Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 95 Days (Brandon Wilson)
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
#95
The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kick-off is underway! There are now 95 days until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2017 season against the Ohio State Buckeyes. 95 days out is still quite a haul but we’ll make it! Today’s countdown focuses on another pass rusher, defensive lineman Brandon Wilson.
Brandon Wilson
-Height: 6’3”
-Weight: 250 pounds
-Hometown: Winter Garden, FL (West Orange High School)
-Position: Defensive Line
As everyone is well-aware, the Indiana Hoosiers had a remarkable turnaround in 2016 under the guidance of Tom Allen and defensive front coach Mark Hagen. Despite the improvement, there is little doubt the Hoosiers need to find a few individuals of providing game-changing one-on-one pass rush. Pass rusher Allen Stallings was focused on four days ago and now we turn our attention to Brandon Wilson, another guy the Hoosiers will look to up his game and provide some pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Wilson came to Indiana as a well-regarded prospect from West Orange High School in Florida. As a senior, he had 81 tackles with seven sacks and he earned first team all-county honors as his team went 11-1. He redshirted the 2015 season and was named the two-time scout team player of the week during his true freshman year. Last season, he only appeared in five games and made a pair of tackles. It seems likely that Wilson remains entrenched behind Jacob Robinson and Robert McCray as edge rushers.
The big question for Wilson will be whether or not he can beat out guys like Stallings, Omari Stringer or the true freshmen that will be joining the team this summer. The Hoosiers will probably regularly play 10-12 defensive lineman and maybe 4-5 of those guys will strictly be edge pass rushers like Wilson appears to be. This is a very important season for the redshirt sophomore because a lot of talent has been brought in behind him and some of those guys will develop quickly and be ready to contribute immediately. If he doesn’t work his way into the rotation this season, it’s fair to question whether or not he will at any point during his time in Bloomington. Whether or not he’s a regular rotation member, he will certainly have a shot to still be a contributor on special teams.
Please share any comments or thoughts in the comments section or in our message board. The countdown continues tomorrow so make sure to check Hoosier Huddle daily as we churn towards the 2017 season!