Indiana Tops Off 2020 Class with Two Additional Signings
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Tom Allen talks to reporters about his 2020 signing class Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
The Indiana Hoosiers signed another solid group of players during the 2020 recruiting period. The class is 20 players deep including a graduate transfer, with 18 signing early and two late additions to close out the cycle. Size is the big theme of this class, with seven of the 20 players being offensive lineman to go with three defensive linemen. One of the most glaring holes on Indiana’s roster over the past several years has been depth in the trenches. Coach Allen and his staff did more than enough to address this by signing several quality linemen who will help the Hoosiers compete in the Big Ten. The class has an average rating of 85.00 by 247Sports and ranked 58th nationally. In comparison, the 2019 class had an average rating of 85.77 and ranked 39th nationally. The lower ranking is mainly due to the smaller class size.
Aside from all the linemen, the 2020 class was diverse. With players from nine different states, the Hoosiers added a quarterback, a running back, a tight end, two wide receivers, three defensive backs, a linebacker and one athlete. Indiana adds six in-state players, three from Georgia, two from Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, and Virginia, and one each from California, Ohio, and Texas. Eight freshmen as well as offensive lineman Dylan Powell have enrolled early, who joins the Hoosiers as a grad transfer student from Stanford.
Indiana may count on Powell to provide an immediate impact, and he will have his chances to carve out a roll in the offensive line rotation. Fresh bodies up front is a requirement to survive in the Big Ten, and the 2020 class will give Indiana several. Powell joins six other O-linemen coming to IU: Luke Wiginton from Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana is 6-foot-5, 285lbs and has enrolled early. Cameron Knight, a 6-foot-3, 260lbs guard from Noblesville High School also enrolled early. Cameron Knight is the younger brother of Brandon Knight, former Hoosier guard and current member of the Dallas Cowboys. The third in-state lineman to sign with Indiana is Randy Holtz from Fort Wayne Snider High School, ranked as the 14th best prospect in Indiana per Rivals.
The tallest member of the class is offensive lineman Luke Haggard from Santa Rose Junior College in California. Haggard was rated as a top-100 JUCO player in the 2020 cycle according to 247Sports. Brady Feeney, a versatile lineman from Christian Brothers College High School in Missouri, played all five positions along the offensive line in high school. Perhaps the gem of the class, and one of the two late additions, Kahlil Benson joins Indiana from Southaven High School in Mississippi. Coach Allen praised Benson, "We are so impressed with Kahlil's character, the way he handles himself and his leadership on and off of the field. He's a big offensive lineman with a very bright future here at Indiana.” Benson is 6-foot-6, 330lbs and should have a chance to make an immediate impact.
On the other side of the ball, the Hoosiers inked three defensive linemen. Damarjhe Lewis headlines the group as a 6-foot-3, 295lbs defensive tackle from Griffin High School in Georgia. Another early enrollee, Lewis was ranked as a top-50 defensive tackle in the country by ESPN and was a three-year letter winner in basketball as well. Caleb Murphy from West Washington High School in Campbellsburg, Indiana joins the class as a 6-foot-4 260lbs defensive end. Murphy has enrolled early and was ranked by 247Sports as the 6th best prospect in the state. The second late addition to the class was another lineman from the south. Jalen Mayala, a 6-foot-5, 230lbs defensive end, was ranked as the 45th defensive end per 247Sports. "Jalen is a very talented defensive player and we are excited to welcome him to IU. He's a long athlete and we are going to use him at defensive end. Jalen brings great athleticism and the ability to rush the passer,” Coach Allen said.
Indiana’s talented young secondary is getting more help with three defensive backs signed to the 2020 class. Bryson Bonds, a hard-hitting safety from Crowley High School in Texas joins IU as the 51st safety in the country per ESPN. Christopher Keys comes to Bloomington from Collins High School in Mississippi brings speed to the class. Keys was ranked as the 15th best prospect in Mississippi and a top-50 cornerback national per 247Sports. Lem Watley-Neely from Harper Woods High School near Detroit also brings some speed to the cornerback position. Watley-Neely stands 6-foot 175lbs and was ranked as the 24th best prospect in Michigan by ESPN.
The signal caller for this class is Dexter Williams from Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georiga. Williams is ranked by 247Sports as a top-25 dual-threat quarterback in the nation. Williams adds dynamic running ability to the quarterback room, and he has plenty of arm strength to develop into a Big Ten passer. Joining Williams in the backfield is running back Tim Baldwin Jr. from Patriot High School in Virginia. Baldwin Jr. was recognized as a top-20 prospect in his state and was among the top-40 running backs nationally per ESPN.
The two pass catchers in the 2020 class boast a combination of size and athleticism. At 6-foot-3, 200lbs, WR David Baker from Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis brings both. The versatile athlete played wide receiver, defensive back, played basketball and ran track and field. Baker is slotted as the fifth best prospect in Indiana per Rivals. Rashawn Williams from Martin Luther King High School near Detroit is the crown jewel of the 2020 class. Williams is a four-star recruit, top-40 wide receiver in the country, and the third best prospect in Michigan per Rivals. Williams comes to Bloomington as one of the highest rated recruits in school history.
Tight end AJ Barner was another big pick up – literally. Barner stands 6-foot-6, 225lbs. From Aurora High School in Ohio, Barner was ranked by 247Sports as a top-50 tight end in the country. The linebacker position is getting one new member in Ty Wise from Carmel High School. Wise is ranked as the seventh best prospect in Indiana and is a teammate of current IU defensive end Beau Robbins. Javon Swinton rounds out the class as an ATH from North Stafford High School in Virginia. The Hoosiers like Swinton’s fit at wide receiver best, so he’ll join that position group when he enrolls.
The 2020 class is not flashy, but it is more than solid. Of the 20 signees, nine players have enrolled early. Coach Allen and his staff continue their strong recruiting push both inside the state of Indiana and elsewhere. Depth up front was addressed with quantity and quality as were each of the skill positions. An emphasis on multi-sport athletes and versatility can also be found within this class. For perhaps the first time in school history, Indiana football is recruiting with some success behind their name. The first class following the Hoosiers’ eight-win season is a stellar one.