Countdown to Kickoff: 82 Days (Luke Timian and Logan Justus)
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Written By Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)
#82
There are now 82 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Currently, wide receiver Luke Timian and kicker Logan Justus are sporting the number 82 for the Hoosiers.
Luke Timian (Redshirt Sophomore)
-Height: 6’0”
-Weight: 185 pounds
-Hometown: Southlake, Texas
-Position: Wide Receiver
There were more than a few times during the 2015 season that an Indiana player made a big play that immediately elicited the response from Hoosier Nation, “Wait, who was that?” And twice that player was wide receiver Luke Timian, making two of the more memorable catches from last fall. You might still be a little puzzled, asking who he is and where did he come from? Well hopefully I can help clear up some of that confusion.
Timian played his prep ball at Southlake Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas, one of the premier high school football programs in America. As a senior Timian had 74 receptions for 1,192 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Dragons. Despite his success on the gridiron, the young wide receiver only had one scholarship offer coming out of Southlake Carroll, from Columbia. However, Timian believed he had the ability and talent to compete at the highest level and decided to walk-on at Oklahoma State.
In 2015 the Hoosiers and Cowboys effectively swapped players, as cornerback Michael Hunter Jr. headed to Stillwater as a graduate transfer and Timian made his way to Bloomington, walking on after taking a redshirt during his only season with Oklahoma State. He made a quick impression on his teammates, as his name was dropped by former quarterback Nate Sudfeld during preseason interviews. Sudfeld mentioned that Timian was looking good during summer workouts. However, it would be weeks into the season before Indiana fans got a proper introduction to Timian.
While his number was not called frequently on offense, only targeted twice, he did deliver in a big way when he had the opportunity. Take for instance in the must-win against Maryland. Trailing 21-17, Timian converted a critical third and five with a 24-yard reception, giving the Hoosiers a first and goal at the Terrapin eight. Indiana made their way into the endzone in three more plays, giving them a lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
And who could forget his touchdown catch against Duke in the Pinstripe Bowl? The Hoosiers offense got off to a slow start against the Blue Devils. It was not until midway through the second quarter did the Hoosiers finally breakthrough when Sudfeld connected with Timian for the 27-yard touchdown pass on a third and four. You might say Timian has a flair for the dramatic.
Timian has also had an opportunity to build a rapport with Hoosiers new Quarterback Richard Lagow. During the team’s annual Cream and Crimson game, Timian made a one-handed grab in the corner of the endzone courtesy of Lagow when the team was practicing red zone plays.
With as much talent the Hoosiers have returning at wide receiver this season, along some very skilled freshman arriving this month, it remains to be seen what kind of role Timian will have going forward, but he has proven to have some sure-hands and a tendency to make the big play when needed. With three years of eligibility remaining, I think there’s a pretty good chance you will hear his name again, and this time you won’t be asking, “Wait, who was that?”
Logan Justus (Redshirt Freshman)
-Height: 511”
-Weight: 185 pounds
-Hometown: McCordsville, Indiana
-Position: Kicker
Our final kicker on the countdown, as of now, comes to us by way of McCordsville, Indiana. He joined the Hoosiers last fall as a walk-on, but was redshirted during his first season in Bloomington. Much like Calob Meinzer, it seems quite unlikely that Justus will see the field this season, due to the return of All-Big Ten Kicker Griffin Oaks.
Justus performed both kicking and punting duties for Coach Doug Armstrong at Mt. Vernon High School. After a successful senior season Justus was named to the 2014 All-Hancock County Football Team and to the Hoosier Heritage All-Conference Team.
However, his exploits weren’t limited to the gridiron, as he saw action both inside the ice rink and on the soccer pitch. Coach Wilson frequently talks about bringing in players who are true athletes, with the ability to play multiple, different sports, and Justus certainly fits the bill.
When the National Camp Series rolled into Indianapolis, Justus impressed many of the coaches, placing second in both Upperclassman field goals and Upperclassman Punting. At the event he was 8 for 10 on field goals and had an average kick-off distance of nearly 63 yards.
The coaches in attendance spoke specifically about how he had improved and how coachable he was.
"Logan is a very solid kicker. Good pop on the ball. Showed very good height kicking off of the ground during charting and the field goal competition. Kicks off very well. Showed improvement at the NCS Indianapolis Championship Camp on 7/27/14. Has D1 potential. Great attitude and wants to learn and get better."
Again, while unlikely to see playing time this fall, barring some unforeseen event, Justus will still have a great opportunity to learn from the conference’s best kicker in Oakes, allowing him further time to develop and hone his skills and abilities.
Share any memories or recollections you have of Luke Timian and Logan Justus as players in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!