Indiana Tight End Peyton Hendershot is Reinvested in 2021 and it's Paying Off
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Image: Amanda Pavelka, Hoosier Huddle
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Peyton Hendershot had a rocky and disappointing 2020 season after an All-Big Ten performance in 2019. His spring practice was cut short due to legal issues, his offseason was derailed by COVID and injuries which caused his on field performance to be plagued by drops and inconsistency.
“Last year, I didn't really feel invested in the team and so it was kind of hard to go out there on Saturday's and give it my all.” Hendershot admitted earlier this week.
2021 has been different as Hendershot has reinvested himself into the team and found himself being named one of Indiana’s captains for the year.
“This year, I feel very invested in the team. I feel like I've built a lot of relationships with my brothers on the team. I feel like I've done the most by hanging out with the guys and getting to know them. I feel like that's a big part of me being a captain, but it's also just working so hard.” Hendershot explained. “I wanted to let everyone know that what I did last year wasn't going to happen again, so I did everything I could. I just built relationships with my teammates and that played a big part in my becoming a captain this year. It's the biggest thing ever. I cried when they told me that. Growing up you never thought you'd be the captain of a Big Ten football team, so I'm very honored and blessed and I'll do whatever I can for this team.”
His buy in has shown on the field and in the stat book. The big tight end has nine receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown through three games.
The 2020 season took a toll of Hendershot and his reinvestment started in the offseason this past winter and spring in the weight room.
“I think it was just the feeling after last year, feeling like I let the team down. I feel like I just didn't play to the standard that I should have last year.” Hendershot said. “Whenever I got done with the season (last year), I just told myself every little opportunity I get this offseason, I'm going to do something to work and to make myself a better player. I didn't feel good. I wasn't happy about how I played last year, and I didn't want to have that feeling in my gut again at the end of this season.”
Indiana head coach Tom Allen received rave reviews from strength coach Aaron Wellman and his staff. “Our strength staff said they'd never had a young man have a better eight-month period than he had in the off-season. He's worked extremely hard to get better. He looks faster and he's just in great shape. He's worked hard on improving his blocking." Allen said.
Indiana offensive coordinator, who has caught heat from the fan base for not targeting Hendershot enough, has taken notice of the difference in Hendershot this season.
“I think he just had an awesome offseason. He prepares really hard; he practices really hard. So, it's no surprise that he's playing well. And I thought he played tough. He's been reliable catching the football, he's had some run after catch.” Sheridan said on Monday.
Hendershot’s road to redemption both on and off the field has been long and hard, but the work is starting to payoff for the redshirt senior. The Hoosiers will need to continue to get Hendershot more involved in the offense after his six-catch performance against Cincinnati.