QB Mike Penix Chooses to Sign with Indiana

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QB Mike Penix Chooses to Sign with Indiana

Written By Alex Compton

Michael Penix QB, 6’2” 195 Pounds Tampa, FL (Tampa Bay Tech HS) 247 Composite Three-Star (87.49)

Tennessee had a wild coaching search, and that coaching search ended in a good candidate in Jeremy Pruitt. However, Pruitt started off his tenure in Knoxville by making an offer to standing commit Michael Penix “uncommittable", which essentially means he pulled the offer. Schools that were in the mix immediately began re-recruiting Penix, but it was ultimately Tom Allen and the Hoosiers that landed the stud QB over Willie Taggart and Florida State. Allen had his eye on him for a long time, but was lucky enough that the whole situation at UT went down so he could really make a move on Penix. Taggart almost offered Penix while at Oregon, but felt like it was too far distance-wise for anything to work out. He ended up getting his shot once he took the FSU job, but Penix decided that IU was the right place for him. This is an absolutely huge get for this team. With Lagow on the way out, there wasn’t going to be much depth at QB, and there is still no clear-cut starter. You have to imagine the chance to start as a true freshman was a big factor in him picking IU, but he seemed really comfortable with Allen and the staff regardless. 

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Cam Jones Officially Signs With The Hoosiers

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Cam Jones Officially Signs With The Hoosiers

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Cam Jones, 6’2”, 210 pounds, Cordova, TN (St. Benedict), LB, 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-star (84.76) 

Jones was one of the most coveted recruits in this Indiana class. He committed, de-committed and re-committed in a six-month span. Originally looked at as a wide receiver, Jones will be used at linebacker where he can be an instant impact player as a freshman.

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James Head Jr. Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

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James Head Jr. Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

Written By Alex Compton

 

James Head Jr., SDE, 6'5" 210 Pounds, Miami, FL (Miami Southridge HS), 247 Composite Three-Star (86.88)

One of the top priorities in this class for Tom Allen in his first full recruiting cycle was impact pass rushers. He went all over the country to find guys that could come in as true freshmen and make an impact, but he ultimately ended up back in one of his old stomping grounds to land James Head Jr. Head Jr. projects as an All-B1G player during his career at Indiana, but absolutely as a key piece in every game in 2018. At 6’5”, he has the size you need to wear down Big Ten tackles, and the overall athleticism to make plays in the backfield. Mark Hagen was the lead guy in this recruitment, and he cited that as a major reason why he committed to Indiana back in July. 

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OL Aidan Rafferty Signs With Indiana Football

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OL Aidan Rafferty Signs With Indiana Football

Written By Kris Shankle

Aidan Rafferty, 6’6”, 280 pounds, Washington, DC (Gonzaga), OT, 247 Composite Ranking: 3-Star (86.75)

Aidan Rafferty was a huge recruit for the program on and off the field. Rafferty is a very skilled football player with strong hands and great footwork, which for an offensive lineman, those two traits seem to come in handy. IU has a lot of their line coming back next year, but struggled a lot at times this year, so Rafferty has all the chances in the world to see some immediate playing time next year. The coaching staff knew that they wanted quality and not quantity in this year’s class, because they don’t have many spots to fill. Rafferty and fellow commit Nick Marozas were targeted early and the staff was rewarded once they landed both. Aidan helped his Gonzaga squad to a 8-4 (3-2) record, but lost to St. Johns to end the year.

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Matt Bjorson Officially Signs With Indiana

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Matt Bjorson Officially Signs With Indiana

Written by: Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)

Matt Bjorson, 6’3”, 225 pounds, Hinsdale, IL (Hinsdale Central High School), Tight End, 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Stars

Indiana’s new coaching regime made it clear that the tight end position would be utilized far more than in previous years. This was evidenced by senior Ian Thomas, who accumulated 25 catches and five touchdowns despite an injury-riddled season. Allen and DeBord need to replace Thomas’ production and add some more. Matt Bjorson is a big-bodied, athletic tight end from Chicagoland who will add immediate talent to the position group.

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Jacolby Hewitt Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

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Jacolby Hewitt Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

Written By Alex Compton

Jacolby Hewitt, WR, 6’2”, 190 Pounds, Cordova, TN (Cordova HS) 247 Composite Three-Star (85.06)

6’2” slot receivers aren’t common, and Tom Allen and Grant Heard grabbing Hewitt is solid in year one. The All-State player from Tennessee for 6A out of Cordova High School played mostly on the outside in high school, but projects as a slot guy in Tom Allen’s system. He is incredibly quick, and does his best work out in space where he can show off his elusiveness. He could be a factor in the kicking game from the start of his career, but that won’t be all. IU needed some playmakers in this class to help with the transition to a new full-time starting quarterback, and Hewitt definitely fits the bill. Slants, bubble screens, and tunnel screens are the types of plays that will be put in the game plan to get Hewitt involved, and don’t be surprised if he takes some jet sweeps or reverses as well. 

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Gavin McCabe Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

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Gavin McCabe Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Gavin McCabe, 6’3”, 250 pounds, Chicago, IL (Marist), DE, 247 Composite Ranking: 3-star (85.05 rating), former IU player comparison: Nick Mangieri

One of the major areas of emphasis for Tom Allen and defensive line coach Mark Hagen during the past two recruiting classes has been increasing IU’s talent and depth on the defensive front. Gavin McCabe, a defensive end from Illinois, chose the Hoosiers over offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Arkansas, Washington State and several others. He's a strong three-star prospect that committed to IU back in June and helped IU build a strong group of Illinois natives in the 2018 class.

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Jaylin Williams Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

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Jaylin Williams Officially Signs With the Hoosiers

Written by: Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)

Jaylin Williams, 5’11”, 170 pounds, Germantown, TN (Germantown High School), Cornerback (ATH), 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Stars (85.80)

The Hoosiers will ink the top-rated cornerback in the state of Tennessee on Wednesday when Jaylin Williams from Germantown High School signs on with IU. Williams was originally committed to play for Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss until Freeze resigned in July. Two days after visiting Bloomington, and one week after he re-opened his commitment, Williams gave his pledge to IU on August 1st. He chose the Hoosiers over a plethora of schools, including Mississippi State, Washington State, Missouri, and others.

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