2021 IU Wide Receiver Preview: Ty Fryfogle Returns to a Talented and Deep Group

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

One of the most exciting positions to watch in the 2021 season for the Indiana Hoosiers will be the wide receivers. It’s a group that returns the reigning Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year in Ty Fryfogle and add impact transfers from Power Five Schools to fill the shoes of those who have departed. It is a position group that is well balanced between youth and experience.

“I feel like I there are six or seven guys that we could put in there and feel comfortable that they can go in and make a play and know what we are doing.” IU receivers coach Grant Heard said during fall camp. “It's awesome because every year I've been here I've lost one for a game or a season. Big Ten football is rough, and it's called Big Ten football for a reason. We are going to have to have depth and you're always going to have to be on alert and ready to jump in there and make a play. It just makes me feel better because if something happens, if someone is tired, someone is dinged up, whatever the case may be, I don't have to scramble about who's going in next.”

Probable Starters

Ty Fryfogle 6’2” 205lbs.- Fryfogle is the headliner of the room for the Hoosiers. He is coming off a stellar campaign in which he caught 37 passes for 721 yards and seven touchdowns. He shocked many IU fans by foregoing the NFL Draft and returning to IU. The senior can go get the ball with the best of them, but needs to be able to create more separation to take the next step in his game. Fryfogle has a great connection with quarterback Michael Penix and he will have a shot to etch his name into the Indiana record book in 2021.

Miles Marshall, 6’4” 212lbs. - Marshall had a nice 2020 season despite some drops that impacted his numbers. Despite those drops, Marshall came up with some big catches for the Hoosiers and seems ready to take the next step and become IU’s number two receiver. He made 19 catches for 290 yards and a touchdown in seven games. Marshall’s six-foot-four frame makes him a formidable receiver in the Big Ten and after appearing in 21 games over three years he has the experience as well.

D.J. Matthews, 5’11” 160lbs.- The assumption is that D.J. Matthews will take the place of Whop Philyor in the slot. Matthews is one of the transfers mentioned above. He came to IU via Florida State where he put up solid numbers in both the pass and return games. “He is full go.” Heard said of Matthews. “He's a sharp kid, very intelligent. Good to go with the playbook. Now it's just more trying to refine some of the stuff and getting it to the way we want it done. Every once in a while, he reverts back to those Seminole ways and so I've got to remind him 'You're a Hoosier now' and we do it this way. He's done awesome. The first day I saw him, he's done some stuff route wise that they didn't do over there that he naturally knows how to do so he's making my job easier.”

Key Rotation Player

Cam Buckley, 6’2” 198lbs.- The second significant wide receiver is Cam Buckley from Texas A&M who had 62 receptions for 877 yards (14.1 average) and four touchdowns in 39 games with the Aggies. He’s a thick receiver who has great hands. Buckley said in fall camp that “the playbook has become second nature now, like I am not even thinking about it. I hear the play and I am going, so I would say it is second nature now. The playbook just came natural.” That’s good news for the Hoosiers as Buckley will see significant time in the wide receiver rotation.

Jacolby Hewitt 6’1” 198lbs.- Hewitt didn’t have many opportunities in 2020, a season in which he was coming off an ACL injury, but boy did he make the most of it. The redshirt junior’s catch in traffic against Penn State helped fuel a dramatic come back. In total he made five catches for 68 yards and returned four kickoffs for 59 yards. Hewitt’s role should expand as he can play any of the receiver positions and has shown he can make clutch plays.

Da’Shaun Brown, 6’2” 180lbs.- Brown has only played in two games at IU after redshirting in 2019 and suffering an injury against Michigan in 2020. He played quarterback and cornerback in high school so the athleticism is there to be a Big Ten wide receiver. He has some work to do to get healthy and move up in the rotation, but the potential is there.

Javon Swinton, 6’2” 187lbs.- The sophomore played in eight games last season, including a start in the Outback Bowl. He only made four catches for 52 yards in 2020, but was used in some big spots. His playing time should only increase this season.

Additional Depth

David Baker, 6’3” 195lbs.- The Indianapolis native played in one game and redshirted in 2020. Baker’s size could mean he finds his way into more playing time. He is part of the next group of young IU receivers who will replace Fryfogle and company after 2021.

Jordyn Williams, 6’1” 184lbs.­- Williams is an outstanding athlete and has been on campus since January, which should help him move up in the rotation. However, IU’s rotation is deep and the true freshman has a lot of names to pass. He should be one of the players to see action in four games and take advantage of the redshirt rule. I will not be surprised when Williams becomes a fan favorite over the next few seasons.

Jaquez Smith, 6’1” 180lbs.- Smith is another freshman who should have a big impact in his career for IU. "It's like they say around here, if don't know the playbook, you can't play," Smith said over the summer. "That's the main thing I stay on. You have to lock in on that." If Smith can lock in on that him and Williams will be a nice 1-2 freshman combo.

Malachi Holt-Bennett, 6’3” 180lbs.- Holt-Bennett is yet another talented freshman receiver for the Hoosiers (the future is in good hands). He was an All-State selection in Alabama. He will need to grow into his frame, but he has time since the Hoosiers are deep at receiver. He could be a candidate for the four-game redshirt rule.

Walk-ons

Connor Delp, 5’10” 180lbs.- A freshman from Indiana power house Center Grove should help on the scout team.

Christian Harris, 6’3” 176lbs.- Harris was named the Chris Beaty Outstanding Walk-on Award winner in 2020 and was rewarded by playing in five games. His efforts should be reward with more playing time in 2021.

Eli Jochem, 6’1” 180lbs.- A freshman who will have to make his mark on the practice field to help the Hoosiers. He hails from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.

McCall Ray, 5’11” 192lbs.- Ray is from down the road in Bedford, Indiana. He was named the Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year in 2020. He has not seen any game action yet.