Written by Matt Smith

IU’s wide receivers coach Grant Heard spoke to the media on Tuesday morning and talked about the different things that the Hoosiers’ receiving core has been working on throughout spring practices.

Ty Fryfogle decided to use the extra year of eligibility and play one more season under head coach Tom Allen and Heard. Fryfogle has been working on many different things in the offseason as he plans on going to the next level following this year.

“He needs to continue to understand coverages, how people are trying to play him, and work on his weaknesses. He will get with Coach Aaron Wellman to get a little faster and more sudden. He has to keep developing with catching 50/50 balls,” said Heard. “He had a lot of opportunities last year and he made a lot. But in my mind, I want him to make more of them. That is the challenge for him. But, being able to move around, do some different things, and be used in a little bit of a different ways with the skillset he has to offer, and allow him to use it.”

IU also brought in two new wide receivers to the program in Florida State transfer D.J. Matthews and freshman Jordyn Williams. According to Heard these two receivers have been learning the system and learning about Heard’s coaching tactics throughout the spring.

“They are out there learning and battling every day. Just like everyone else, they are out there trying to get better and trying to see how they can help this team win,” said Heard.

Heard was impressed with Matthews' work ethic from day one.

“He came in from being day one, and the attention to detail that he had, on stuff that he had never done with us before was pretty impressive and that showed me a lot,” said Heard.

Miles Marshall is one of the receivers looking to gain a bigger role with the team this year after Whop Philyor decided to pursue the NFL. Heard spoke very highly of Marshall during the press conference, as he has come into this new role.

“He has a complete understanding of what we are trying to do. I feel really good about that part. For him, we are trying to get him to play more physical and let people feel his presence out there on the field with his blocking and 50/50 ball,” said Heard.. “We are trying to get him to be a true vocal leader in that room because he has been there and played a lot of ball. He is one of the veterans of that room. That is my challenge for him. Every day is an opportunity for him to go out there and get better.”

One player that stuck out to Heard so far in spring ball has been Sophomore McCall Ray.

“He was busting his butt, He has been a very pleasant surprise with the work he has put in to wear he is now, he’s almost a whole different person,” said Heard.

With Jack Tuttle being the only healthy scholarship quarterback, IU’s wide receiving core will continue to improve during the Spring and be ready to catch the ball from whoever is throwing it according to Heard.

The Huddle

IU’s Receiving Core looks to improve on many different aspects in Spring Practice

Hoosier Huddle