Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 86 Days (Peyton Hendershot)

Hoosier Huddle Countdown - #86

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2020 version of the Hoosier Huddle Countdown is underway! The countdown is well into the 80s and today’s profile focuses on number 86. There was a time during this offseason when it appeared this number would not be occupied by a current member of the team. Today’s profile is on one of the more talented tight ends in the Big Ten: Peyton Hendershot.

Name – Peyton Hendershot

Position – Tight End

Hometown – Redshirt Junior from North Salem, Indiana (Tri-West High School)

Height – 6’4”

Weight – 250 pounds

We must begin this countdown profile by saying that we cannot know for certain what Peyton Hendershot’s status for the 2020 season will be. A domestic incident involving a female student at Indiana clouded Hendershot’s future with Indiana University and his ability to continue playing football for the Hoosiers. At an April press conference conducted on Zoom, IU head coach Tom Allen said the redshirt junior “has been involved with some position meetings and team meetings. He’s working through things. At this point, he is brought back in a modified way with the team. Definitely progress, continuing to work through the process.”

Again, we cannot say for sure that Peyton Hendershot will have an on-field role in 2020. If a decision is definitively made from a legal, administrative or football program standpoint, Hoosier Huddle will adjust our tight end projections and this piece accordingly. Hendershot reached a plea deal with Monroe County Court on June 9th where he pled guilty to a misdemeanor criminal trespassing charge while the other charges were dropped.

For now, we will proceed like Hendershot will be on the field. If that ends up being the case, he will be the starting tight end and a tremendous weapon for the IU offense.

Peyton Hendershot played tight end for Tri-West High School and earned all-state honors in his senior season. He played in the first four games of 2017 before suffering a season-ending injury. 2018 became his redshirt freshman season and he started ten games, leading the tight end position (in a very tight end unfriendly offense) with 15 receptions and 163 yards. With a new offensive coordinator in town, Peyton Hendershot broke out in 2019. As a redshirt sophomore, he set single-season school records for a tight end with 52 catches and 622 yards. Hendershot added four touchdowns and started all 13 games. He was named third-team All-Big Ten by the media and honorable mention by the coaches.

Peyton Hendershot’s combination of size, quickness and athleticism make him a real problem for opposing defenses. New offensive coordinator is expected to continue to emphasize the tight end and Hendershot headlines a talented group. TJ Ivy, Matt Bjorson and Gary Cooper are the other main names to know and they will get snaps but the number one guy will be Hendershot. If he can stay healthy, a 60-catch, 700-yard, five touchdown season is very possible. If he can do that and IU is successful, Hendershot will be on All-Big Ten teams and he could be in consideration for some All-American teams.