll see, when you get him on the field, you’re gonna think about this quarterback thing,’” said Kirschner, now head coach at Mt. Vernon. “I’m not surprised. He can throw the ball well, he’s very accurate. He’s just got ‘it.’”

Taylor had projected to play first and foremost at cornerback this season, though Allen made it clear from the start of fall camp that he saw Taylor as a two-way player. Where he fit on offense was harder to peg, but not anymore.

Taylor will work behind Ramsey and fellow freshman Michael Penix, giving Indiana depth, if not experience, at the quarterback position. Allen emphasized Monday, however, that Taylor isn’t just an emergency option.

“I still want him to be utilized package-wise on offense and now it’s obviously expanded,” Allen said. “Our staff had a lot of conversations about that young man. He’s really special, not just as a player, but as a person.”

Asked if he could update suspended sophomore running back Morgan Ellison’s status Monday, Allen said, “That’s totally out of my hands. I have no comment.”

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When asked as a follow-up if he felt it was likely Ellison would be reinstated, Allen responded simply, “I don’t know. Just not in my hands.”

Ellison’s indefinite suspension was announced Friday afternoon. The sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, led IU in carries (143), rushing yards (704) and rushing touchdowns (six) in 2017. He was not listed on IU’s first depth chart of the season, released Monday.