Countdown to Kickoff 81 Days (Jordan Fuchs)

Written By: Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)

Our countdown to kickoff continues, just 81 days stand between now and when the Hoosiers take the field against FCS opponent, Southern Illinois. Let's take a look at number 81 for Indiana, sophomore tight end Jordan Fuchs.

The native of the Empire State was a mid-year enrollee, making his way to Indiana in January 2014. During his prep career he was a standout on the hardwood. As a senior at Christ the King High School he averaged 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds a game, his coach calling him one of the best forwards he had ever coached, picking up offers from Dayton, Iowa State, and Rutgers, among others.

Fuchs did not start playing football until his final year at Christ the King, utilizing his rare combination of size and athleticism to take advantage of smaller defensive backs or slower linebackers that attempted to cover him. Despite garnering a considerable amount of interest to play basketball at the next level, Fuchs decided that he might have greater success playing football in college. As such, he attended New York's Milford Academy for a semester to hone his football skills, where he caught 19 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. 

Jordan Fuchs - Tight End
	Sophomore 6'6''/233 Queens, N.Y. Milford Academy

Fuchs played in all 12 of Indiana's games last fall, catching three passes for 31 yards and the Hoosiers lone touchdown from the tight end position. His first year on campus got a little more interesting when basketball coach Tom Crean asked Fuchs if he would be like to sport the candy-striped pants. Fuchs joined the basketball team in early February and remained with them for the rest of the season.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

As the Hoosiers attempt to rectify their passing attack in 2015, having a consistent pass catching threat at tight end could go a long way in making that happen. Fuchs is one of four experienced options at the position, so it should be a very heated battle for playing time when fall camp rolls around. Fuchs is the most slender of the four, so adding some more muscle to his frame would make him a more well-rounded option. Regardless, Fuchs should still get ample opportunity to prove that he belongs on the field with either his hand on the ground or split-out.