Zander Diamont saw what was happening when Richard Lagow committed to Indiana on Dec. 7, 2015.

Lagow, like Diamont, was ready to begin his junior season when he transferred from the junior college ranks to Indiana. Diamont, the Hoosiers’ incumbent starter in the post-Nate Sudfeld era, was going to have to fight for playing time. IU’s coaching staff wasn’t confident enough in Diamont alone.

“I’m a competitive guy,” Diamont said, “so obviously it bothered me initially.”

It was awkward. There’s no way of getting around it. The new guy ended up winning the starting job quickly in fall camp and left Diamont as a backup again. Transferring to play two seasons elsewhere was an option, but Diamont wasn’t interested.

Zander wasn’t going anywhere.

“My dad always raised me to finish what I start,” Diamont said. “Leaving wasn’t really an option. I love these dudes. I wasn’t going to walk out on the team. I knew what kind of role I could have whether I was on the field or not.”

It took nearly half a season to develop, but Diamont’s carving a niche for himself as a change-of-pace quarterback. He accounted for 133 yards of total offense in last week’s win against Maryland and could be a fixture of the offense from here on out.

When Lagow beat out Diamont, there was no whining or complaining. He was in practice trying to figure out how he could help Indiana win. Whether that be drawing up plays, pushing his teammates or now working his way back into the offense, Diamont wasn’t allowing himself to go away quietly.

And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“I’m very proud of a guy that’s competing hard to be the quarterback but can’t be that comes in and plays that way and accepts roles,” head coach Kevin Wilson said. “He’s been a great practice player. That’s unusual. Because you’re in a day and age where every quarterback wants to tap out and transfer, versus why don’t you just come to practice and work hard and get better. Stop worrying about the depth chart and who you’re recruiting. Why don’t you just work on your craft every day?”

That’s exactly what Diamont did. Instead of letting a rift develop between he and Lagow, the two have become friends. They split time leading the quarterback room but understand their roles.

Lagow is the starting quarterback. That isn’t changing.

But that doesn’t mean Diamont can’t help IU win.

“Zander, that’s my brother. I love that kid,” Lagow said. “I’ll do anything for him. He’ll do anything for me.”

The version of Zander Diamont that walks the halls within Memorial Stadium isn’t the same that offensive coordinator Kevin Johns said “has a little Johnny Manziel in him” when he arrived in Bloomington. His teammates say he’s more mature.

Diamont is still going to be flashy. He celebrated a 52-yard touchdown against Maryland last week for nearly 26 yards. The score late in the game didn’t matter, but he still celebrated in the end zone after picking up an unsportsmanlike call earlier in the game.

It’s not out of ill-will, but redshirt senior offensive lineman Jacob Bailey said Diamont has a swagger about him that can sometimes get confused for an arrogance. It isn’t a negative thing, he said, but rather what drives him.

“It’s no secret he has kind of an ego a little bit, an extra something,” Bailey said. “But it’s something we love. It’s what makes him who he is.”

What makes Diamont’s style work is the way he’s developed into a leader. Bailey said he doesn’t get enough credit for growing up over the last three seasons as both a player and inside the locker room.

“From where he came to where he is now, he’s matured immensely in an extremely positive way,” Bailey said. “If you spent time in our locker room, you would be able to tell. I think that’s honestly been one of the highlights of our team is just how positive he’s been, how he’s accepted his role. And when his time has come, he has been able to perform.”

And he’s enjoying it, too.

Diamont said after his coming out party against Maryland that he felt like he was a kid again playing in the parks around Los Angeles. He’s keeping football fun whether that means a few plays or being the piece that picks up a win.

He doesn’t know any differently.

“You only have this moment guaranteed,” Diamont said. “I’m living in that.”