Countdown to Kickoff: 33 Days (Ricky Brookins)

Written By Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)

#33

There are now 33 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Today we look at number 33 Ricky Brookins

Ricky Brookins (Redshirt Sophomore)

-Height: 5’8”
-Weight: 193 pounds
-Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana
-Position: Running Back

When facing a future of uncertainty, it is always best to lean on someone who has dealt with similar circumstances. Entering the 2016 season, that’s exactly what reserve running back Ricky Brookins did, and he found a fellow player who had recently walked in his shoes.
 
After not seeing quite as much playing time last season as many might have expected after such a strong spring session and an equally as impressive preseason camp, which earned him a scholarship, Brookins got lost in shuffle amid a bevy of talented running backs.
 
He saw action in 7 games last fall, carrying the ball 10 times for 72 yards and returning 10 kicks for 172 yards.
 
While earning a scholarship was a great honor for Brookins, just as it is for any walk on, he wants to contribute, to make a difference on game days. That’s why when fellow former walk on Mitchell Paige spoke, he took heed in his advice.
 
"The way I got to travel was just knowing every position, just know as much as you can," Paige said. "You just add as much value as you can. I just started holding, catching punts, just do as much as you can to make sure your value stays high. When you have as much talent as we do now, it's important."
 
So in essence, expand your knowledge and understanding if you want to expand your role and importance to team, otherwise you will get lost among the endless list of talented athletes pressing for time at running back and wide receiver.
 
Brookins was also already returning kicks for the Hoosiers, so the next logical progression would be to try his “hands” out at wide receiver, and with his 5-foot-8 frame, he is an ideal fit for the slot.
 
While this is also a position of abundance, like tailback, Brookins knows that continuing to hone and diversify his skill set will ultimately give him a much greater shot at seeing the field.
 
And while consistent playing time is still as much an uncertainty as it was in 2015, Brookins will know it was not for a lack of effort on his part. And when his number is called, he’ll be ready, for wherever he’s placed on the field.

Share any memories or recollections you have of Ricky Brookins as a player in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!