Indiana's 2017 Receivers Could be It's Deepest and Most Talented Group Ever

Written By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)

Indiana’s best receiver went down in his first game of the season in 2016. Indiana had the second best passing offense in the Big Ten in 2016. Those two sentences look odd next to each other, but it’s true. Despite losing Simmie Cobbs to an ankle injury for the season on the opening series of an early season game with Ball State, Indiana was able to put together a very formidable receiving core. Nick Westbrook was able to step out of the shadow of Cobbs for a big season, going for nearly 1,000 yards after being used sparingly in 2015. Complimentary receivers like Mitchell Paige and Luke Timian proved to be consistent targets all season long for Richard Lagow as well. With a now healthy Cobbs and young talent waiting in the wings, the Indiana receiving core has a chance to be one of the best in the Big Ten, but will also have the tall task of replacing the production of Paige and Ricky Jones.

Potential Starters

Simmie Cobbs

Unfortunately for Simmie Cobbs, his season was over before it even started last year. He was suspended for the opener against FIU and then suffered an ankle injury on Indiana’s first possession in the second game against Ball State that cost him the rest of the season. After taking a medical redshirt, Cobbs is back and if he’s back to what he is in 2015, he’ll be wreaking havoc across the Big Ten.

After catching only seven passes his freshman year Cobbs exploded onto the scene as a sophomore in 2015. Cobbs reeled in 60 passes, good enough for eighth in the Big Ten. The Illinois native eclipsed 1,000 yards, just the sixth Hoosier to ever accomplish the feat. Cobbs proved he could be a deep threat as well with an average of over 17 yards per catch, all of this was good enough to earn him honorable mention All-Big Ten.

At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Cobbs is a big target and someone who knows how to use his size. With another elite receiver alongside him in Westbrook defenses won't be able to just zone in on Cobbs and throw double teams his way all the time. If Cobbs can become a bit more sure handed than he was in 2015, he’ll be in the discussion for the Big Ten’s best receiver.

Nick Westbrook

College football is a next man up type of game and Westbrook exemplified that to the nth degree last season. Almost as soon as Cobbs went down during the Ball State game, Westbrook took the bull by the horns. Westbrook hauled in a 43 yard TD in the first quarter and then topped that with a 79 yard score in the third. He finished the game with three catches for 133 yards and the two touchdowns, already more yards and TD’s he had all of his freshman season in 2015.

Westbrook would go onto be Lagow’s most dangerous target in 2016 and finished the season with 54 catches and 995 yards. Another big target, Westbrook uses a dangerous combination of strength and speed to take advantage of defenses. Similar to Cobbs, defenses will be scrambling to figure out how to defend a dangerous 6-3 target with a 6-4 one on the field at the same time. It’s worth mentioning thought that Westbrook won’t have the luxury of sneaking up on team’s anymore after earning honorable mention All-Big Ten and finishing second in the Big Ten in yardage. It’s tough to say who’s Batman and who’s Robin between Cobbs and Westbrook, but they’re both pretty darn super (pun intended, sue me).

Luke Timian

If you need proof of Luke Timian’s progress just watch this recent video from IU Athletics: http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2017/8/19/football-timian-watercutter-earn-scholarships.aspx

Just a few months after being named IU’s Outstanding Walk-On Player of the Year, Timian is no longer a walk-on. A big slot receiver, Timian came along nicely as a sophomore in 2016 and helped fill the void that Simmie Cobbs left after the injury. After catching just two passes for 51 yards in 2015, last season Timian hauled in 19 catches for 277 yards and a touchdown. With Mitchell Paige out of the picture Timian will see more snaps and with so much attention given to the combo of Cobbs and Westbrook, Timian will draw less attention from defenses and likely get some more production because of it. Not to mention Westbrook and Cobbs are used as deep threats often so Timian will be find himself as a good option on intermediate routes and may be something of a safety blanket at times for Richard Lagow.

Key Depth

Donavan Hale

Another lengthy target, Hale has proven to be a headache for defenders in the past, granted in short spurts. Last season he accounted for 13 catches, 210 yards and one touchdown. He’s also helped out on special teams including a fumble recovery in the Foster Farms Bowl.

