2020 Position Preview-Tight Ends: Depth and Talent Have People Licking Their Chops

Gary Cooper looks for open space Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers have finally broken through on their usage of the tight end position. After years of frustratingly underutilizing talent, the Hoosiers saw tight ends account for 64 catches, 697 yards and five touchdowns in 2019, most of which was part of Peyton Hendershot’s record setting year.

This season the Hoosiers bring in Kevin Wright from IMG Academy as the tight ends coach. Hendershot is back with the team after a suspension for an off the field incident involving an ex-girlfriend in the spring. The Hoosiers brought in Kham Taylor as a graduate transfer from South Alabama to sure up the depth and bulk of the group and added AJ Barner in the 2020 signing class. Needless to say the 2020 tight end position group is the deepest it has been in a very long time.

Let’s take a look:

Peyton Hendershot, RS Junior- Hendershot had a rough off season after setting the school record for receptions (52) and receiving yards (622) for a tight end. He is one of the best in the conference at his position and is primed for another All-Big Ten season.

Hendershot had been banged up late in the season and really hit hard in the bowl game. The first step was for him to get healthy.

“I think the first thing he had to do was get healthy, and he has worked really hard to get in the best shape of his life, from a physical standpoint. I think right now he is working on every aspect. I think he has got to get a little bit better in every aspect from run blocking to pass pro. He catches the ball and he has really good ball skills” Wright said.

Hendershot has his eyes on the next level, but there is still work to be done in Bloomington. “I need to be a technician. I think I have the tools to make it to the next level, but I need to be better in my run-blocking and pass-blocking technique. I need to clean up all of the little details because that it was really matters. That will allow me to take that next step and growth to become a better player” Hendershot told reporters.

If Hendershot can replicate the success he had last season in the passing game and add support in the run game, it will go a long way for this offense and his NFL Draft stock.

Matt Bjorson Image: Indiana University Athletics

Matt Bjorson, Junior- Bjorson has played in 25 games for the Hoosiers in his first two seasons. While not the starter, Bjorson has a valuable role of the bench and has been some key snaps since he arrived in Bloomington. For his career he has 12 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Bjorson is looking for a bigger role in 2020 and the Hoosiers would love to take some of the wear and tear off of Peyton Hendershot.

Bjorson said he has “taken the time to really change my body. I have gotten faster and think I could go out and make the plays on the outside instead of always staying inside the box. Whenever the team needs me, I will be able to go out and play.”

Kham Taylor, RS Senior -Taylor arrived at IU this summer as a graduate transfer and as a reinforcement in the tight end room. Taylor adds a physical presence at 6’4” and 265 pounds that should help Indiana’s offensive line in two tight end sets. “He is a big body. When he lines up out there it almost looks like an extra offensive lineman in an 80s jersey. I know what he brings to the table” Wright said. Taylor has been dealing with some injury issues, but should be healthy for the season opener.

Taylor played in 24 games at South Alabama and has seven career receptions and one touchdown.

Turon Ivy, RS Sophomore- Ivy was part of the Hoosiers 2018 signing class and redshirted his first season in Bloomington. He played in 11 games in 2019 and caught three passes for 24 yards. At 6’5” and 260 pounds, Ivy is another big bodied tight end who can be a factor catching the ball and in run support. Ivy should see his role increase as IU looks to use more two tight end sets in 2020.

Gary Cooper, RS Freshman- Cooper is built more like a wide receiver at 6’2” and 235 pounds, but he can be a match up issue for defenses as he can be faster than linebackers and too big for a safety to cover. Cooper played in just four games last season and was able to preserve his redshirt. He caught two passes for 15 yards. Cooper has caught some eyes this fall as head coach Tom Allen has mentioned his name numerous times as making plays in practice.

AJ Barner, Freshman- Barner may be the most intriguing of the young guys in the room. He 6’6” and 230 pounds, remember he is a true freshman and will put on more weight as he matures. Barner has been a standout in practice this fall.

AJ Barner hauls in a pass Image:Indiana University Athletics

“AJ is an offensive guy with a defensive mentality” tight ends coach Kevin Wright said. “His physical skillset, he is 6'6, 240 pounds and he is nowhere close to where he will be from a strength and bulk standpoint. He is very aggressive in the run game, very coachable, very smart kid. He did not play a lot of tight end in high school, so we really wondered about his ball skills. But he has shown tremendous ball skills, especially in the red zone.”

Ryan Barnes, RS Sophomore- Barnes is entering his third year for the Hoosiers after playing in five games as a redshirt freshman in 2019. His biggest impact came on scout team as he was named Indiana’s special teams scout team player of the year. Barnes can find his way onto the field in more situations on special teams if he can continue to show the effort needed in practice.

Trey Walker, RS Freshman- Walker joined the Hoosiers as a walk-on in 2019 as he redshirted the first season. He has good size at 6’5” and 252 pounds. He excelled in practice as he took home two scout team player of the week honors. Walker did not play football in high school, but he did play three years of varsity hockey. Sometimes a football team needs a little hockey player attitude. They are a special bread of tough.

Sam Daugstrup, Freshman- Daugstrup is an interesting prospect as a preferred walk-on. He comes from one of the best programs in Ohio (St. Ignatius). He is 6’5” and 240 pounds and was a three-star prospect with offers from 13 schools, including six from the Power Five. He is a tough player who is very physical in the blocking game and is not afraid to go over the middle and get walloped. He has been hampered by a bad knee injury suffered prior to his junior season. Experts say that if Daugstrup gets back to where he was prior to his knee injury, he can be a starting tight end in the league.