Countdown to 2019 IUFB Kickoff: 89 Days (Matt Bjorson)

Written by T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

2019 Countdown - #89

Name – Matt Bjorson

Position – Tight End (Sophomore)

Hometown – Hinsdale, Illinois (Hinsdale Central)

Height – 6’3”

Weight – 255 pounds

The 2019 Hoosier Huddle Countdown is now churning along and we are taking a close look at #89, sophomore tight end Matt Bjorson.

“He is like having a coach on the field,” Hinsdale Central coach Dan Hartman said in 2018 of then high school senior Matt Bjorson. “He goes all out on every play, trying to dominate the player he is going against.” It’s clear where he got that mindset, his father and older brother both played football for the University of Cincinnati and Matt began his football career in just second grade. Like most young standout players, he was a quarterback that grew into a fullback and receiver. His brother Kris was a tight end at UC so Matt was switched to that position in as a sophomore in high school. An early injury motivated him to bulk up and become a more physical player. He committed himself to being a complete player and worked on both blocking and receiving and it paid off in 2017 as he earned all-state honors as a senior in Illinois. He closed his career with 51 receptions and 12 touchdowns and impressed Indiana coaches at an IU camp and the Hoosiers offered him a scholarship that Bjorson quickly accepted.

Most considered him a candidate to redshirt but his play during fall camp stood out enough to get him on the field early in the 2018 season. Bjorson made his debut in IU’s season-opener, securing a 15-yard reception against Florida International. He had a pair of catches for 31 yards against Ball State in mid-September and ended the season with five catches for 53 yards. Bjorson may not have been 100% during the Big Ten season because his playing time dipped and he was hardly targeted during the back half of the campaign. This was perplexing because he looked good whenever he was given a chance to play. He appeared in all 12 games during his freshman season.

The tight end position is pretty well-stocked and young for Indiana as Bjorson is joined by redshirt freshman TJ Ivy, redshirt sophomore Peyton Hendershot and incoming freshman and versatile weapon Gary Cooper. Peyton Hendershot is probably considered the “starter” but with a new offensive coordinator at the helm, making assumptions about where players stand is potentially unwise. My prediction is that the tight ends will be used in more ways under Kalen DeBoer than we saw under Mike DeBord and that should benefit this position group. I think a reasonable goal for Bjorson would be reach 20 receptions, a couple of touchdowns and solidify himself as a positive blocker that aids the offense.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown continues each day so check back daily!

HUTCH’S TRIVIA QUESTION

 In honor of the late Terry Hutchens, we are including a daily IUFB trivia question from his book So You Think You Know Indiana University Football. Hutch is dearly missed and this is our way of keeping his memory with us this season. Please leave your answers in the comments section.

This player is best known as the first African-American to be drafted to a National Football League team?

 (check back tomorrow for the answer)

 Yesterday’s Answer: Holiday Bowl