Indiana University Athletics
SPRING SESSIONS: Spring Practice No. 10
4/16/2026 3:04:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– The Indiana football program hosted a media session in the Don Croftcheck Team Room inside Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium following the tenth spring practice of 2026 on Thursday (April 16). Offensive lineman Joe Brunner and running back Turbo Richard, along with head coach Curt Cignetti all talked following practice.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found in the links above or at IUHoosiers.com/watch.
Curt Cignetti | Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: Ok, I thought we flew around today; practice was crisp. Far from perfect, usually is. We got a couple to go; we will look a lot different in the fall. You know we got a number of guys not practicing – 17 total, probably six starters on offense and defense right now or key contributors/first rotational guys. Partially the effect of a 16-game season or an injury in season or a new guy that came to us that was injured during his season and had surgery. Or we had a couple show up that needed some surgery. We've had a couple more little minor things during spring ball than we normally do, but nothing serious. I thought we got quality work in today, and we are getting near the end.
On recruiting guys that fit his culture...
CC: Well, you know every guy is a little bit different. Like this one, Bob Bostad had a little bit of history with this particular guy, so he knew him well. We do our research, and then you gotta form a first impression; when you sit down with him, you form an impression. It takes time to build that culture. We've never really had it quite done in spring football before and never tried to. It's a process. What's important is you come out of fall camp feeling good about your team, and then you've got to be able to handle success or setbacks and keep them focused week to week. There is a certain kind of guy we are looking for in terms of character, work habits, you know, coachability, things like that. We've talked a lot about that in the past, but you know it takes a while, and every year you gotta start over.
On the progression of Josh Hoover...
CC: We are putting new stuff in still, so he's learning the offense. He's probably about where most of the other quarterbacks have been at this point in the spring. We're a little thin on the offensive line, so when we go to team periods the protection isn't the best in the world, and he doesn't have a lot of time to get rid of the ball. The younger guys I think are developing. You know Grant Wilson went a few days without reps but then took the 2s in a scrimmage, and I thought he did a really good job and he moved the team; then he moved the team again on Tuesday. Today he didn't get reps. Tyler Cherry, I think, continues to develop; he's had that knee, but I think he's further along than he was as a freshman for sure. We'll see what he looks like when we go back to August camp. Jacob Bell's got a gun. We gotta become a little bit more accurate and do a little bit better job of processing, but it's hard because reps are limited. Maverick Geske knows how to play quarterback. It's a work in progress.
Joe Brunner | OL | R-Sr.
On reuniting with Bob Bostad
JB: First of all, I was fortunate enough to be with him my freshman year at Wisconsin as a young guy. He is the same ole coach, and he has been that way for many years. That is the reason why I chose this place. Seeing what he did with the guys when I was at Wisconsin, the older guys there, just developing guys. There wasn't much to say to me, I think he knew that I knew who he was.
Obviously, there is a pitch to come play for Coach Cignetti and what he has done, but also, I love Bostad and what he has done wherever he has coached and whoever he has coached. Whether that is linebackers back at Wisconsin or offensive line here. He knows how to develop guys and I knew that, so that is a major factor into why I came here.
On what his transition has been like...
JB: This is one of the best cultures in college football, if not the best. That makes it super easy to transition. You are around a bunch of guys that have played a lot of football, and they know how to welcome guys and bring them into a culture and let them develop themselves.
It's also easy as an older guy. You want to win, right? You want to be a part of a winning culture. If you are competitive enough that is all you want to do. You can see it from a far, you can see it from anywhere, the guys here are amazing. They have welcomed me and every other transfer or freshman with open arms, and they have made it very fun. It's a pleasure to be here and work with these guys.
Turbo Richard | RB | Jr.
On Indiana using a running back by committee system...
TR: Yeah, I feel like it's a great system and culture here at IU, being fast, physical, and relentless. It was kind of something I was looking for; I'm just grateful to be here.
On how he got his nickname...
TR: You know I kind of use it as a way to describe my game. You know, being fast, explosive, and just being able to shoot out of a cannon out of the backfield is just something that will catch someone's eye, and also, I feel like it's a very cool nickname, of course.
On the team welcoming him...
TR: Yeah, I feel like they give me a pretty warm welcome. Showed me how they do it here in the running back room here at IU. You know, I'm grateful for them; they just welcomed me with open arms and showed me the way.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found in the links above or at IUHoosiers.com/watch.
