2018 Indiana Hoosiers Early Signing Period Recap
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Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Indiana Hoosier football program welcomed in 19 new signees on Wednesday during the early signing period. There is a lot of information to sort through in many different places. The Hoosiers came out in great shape as Tom Allen and company inked what at the time is a top-40 class. Indiana will still have five scholarships to play with for the February signing day, so that number can change. It’s been a long day so, let’s do a recap of one of the more important days around college football. We will look at IU’s top signee as well as some players who could have an instant impact and others that are potential sleepers and what positions IU is targeting from now until February 6th. EDITORS NOTE: I did not include QB Jack Tuttle in this article since he is a transfer and is not included in 247Sports class rankings.
Top Signee: Sampson James, RB, Indianapolis
James is the headliner in a group that featured two other247Sports Composite four-star players. Indiana signed four of the top 11 players in the state. James flipped from Ohio State in October and adds depth to a running back room that is looking to build on a season that saw Stevie Scott go over 1,000 yards as a true freshman.
Instant Impact Signees:
1. Juan Harris, DT- Juan Harris is a familiar name for Hoosier fans as he spent his freshman season in Bloomington (appearing in three games) before leaving the program and heading to Independence C.C. The Hoosiers need help on the inside of the defensive line and Harris could be that difference maker. People are understandably hesitant to trust Harris as he has already left the program once and de-committed from multiple schools during his high school recruitment. However, IF he can get on the field he will be a major piece in the middle of Indiana’s defense.
2. Sean Wracher, Long Snapper- Laugh all you want, but Wracher will probably play right away as Dan Godsil has exhausted his eligibility. Wracher hopes to be stealth like during the season since usually when a long snapper’s name comes up it’s usually because something went terribly wrong.
3. David Ellis, ATH- IU has plenty of talent returning at wide receiver, but there is opportunity in the slot as Luke Timian and J-Shun Harris have graduated. Ellis has good size for the slot and should be able to slide in behind Whop Philyor.
Sleeper Signees:
1. Larry Tracy, CB- Another in-state signee, Tracy has the tools to play his way onto the field. The redshirt rule should help him as well. He may not start the season on the field, but don’t be shocked to see him get more and more playing time as the season goes along.
2. Ivory Winters, RB- Understandably Sampson James is getting most of the attention, but the Hoosiers are getting a second running back who is very, very good. Winters will have to earn playing time in a talented running back room, but his versatility could give him a chance to get some snaps.
Signee Profiles
Matthew Bedford, OL
D.K. Bonhomme, LB
Da’Shaun Brown, ATH
Gary Cooper, TE
David Ellis, ATH
Juan Harris, DL
Jordan Jakes, WR
Mike Katic, OL
Tiawan Mullen, DB
Jeramy Passmore, DL
C.J. Person, DL
Beau Robbins, DL
Larry Tracy III, DB
Antoine Whitner, OL/DL
Cameron Williams, LB
Ivory Winters, RB
Sean Wracher, LS