Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 15 Days (Zack Merrill)

Written by Nate Comp

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff is in its final stages as we’re just over two weeks away from the first game. The Hoosiers kick off the 2020 season at home against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Today, we’ll highlight redshirt freshman quarterback wearing the number 15 jersey, Zack Merrill.

Zack Merrill (Redshirt Freshman)

Hometown: Hobart, Indiana

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 209 Pounds

Position: Quarterback

Walk on quarterback Zack Merrill joined the program in fall camp of 2019. Merrill has not seen action with the Hoosiers and focuses mostly on making contributions to the scout team. He earned scout team player of the week honors in games against Michigan and the week of the Old Oaken Bucket victory against Purdue. Coach Allen praised Merrill for his work that week saying he “played quarterback, gave us a great look, energy, focus, keeping those guys on a good tempo.”

At Andrean High School in Merrillville, Merrill set a school-record for completion percentage at 70.3 percent (175-of-249) for 2401 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior. The dual-threat athlete also rushed for 332 yards and eight TDs. Though he received interest as a recruit from Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Harvard, Pennsylvania, and Princeton, he received no offers and ultimately chose to walk on with the home state Hoosiers.

Zack will continue to add needed depth and contributions to the scout team at the quarterback position.