Hale has excellent athleticism and is by far the most experienced of the number twos. Between his help on special teams and the fact that he was a high school quarterback, don’t be surprised if new offensive coordinator Mike DeBord finds some creative ways to use the junior in 2017.

Taysir Mack

At this point you should be noticing a theme and that’s big receivers. Taysir Mack is no exception to that rule. The 6-2 redshirt freshman was an excellent high school player at Grand Street Campus High. In 2015 he was first team all-state selection as well as the All-Brooklyn Plater of the Year as his team went undefeated on their way to winning a city championship. With his size and skill set, Mack should learn a lot from being behind Cobbs and Westbrook and could make an impact when given chances this season.

Isaac James

Isaac James played quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive back at Carmel High School and last year IU put his versatility to use. James lined up at wide receiver some, but more often found himself on the field helping with special teams. James was even good enough to earn IU special teams player of the week for the game against Rutgers. With Mitchell Paige gone and Luke Timian likely taking a starting role, there are still snaps up for grabs to be had and James could get a piece of the pie.

J-Shun Harris II

J-Shun Harris showed tremendous potential his freshman year and got Indiana fans excited about just how good he could become. Sadly his freshman season is the last time anyone has seen Harris on the field. Harris caught 18 passes, two touchdowns and proved dangerous in the kick return game averaging over 20 yards a return in 2014. Since then Harris has had two season-ending ACL injuries one in the Summer of 2015 and the other last year during preseason camp. It’s difficult to say how someone will come back from that both mentally and physically, but if healthy Harris can be a steady contributor and give the IU special teams the punch in the arm it needs.  

Others in the Mix

Phil Benker

Indiana having similar players to their starters waiting in the wings is a good thing. Benker stands at a tall 6-2, right around the heights of both Westbrook and Cobbs. A redshirt freshman, Benker was scout team player of the week once last season. After the starting group and Donavan Hale there aren’t many players who have earned guaranteed consistent snaps yet and Benker will have a chance to compete for some of the available time on the field.

Chris Gajcak

Another player who will be pining for time in the reserve roles, Chris Gajcak was a three-time scout team player of the week in the last two seasons. A 2015 walk-on, Gajcak will look to follow in the footsteps of Mitchell Paige as he looks for time on the turf.

Ty Fryfogle

Another tall target, Fryfogle flew under the radar as a 3-star recruit. At 6-2, Fryfogle posses great speed, running a 4.56 40-yard dash. Despite being unranked, Fryfogle possesses great intangibles and is someone to keep an eye on for the future.

Jonah Morris

Coming off a a redshirt season during his first year in Bloomington, Jonah Morris brings a ton to the table. The 6-4 receiver is originally from Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio where he had an impressive career. He earned All-America honors from Max Preps in addition to being named player of the year by the Akron Beacon Journal. It’s difficult to say who will emerge from the pack of young players, but they all have potential to compete for snaps in 2018 and beyond.  

Sleeper

De’Angelo “Whop” Philyor

It will be hard for a true freshman to break into Indiana’s stellar wide receiver rotation, but if there is one who’s able to it might just be De’Angelo “Whop” Philyor. A 5-11 freshman from Florida, Philyor played wide receiver, running back and defensive back at Plant High School in Tampa.

A speed demon, Philyor’s 40-yard dash was an impressive sub-4.4. Philyor is a versatile threat that caught nearly 100 passes and went for 22 touchdowns his senior season between the air and the ground. Philyor’s impact will be felt in Bloomington at one point or another and if the chips fall the right way it could be sooner than later.

Outlook

Indiana has a chance to have a special group of wide receivers in 2017. They have arguably the best 1-2 combo in the conference in Westbrook and Cobbs and have good depth with Hale and Timian. Not to mention some talented and athletic young guns waiting in the wings eager to replace Mitchell Paige and Ricky Jones.

Of course a wide receiver group is only as good as it’s quarterback though. Richard Lagow has a solid arm and will be able to sling it down the field, it’s just a matter of accuracy and limiting the turnovers this year after throwing 17 interceptions a season ago. With the size of these receivers Lagow doesn’t need to do anything special, he just needs to give them a chance. If he can do that, this is going to be a dominant and exciting group to watch every single Saturday.