Written by Evan Orris

With the loss of Whop Philyor to the NFL, the Hoosiers receiver room took a hit in terms of veteran presence. Ty Fryfogle is still in Bloomington as a fifth-year senior, but the Hoosiers have a young core outside of him. However, wide receiver Miles Marshall is looking to provide another voice in the wide receiver room.

“I feel like I'm learning. I haven't been in a leadership role since I've been here, but now I'm kind of pushed into it.” Marshall said. “I'm trying to make sure all the young guys stay in the playbook and make sure they are doing all the right things. Whop was a great leader, but he just left. Now it is up to me and Ty to lead the room.”

Marshall, now a junior, is one of the most experienced players in the wide receiver room. Throughout his career, he has appeared in 20 games, while starting in eight of those. The coaching staff has challenged Marshall to fill the leadership role that was left by Philyor.

“We are trying to get him to be a true vocal leader in that room because he has been there and played a lot of ball. He is one of the veterans of that room. That is my challenge for him. Every day is an opportunity for him to go out there and get better.” wide receivers coach Grant Heard said.

Marshall caught 19 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown last season. At 6’4”, 212 pounds, Marshall has the size and catch radius to become an issue for defending cornerbacks. Yet, he still has a ways to go. Marshall has been working with coach Heard this spring to unlock his true potential.

“He has a complete understanding of what we are trying to do. I feel really good about that part. For him, we are trying to get him to play more physical and let people feel his presence out there on the field with his blocking and 50/50 balls.” Heard said

Marshall knows that he can be the perfect complement to Ty Fryfogle. But he acknowledges that he needs to take that much-needed step in his game.

“I hope my role increases. That is up to me. I have to keep working hard. I have to keep getting faster. I got to work on my hands and my releases. I just have to become a better player to get the things I want to do. My goal is to end up in the NFL, so I have a couple more years to achieve that goal.” Marshall said

Marshall has a couple of years to fulfill his dreams. But this season should be a step in the right direction for Marshall. He is expected to line-up opposite of Fryfogle, with D.J Matthews, the explosive transfer from Florida State, manning the slot.

The Huddle

Hoosiers’ Wide Receiver Miles Marshall Looks to Fill Leadership Role

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