Countdown To Kickoff: 67 Days (Dan Feeney)

Written by: Alex Compton (@alexncompton)

#67

There are now 67 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! This time around, it is All-American Dan Feeney’s turn!

Dan Feeney    

-Height: 6’4”
-Weight: 310 pounds
-Hometown: Orland Park, Illinois
-Position: Offensive Line

When it is all said and done, Dan Feeney may go down as the best player in Indiana history. With 37 career starts at right guard through three seasons, he has allowed just one sack. Talk about an anchor. He consistently dominates every week, and has yet to appear overmatched by any player that the Hoosiers have played against. Playing against the nation’s best week in and week out would wear down lesser players, but it has only made Dan better so far. Had he turned pro this season with one year of eligibility remaining, he would have been no worse than a third round pick. Coming back however, will help him get stronger and more technically sound, which can do nothing to hurt his stock. 

Besides tremendous pro prospects following the season, Feeney will likely have a large amount of hardware to collect. He has a great shot at being named a finalist for the Outland Trophy (top lineman), will likely be first-team All Big Ten, region, etc. Last season, #67 was recognized as an All-American, as he became just the sixth lineman from IU to receive such an honor. With Jason Spriggs off to Green Bay following an All-American season himself, it will be up to team captain Feeney to anchor another strong offensive line. With tons of young talent waiting behind the current starters, Feeney will have to show the young guys what it takes as well. 

Should Feeney replicate his performance of last season, he may end up as the best player to ever come through Bloomington. Coach Wilson has talked about that briefly in the past, but if Feeney could perform as well, if not better than he has his whole career, he would likely get the national recognition he deserves. The NFL Twitter account recently posted a story about the top college football linemen to watch. #1? Dan Feeney of course. People are starting to take note of the beast he is, which is great for the program. The Feeney’s of the future have to love the development they have seen in him, and I am sure his success will be used when recruiting the next wave of great Hoosiers. While linemen aren’t really sexy to the fans, having players like Dan up front flat out win you ball games.

He has the potential to become a legend in Bloomington, as well as to make himself a really nice living at the next level. There are just not enough things I could say about Dan to show how huge his return to campus was this offseason. The unfortunate thing about a player like Feeney is that they aren’t appreciated as much during their careers because you just expect greatness week in and week out. The problem with a guy like Feeney is that you don’t appreciate them until they are gone. The problem Hoosier fans don’t have this season? Replacing him. Feeney will be back and better than ever in 2016. D-linemen beware. 

Share any memories or expectations you have of Dan Feeney 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!