Fred Jones is listed as the starter at one of the end positions. Jones missed nine games last year because of a foot injury.

The junior (6-foot-4, 272 pounds) made three tackles in the final three games.

Deonte Mack also battled injuries last season. The senior (6-3, 281) appeared in six games and made two tackles.

Terrance Thomas, another option, has been slowed by a concussion. IU coach Bill Lynch said Thomas should be ready to go for the opener.

Thomas (6-1, 268) appeared in nine games and made six tackles.

On the other end, Lynch is high on Darius Johnson. The junior (6-0, 255) made eight tackles in the first three games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury last year.

Homestead's Kevin Bush will hit the field after spending three years in the United States Armed Forces (2006-09). He sat out last season because of transfer rules. He was at Toledo in 2005, but did not see any action. Bush (6-3, 248) shared scout team defensive player of the year honors with safety Kyle Dietrick.

Javon Cornley (6-5, 235) was redshirted in 2009. His brother, Jamelle, played for the Penn State basketball team from 2006-09.

"Darius Johnson has had a very good camp and Kevin Bush has been right there with him, and then Javon Cornley is the young guy, so again, I wouldn't be surprised if you saw all of those guys play some on Thursday, as we continue to try to not only build depth but I think they're all deserving and they've all practiced well," Lynch said.