2019 Indiana Football Positional Preview: Wide Receivers

Written by Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)

The wide receiver position is one of the deepest and most talented groups Indiana will field in 2019. Led by seniors Donavan Hale and Nick Westbrook, the sky truly is the limit with this year’s Hoosiers’ receiving corps. Of course, not without mention is the addition of Kalen DeBoer as IU’s new offensive coordinator. While Indiana’s alignment and formations may not change much, DeBoer’s desire to throw the deep ball and stretch the defense vertically should add a new dynamic to the Hoosier offense. Behind Hale and Westbrook are a stable of young wide outs ready to step into bigger roles. Whoever wins the quarterback battle will have plenty of weapons at his disposal.

Donavan Hale

Last year Donavan Hale made a comeback from a season-ending knee injury his junior year. Hale returned and looked better than ever, catching 42 passes for over 500 yards and six touchdowns, leading the team in scores. Hale was a three-time offensive player of the week for the Hoosiers. The fifth-year senior has proved to be IU’s top threat catching the ball. Standing 6-foot-4, Hale’s size and athleticism bode well in the physical Big Ten. Hale is so big compared to some cornerbacks in the conference, when he’s not getting open, he often draws pass interference calls. Hale looks to cement himself in Hoosier history with a dominant senior season.  

Nick Westbrook

Neck and neck with Donavan Hale is Nick Westbrook. Another big bodied deep threat, standing 6-foot-3 220lbs, Westbrook also made a promising comeback last year. Westbrook’s junior year got cut short on the first play of the game against Ohio State when he tore his ACL. Last year removed any doubts that Westbrook would become a top target. He led the team with 590 yards receiving and tied Hale with 42 receptions. Westbrook tacked on four touchdowns and became just the 19th wide receiver in Hoosier football history with 100 catches and over 1,500 yards in his career. Westbrook and Hale have formed quite the devastating duo. With a full healthy season under each of their belts, they’ll both look to produce at an even higher level in 2019.  

Ty Fryfogle 

Last season, Ty Fryfogle emerged as one of Indiana’s top receiving targets behind Westbrook and Hale. The Mississippi native tallied 29 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Fryfogle won’t overwhelm his opponent with size or speed, but he is a very consistent route runner with a reliable set of hands. Now as an upperclassman, Fryfogle will have a chance to cement himself in the wide out rotation. While Indiana has the luxury of talented depth this season, the Hoosiers will need some of their young wide receivers to show that they’re capable of filling the shoes of Westbrook and Hale in the future. Fryfogle will be one of the more experienced pass catchers of the group, and he’ll have ample opportunity to make big plays.  

Whop Philyor

One more player on the roster who has proven he can make plays at the Big Ten level is Whop Philyor. After a promising freshman season, Philyor was limited to just seven games last season due to injuries. He still managed to haul in 23 receptions for 235 yards and a touchdown. One game stood out in particular: Philyor grabbed 13 catches against Michigan State, good enough for fourth-most in school history. Whop is a dynamic athlete who should see some carries in the run game as well. At 5-foot-11 178lbs, he is best suited working out of the slot position. This season, Whop Philyor hopes to stay healthy and have the breakout season Hoosier fans know he’s capable of.  

Miles Marshall

Miles Marshall, another Georgia native, redshirted last season and appeared in one game. The three-star recruit has good size for a Big Ten wide out at 6-foot-4, 210lbs. Marshall broke numerous records in high school en route to being ranked as one of the top-100 football players in the state of Georgia in the class of 2018. Now as a redshirt freshman, Marshall hopes to establish himself as a contributor on Saturdays. While the competition will be fierce, versatility could be what separates Marshall. His size will allow him to play on the outside, but he is athletic enough to play in the slot position. Hoosier fans will want to get to know Miles Marshall because he could become another serious threat.   

Jacolby Hewitt

Jacolby Hewitt unfortunately suffered a season ending ACL injury this offseason and will not be available to play in 2019. Coming off a redshirt season, the first-year player had high hopes heading into this year. Hewitt has already undergone successful surgery and has begun his recovery. By all accounts, Hewitt should be 100% full-go by spring ball and will have three years of eligibility remaining to make an impact on the field.

Jordan Jakes

A three-star wide receiver out of Georgia, Jordan Jakes came to Bloomington as part of the 2019 recruiting class. It appears as if he’s already making an impact. Standing 6-foot-5, Jakes is the tallest wide receiver on the Hoosier roster. The gifted athlete never lost a high school football game in his career and he also earned letters in track and field. Jordan Jakes’ future in Bloomington is bright, and with his size, he could become a top threat on the outside down the road. For now, even as a true freshman, Jakes will look to make an impact.

David Ellis

Another true freshman expected to see some playing time is David Ellis. The Michigan native was recruited to IU as an athlete and promptly placed at wide receiver. Standing 6-foot 207lbs, Ellis is an electric athlete in the open field with great speed and shiftiness. Similar to Whop Philyor, look for Ellis to see some action in the running game on jet sweeps or reverses. Ellis played wide receiver and defensive back in high school. He was also a phenomenal kick returner, with a kickoff return for touchdown in his high school state championship victory. The Hoosiers will have to do whatever it takes to get David Ellis the ball because he could be a lethal weapon on offense and special teams.

Da’Shaun Brown

Da’Shaun Brown played quarterback in high school but was recruited to Indiana as an athlete. Brown earned himself a three-star ranking and was the third best player in the state of Wisconsin per 247Sports. Brown was placed at wide receiver where he hopes to use his athletic gifts to make an impact in the passing game.  

Luke Shayotovich 

Luke Shayotovich made the most of his redshirt season, earning two-time offensive scout player of the week honors and special teams scout player of the week once. The walk-on will compete for a spot in the rotation at wide receiver, with most of his opportunities coming from the slot position.

Cam Wilson

Cam Wilson sat out last season per NCAA transfer rules after coming to Bloomington from Illinois State. The 6-foot-1 wide receiver has three years of eligibility left for the Hoosiers and he’ll have a chance to add yet more depth to the position group.

Overall, there is quite a lot to be excited about with this year’s wide receiver group. Not long ago the Hoosiers boasted a lethal passing game with formidable targets on the outside and in the slot. On paper, it looks like this unit could resemble those of recent memory. The coaching staff has a plethora of options with a balanced mix of big-bodied wide outs and dynamic playmakers. Regardless of who’s throwing the ball, Indiana’s wide receivers have a chance to stand out.