Curt Cignetti | Head Coach
Opening Statement
CC: Ok, I thought we flew around today; practice was crisp. Far from perfect, usually is. We got a couple to go; we will look a lot different in the fall. You know we got a number of guys not practicing – 17 total, probably six starters on offense and defense right now or key contributors/first rotational guys. Partially the effect of a 16-game season or an injury in season or a new guy that came to us that was injured during his season and had surgery. Or we had a couple show up that needed some surgery. We've had a couple more little minor things during spring ball than we normally do, but nothing serious. I thought we got quality work in today, and we are getting near the end.
On recruiting guys that fit his culture...
CC: Well, you know every guy is a little bit different. Like this one, Bob Bostad had a little bit of history with this particular guy, so he knew him well. We do our research, and then you gotta form a first impression; when you sit down with him, you form an impression. It takes time to build that culture. We've never really had it quite done in spring football before and never tried to. It's a process. What's important is you come out of fall camp feeling good about your team, and then you've got to be able to handle success or setbacks and keep them focused week to week. There is a certain kind of guy we are looking for in terms of character, work habits, you know, coachability, things like that. We've talked a lot about that in the past, but you know it takes a while, and every year you gotta start over.
On the progression of Josh Hoover...
CC: We are putting new stuff in still, so he's learning the offense. He's probably about where most of the other quarterbacks have been at this point in the spring. We're a little thin on the offensive line, so when we go to team periods the protection isn't the best in the world, and he doesn't have a lot of time to get rid of the ball. The younger guys I think are developing. You know Grant Wilson went a few days without reps but then took the 2s in a scrimmage, and I thought he did a really good job and he moved the team; then he moved the team again on Tuesday. Today he didn't get reps. Tyler Cherry, I think, continues to develop; he's had that knee, but I think he's further along than he was as a freshman for sure. We'll see what he looks like when we go back to August camp. Jacob Bell's got a gun. We gotta become a little bit more accurate and do a little bit better job of processing, but it's hard because reps are limited. Maverick Geske knows how to play quarterback. It's a work in progress.
Joe Brunner | OL | R-Sr.
On reuniting with Bob Bostad
JB: First of all, I was fortunate enough to be with him my freshman year at Wisconsin as a young guy. He is the same ole coach, and he has been that way for many years. That is the reason why I chose this place. Seeing what he did with the guys when I was at Wisconsin, the older guys there, just developing guys. There wasn't much to say to me, I think he knew that I knew who he was.
Obviously, there is a pitch to come play for Coach Cignetti and what he has done, but also, I love Bostad and what he has done wherever he has coached and whoever he has coached. Whether that is linebackers back at Wisconsin or offensive line here. He knows how to develop guys and I knew that, so that is a major factor into why I came here.
On what his transition has been like...
JB: This is one of the best cultures in college football, if not the best. That makes it super easy to transition. You are around a bunch of guys that have played a lot of football, and they know how to welcome guys and bring them into a culture and let them develop themselves.
It's also easy as an older guy. You want to win, right? You want to be a part of a winning culture. If you are competitive enough that is all you want to do. You can see it from a far, you can see it from anywhere, the guys here are amazing. They have welcomed me and every other transfer or freshman with open arms, and they have made it very fun. It's a pleasure to be here and work with these guys.
Turbo Richard | RB | Jr.
On Indiana using a running back by committee system...
TR: Yeah, I feel like it's a great system and culture here at IU, being fast, physical, and relentless. It was kind of something I was looking for; I'm just grateful to be here.
On how he got his nickname...
TR: You know I kind of use it as a way to describe my game. You know, being fast, explosive, and just being able to shoot out of a cannon out of the backfield is just something that will catch someone's eye, and also, I feel like it's a very cool nickname, of course.
On the team welcoming him...
TR: Yeah, I feel like they give me a pretty warm welcome. Showed me how they do it here in the running back room here at IU. You know, I'm grateful for them; they just welcomed me with open arms and showed me the way.
Players Mentioned
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RB
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/ FootballFB: Joe Brunner - Spring Practice No. 10
Thursday, April 16
FB: Turbo Richard - Spring Practice No. 10
Thursday, April 16
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16
FB: Amare Ferrell - Spring Practice No. 9
Tuesday, April 14