IU Linebacker Marcus Oliver Pens Letter to Hoosier Nation Declaring for NFL Draft

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Moments after Indiana running back Devine Redding declared for the NFL Draft, Hoosier linebacker Marcus Oliver announced on Twitter he too will enter the 2017 NFL Draft.

Oliver had a solid season during his freshman campaign in 2013 when he recorded 37 tackles in 11 games. His sophomore season was cut short due to a knee injury against Missouri in the Hoosiers' third game. He had 10 tackles through those the games. The Ohio native really burst on the scene in his redshirt sophomore year when he led IU in tackles with 112 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in 13 games.

This season Oliver and teammate Tegray Scales were one of the best linebacking duos in the Big Ten. Oliver played in all 12 regular season games, before missing the Foster Farms Bowl against Utah. He narrowly missed another 100-tackle season as he amassed 96 stops including 15.5 TFL's and five forced fumbles. Oliver earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention and his 12 career forced fumbles are a school record. 

Oliver penned the following letter to Hoosier Nation: 

To Hoosier Nation,
 
Growing up, my family and friends have been a big part of who I am today, from my mother going above and beyond to support me and my siblings, to my friends helping and encouraging me throughout the recruiting process.  When it came time for me to choose where I would continue my academic and football careers, it was very important that I found the place that continued the family atmosphere that my hometown community shared.

From the first time I stepped foot on campus as a recruit, to now as an experienced and seasoned Hoosier, I have felt nothing but love and support from my coaches, my teammates, the student body, the medical staff, academic staff, and strength staff. Within this community, we have been able to build something at Indiana for Hoosier Nation to be excited about. I will always take pride in what we have been able to accomplish.

It has been an honor and a privilege to play for and be a part of the Indiana Hoosier family. The relationships, friendships, and memories that were made over the last four years will forever be priceless, and the gift of being a part of this great community for the rest of my life will forever be a blessing and something I am thankful for. I would like to thank all of the faithful Hoosier fans that cheered us on throughout the years, and Coach Wilson, Coach Allen, and Coach Inge for coaching me to be the best. I am also indebted to all of my teammates who have pushed me to the brink in order to achieve our goals. To my athletic trainers, academic advisors, and strength coaches, thank you for giving me every opportunity to succeed personally, athletically, and professionally.

I've learned that playing college football is most importantly an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. I am ecstatic to continue this opportunity and declare myself eligible for the National Football League. I know that with the support of my Hoosier family I am destined to succeed. I am excited about this next step in my life and can't wait to see what the future holds for myself and for my Indiana teammates.
 
Thank you.

Marcus Oliver

As of publishing Indiana has Tegray Scales, Damion Willis, Raekwon Jones, Chris Covington, and will have Mike McGinnins, a JUCO transfer in for spring practice. Mo Burnam, a highly regarded recruit, will join the team this fall.