Countdown To IUFB Kickoff: 89 Days (Phil Benker)

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Written By Alex Compton (@Alexncompton)

#89

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kick-off has begun! There are now 89 days until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2017 season against the Ohio State Buckeyes. That seems like a long way away and I suppose it is, but this countdown will fly by and it will be football season before we know it! Today’s countdown takes a look at #89 Phil Benker.

PHIL BENKER

-Height: 6’2”
-Weight: 205 pounds
-Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
-Position: Wide Receiver

Indiana has possibly the best group of wide receivers in the Big Ten heading in to next year, and much of that is due to some established players returning for another season. Nick Westbrook, Simmie Cobbs, Luke Timian, and Donavan Hale make up just a few of those guys, but there are about three spots that need to be filled by guys who will make major impacts during the season. That group could be filled by a bunch of players, and one guy to keep an eye on is Phil Benker.

That “second group” for lack of a better term is incredibly important for any team, but especially Indiana in Richard Lagow’s final season. A new offense and more confident quarterback will need great targets to utilize, and Indiana needs about 7 of them at receiver this year to get the offense back on track.  Other candidates to fill this group include Jonah Morris, J-Shun Harris, Isaac James, and Taysir Mack, who are all good players in their own right. The three-star receiver from Sandalwood High School in Florida had an incredible career that included posting 104 receptions, 1,914 yards and 15 touchdowns, becoming the school’s all-time leader in catches and receiving yardage, being named an All-State player that was selected to the 2015 Times-Union Super 24 team and being named a two-time all-conference and All-First Coast honoree. He was also the team’s MVP in 2014 and 2015, before coming to IU and redshirting in 2016.

So what exactly does Benker bring to the table for the Hoosiers? For starters, size. At 6’2”, he has the size to punish smaller Big Ten corners and play either inside or outside. He is a better blocker than most on the team at receiver, so that could allow him to be a big bonus in the screen game. At the very least, the scout team player of the week against Purdue should be a valuable special teams player for Tom Allen this year as IU looks to turn their special teams woes around. In my opinion, I see Benker getting snaps at receiver this year and making a big play or two as a special teamer. Keep on eye on 89 for the next few years.