Countdown to Kickoff: Day 84 (Danny Friend)

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Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)


#84

There are now 84 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! Currently, tight end Danny Friend is sporting the number 84 for the Hoosiers.

Danny Friend (Redshirt Junior)

-Height: 6’5”
-Weight: 260 pounds
-Hometown: Morris, Illinois
-Position: Tight End

Friend came to IU from Morris Community High School where he played both ways for coach Alan Thorson. During his senior season, where Friend earned 2012 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 5A All-State selection, as well as named the 2012 Herald-News Defensive Player of the Year and the 2012 Northern Illinois Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, he made 15 catches for 283 yards and four touchdowns and recorded 56 tackles, seven sacks, and three interceptions. 

Unfortunately, Danny Friend’s career at IU has been riddled with injury. He has only played in 16 games since 2013, missing the entire 2014 season and the final nine games of the 2015 season. However, Friend was back in the spring and when he has played he has been one of the better tight ends for the Hoosiers. Friend is an excellent blocker and really helped solidify the edge for Jordan Howard in the first four games last season. Friend can also be a weapon in the passing game, despite only having three career catches for 39 yards.

With Michael Cooper (in camp with Washington), and Anthony Corsaro graduated, Friend’s role in the offense should be expanding. At 6’5” he provides an excellent target for the quarterback who is under center. As long as Friend stays healthy in 2016 he will be a reason the IU offense keeps their rank among the best in the Big Ten. 

Share any memories or recollections you have of Danny Friend 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!