IU will rotate Larry Black, Jr., Adam Replogle, Mick Mentzer and Nicholas Sliger at the two tackle spots.

"I think for the first time in a long time at Indiana we can say the strength of our defense is our defensive tackles," IU coach Bill Lynch said. "We've worked hard to get to that point. Adam Replogle, Nick Sliger, Larry Black, and Mick Mentzer all played a great deal of football last year, are all back. In fact, they're all just sophomores, because we redshirted a big group of them. So I think that's the strength."

Black started all 12 games last season. He finished fourth on the team with 71/2 tackles for loss. Black (6-foot-2, 309 pounds) collected 29 tackles, 1½ sacks and one fumble recovery.

Replogle played in all 12 games and started the final 11 as a true freshman last season. He finished third on the team with four sacks and had five tackles for loss. Replogle (6-3, 290) had 32 tackles.

Mentzer, a Bishop Dwenger graduate, appeared in all 12 games. He had 16 tackles, eight solo. Mentzer (6-4, 317) had one pass breakup.

Sliger also appeared in all 12 games last season. He had seven tackles and one interception. Sliger (6-3, 295) had one tackle for loss.

Freshman Marlandez Harris (6-2, 225) had an impressive showing at Saturday's scrimmage, making six tackles.