Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The Indiana tight ends room ceiling was vastly improved when Peyton Hendershot opted to return, but he is not the only name to be excited about.

“I told the guys in our room this is probably the first time in a long time, maybe ever, that you can look in the tight end room and say ‘hey, there’s a couple NFL guys sitting in that room,” said tight ends coach Kevin Wright to the media last week.

Hendershot is certainly the headline name in that bunch, but Indiana fans should expect to see other names contributing as well. Kalen DeBoer used the two-tight end set frequently in his one season as offensive coordinator a couple years ago, and Wright made it seem as though that may make a return this year. This will provide an opportunity for numerous players in the room to see action.

“We’ve got some big bodies who are athletic, that have the potential to plug and play as we need. It’s a long season, so we’re probably gonna need them all at some point.”

Today we’ll highlight the tight end position for Indiana in the 2021 season.

Aaron Steinfeldt, Freshman, 6’5” 245 Pounds

Aaron Steinfeldt is the newest addition to the tight end room. The class of 2021 recruit from Bloomington North High School was ranked a 3-star prospect and the 12th best player from the state of Indiana last year. Steinfeldt was a two-time all-state player and Indiana Football Coaches Association Mr. Football position award winner. He closed his high school career with 94 receptions (2nd in school history), 1444 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

The tight end position is typically a place a player needs a couple years of development at before playing significant time, and that is likely the case for Steinfeldt this season. However, Kevin Wright is happy with how he has progressed over the course of fall camp.

“He’s shown some real improvement the last week and a half.”

Khameron Taylor, Redshirt Senior+, 6’4” 261 Pounds

Khameron Taylor dealt with an injury bug all of last season after transferring to Indiana from South Alabama over the offseason. Taylor is known mostly as a blocking tight end, but he did catch seven passes for 85 yards during his time with South Alabama.

“He was banged up most of last year but has been able to come back in and have a good camp,” said Wright. “He’s a big body, he’s played a lot of football. He’s got really good feet for a big guy and knows how to use his hands as well. He definitely can be a guy that we bring in for two-tight end or three-tight end sets, goal line as well.”

Peyton Hendershot, Redshirt Senior, 6’4” 254 Pounds

The headliner of the room is Peyton Hendershot. Hendershot exploded under DeBoer’s system in 2019, setting the Indiana single-season record for tight ends in receptions (52). His production dropped a bit last season, though he did finish second on the team with 23 receptions for 151 yards and four touchdowns. After battling some injuries, he’s primed for another great year this season.

“I feel probably the best I've ever felt in my life,” said Hendershot. “My speed, my strength, everything. I feel like for a long time I was trying to figure out a good weight for me. My sophomore year I was 265, last year I was a little too light, this year I'm at 245 and I feel that that is a really good weight for me, especially running routes.”

His focus over the offseason has been developing a better relationship with quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

“Last year you could just tell how we were not on the same page. That is just a bunch of unfortunate circumstances: we didn't get the spring or fall to throw at all, so we made that an emphasis for us this offseason. Any time we could, me and Mike would go throw and catch. I feel like we have a really good chemistry coming into this year.”

Wright also feels Hendershot has had a great offseason and is primed for another breakout season.

“He has had a great offseason. Watching him and his development, he has always been able to catch the football and have good ball skills. I think what you will see is one of the better blocking tight ends in the Big Ten. I think that is a byproduct of all the work he has put in this offseason. He is one of our strongest guys on the team in general. Good ball skills, he is stronger, more physical, and he has played like a veteran throughout camp.”

AJ Barner, Sophomore, 6’6” 245 Pounds

AJ Barner had a bit of a transition to make coming into college after playing a lot of linebacker in high school, but the staff is excited about his progression over just one season. Barner has embraced the change and has really benefited from having Matt Bjorson and Peyton Hendershot to learn under.

“In high school, I was more of a defensive player,” said Barner. “Now, transitioning in college and playing tight end, I bring that physicality to the table in blocking and lateral movement, I feel like I have an upper hand in that. It has been a great transition and am really happy I made the switch.”

Barner saw eight games of action in his first year last season, though all of that time came on special teams. He will have an expanded role this year.

“He is a guy that I think has a high ceiling and I think you will see him more on the field this year, not just on special teams, but in different packages,” added Wright. “He is going to be a good football player.”

Matt Bjorson, Senior, 6’3” 241 Pounds

The man with the second-most experience in the tight end room is Matt Bjorson. He brings 33 games of experience to the Hoosiers and has caught 13 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. Bjorson won the team’s Ted Verlihay “Mental Attitude” Award last year.

“He’s a fourth-year guy that has played in every single game since he walked on campus,” said Wright. “Matt’s a very detailed guy in everything he does in regards to blocking, route running, and just life in general.”

James Bomba, Freshman, 6’6” 255 Pounds

Tom Allen and staff added James Bomba from the transfer portal this offseason. The Bloomington native spent one season at Miami (OH) before entering the portal this offseason and opting to return home. As a high school prospect, Bomba was a 3-star tight end ranked as the number 20 prospect in the state of Indiana.

Ryan Barnes, Redshirt Junior, 6’4” 244 Pounds

Barnes joined the program in 2018 as a walk-on. He redshirted his first season but has appeared in seven games since then. He has yet to register a stat but is a seven-time scout team player of the week and was 2019’s special teams scout team player of the year. Barnes will provide additional depth to the tight end room in 2021.

Trey Walker, Redshirt Sophomore, 6’5” 245 Pounds

Walker is another walk-on that joined the program during the 2019 season. The 2020 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar was named offensive scout team player of the year last season. He will provide additional depth in 2021 and will look to see his first game action.

Sam Daugstrup, Redshirt Freshman, 6’5” 230 Pounds

Daugstrup joined the program as a walk-on during fall camp last season. He has not yet seen game action. He had surgery over the offseason and will provide additional depth at the position in 2021.

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