Indiana Football Will Be Hosting Major Prospects on a Huge IU Sports Weekend

Tom Allen and his staff look to lock in a few commitments this weekend. Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle) 

A big weekend in Indiana sports is upon us. The men’s soccer team is out on the west coast trying to complete their “Quest for Nine” in the College Cup. The men’s basketball team is hosting Louisville Saturday afternoon and the undefeated women’s basketball team will go for 9-0 on Sunday against Missouri State in Bloomington on Sunday. While these programs are looking for success on the pitch and the hardwood, the Hoosier football team will be trying to improve their future off the field by hosting 15 prospects that could help Tom Allen and his staff improve upon back-to-back five-win seasons. Here is the breakdown of prospects that will be in Bloomington this weekend from the list given to us by Matt Weaver of Peegs.com (Thanks, Matt): 

Prospects Committed to Indiana

1. Matthew Bedford, Offensive Tackle, Cordova, TN, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

Bedford was one of the prospects who verballed to IU during a flurry of commitments in June. Indiana needs to stock pile some offensive linemen and build up the trenches. Bedford has since picked up offers from SEC schools Mississippi State and South Carolina.

2. Sampson James, Running Back, Avon, IN, 247Sports Composite: 4-Star

The crown jewel of the 2019 Hoosier recruiting class flipped from Ohio State back in October. He’s a top-200 player nationally and put up over 1,000 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns for a 9-3 Avon team. He is one of two running backs in this class.

3. Dorian Jones, Inside Linebacker, Plantation, FL, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

Jones is a mid-level three-star prospect that will help bolster Indiana’s linebacker corps. Jones had offers from Power Five schools Kansas State, Kentucky and Syracuse.

4. Michael Katic, Guard, Gibsonia, PA, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

Another much needed offensive lineman from the under recruited state of Pennsylvania. Katic chose IU over Power Five schools Boston College, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and Virginia.

5. Ivory Winters, Running Back, Hayti, MO, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

Former Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson wanted to recruit players from winning programs to help build the culture of winning at IU. Tom Allen found a player that fits that mold in running back Ivory Winters. Winters and James will add to an already impressive running back room. He chose IU over Power Five schools Arkansas, Kentucky and Purdue.

6. Sean Wracher, Long Snapper, Cleveland, OH, 247Sports Composite: 2-Star

Tom Allen wanted to give special teams a makeover and started handing out scholarships to specialists. Indiana will have to replace All-American Dan Godsil in 2019, Wracher is the logical choice. He rated a five-star prospect according to KohlsKicking.com, the experts on rating specialists. He picked Indiana over Power Five programs Penn State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

Uncommitted Prospects

1. David Bell, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis, IN, 247Sports Composite: 4-Star

This is THE big fish on campus this weekend and in the state of Indiana. Bell can be a trajectory changing addition for Indiana’s class. Bell helped lead Warren Central to an undefeated season and a state title while putting up 1,542 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. IU’s biggest competition here is Purdue and Penn State. If, and it’s a big if, IU can steal Bell away not only would it boost their class it would take away a weapon from their biggest rival. 

2. Danielson Ike, Offensive Tackle, Kansas City, MO, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

Ike would be a major addition for IU. He’s 6’6” 300 pounds, just what IU needs. Ike has offers from all over the country. According to Peegs.com writer Matt Weaver, Ike is focused on IU, Michigan and Oklahoma.

3. Cameron Williams, Outside Linebacker, Merrivlille, IN, 247Sports Composite: 4-Star

Williams could be an instant plug and play linebacker for the Hoosiers and as an in-state prospect could help change the perception of IU football in the state. Williams has eight Power Five offers and his 247Sports’ Crystal Ball is trending toward the Hoosiers (83%). 

4.Kristian Williams, Defensive Tackle, Memphis, TN, 247 Sports Composite: 4-Star

Indiana will need to beef up their defensive line as well and Williams could be that guy, at 6’3” and 280 pounds, he can plug the holes needed to improve the defense. Williams has a top-five of Indiana, Memphis, Minnesota, Missouri and Tennessee.

Prospects Committed Elsewhere

1. Thomas Nance, Athlete, Eagle Lake, FL, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star (Committed to South Florida)

Tom Allen loves his Florida players and Nance is another mid-level prospect from the Sunshine State that could head north. He is currently committed to South Florida, however is interested in IU enough to take the trip to Bloomington. He holds offers from Power Five schools Duke, Illinois and Iowa State.

2. Nicolas Toomer, Safety, Tyrone, GA, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star (Committed to Stanford)

Toomer has been at the top of IU’s board for a while and a commitment to Stanford is not scaring the Hoosiers off. He holds offers from Power Five programs Minnesota, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Stanford Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.

JUCO Prospects

1. Blake Bedier, Offensive Tackle, Ephraim, UT, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

Indiana will have to go the JUCO route to try and balance the roster. One of the positions needing balance is along the O-line. Bedier is a 6’6” 280-pound tackles from Snow College. He holds Power Five offers from Rutgers and West Virginia.

2. Everett Cunningham, Defensive End, West Point, MS, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

One of the biggest needs in 2019 is a pass rush and IU may have to go the JUCO route for immediate help. At East Mississippi, of Last Chance U fame, Cunningham made 57 tackles, including 20.5 for loss and 13 sacks. If he can bring about half that production to the IU line, it’d be a home run.

3. Reggie Todd, Wide Receiver, Mobile, AL, 247Sports Composite: 3-Star

Todd’s Crystal Ball is 100% to IU, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up committing this weekend. Todd is a 6’5” receiver, the kind of length IU is looking for. He played two years at Mississippi State before heading to Hinds Community College.