Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 43 Days (Sam Slusher)

Written by: Amanda Pavelka (@amandapavelka3)

The 2020 Hoosier Huddle Countdown is on the downhill slide as we quickly approach the season’s scheduled kickoff. With 43 days until the Hoosiers are set to face the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, we feature the guy who will wear the cream and crimson No. 43 jersey— Sam Slusher.

Name – Sam Slusher

Position – Defensive Back

Hometown – Greensburg, Indiana (Greensburg)

Height – 6’0”

Weight – 205 pounds

An honor-winning, record-setting high school multi-sport athletic career was not the end for Sam Slusher, as he was accepted to the Indiana football program as a walk-on in 2017. He was the perfect walk-on candidate—a three-year Football letterwinner, Slusher earned honorable-mention all-state, all-region and all-conference as a linebacker at Greensburg High School. His senior season, he totaled 93 tackles, nine TFL’s and four sacks. To this day, he holds the program record for the 40-yard dash and pro agility test.

Slusher redshirted his freshman year and earned scout team player of the week in the Hoosiers’ 41-0 shutout of Rutgers. Slusher suited up for his college debut against Ball State in 2018. He took the field for three games, and made a tackle on special teams. His work to prepare the Hoosiers for their opponents earned him a total of four scout team player of the week honors and defensive scout team player of the year.

In a team meeting during fall camp last year, Tom Allen surprised Slusher with a scholarship for his hard work and dedication to the IU football program. The honor of holding a football scholarship at Indiana lit a spark for the Greensburg native in his sophomore year. He contributed on special teams in 11 games and was once again awarded scout team player of the week for Ball State, Penn State, and Purdue matchups. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, it was no surprise when Slusher was named IU’s Outstanding Walk-On Player of the year.

As a redshirt junior, Slusher’s role is expected to be the same— as a contributor on special teams and what doing what he does best—prepping the Hoosiers for battle in 2020.