Written by Nathan Comp
Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 69 Days (Gavin Everett)
#69
The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff has begun. A day under 10 weeks remains until the Hoosiers kickoff the 2018 season on the road against Florida International University. Today we will highlight number 69, Gavin Everett.
Gavin Everett (Redshirt Junior)
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 256 Pounds
Hometown: Greenwood, IN
Position: Defensive Line
Gavin Everett is an in-state player who transferred into the Hoosier program as a walk-on from Western Illinois in the spring of 2016. Everett saw no playing time in his one year at Western Illinois, but after sitting out the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules, was able to make an impact on the field last season for IU. Everett appeared in nine games and recorded 7 tackles. His best game came in the last of the 2017 season, on the road in the Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue, in which he recorded two tackles and forced a fumble.
Everett attended Center Grove High School and despite serving as a team captain, earning all-state accolades, and being selected to the Indianapolis Star Super Team, was not highly touted as a recruit. At 255 pounds, up 35 from when he was in high school, he is a bit undersized for a strong side defensive end. Everett accepted Western Illinois’ scholarship offer, one of his few, but after being told he would have to redshirt and seeing no playing time, decided to try and walk on at Indiana. Being doubted in his abilities and size has only made him stronger and work harder; Everett fully embraces the ideal walk on attitude. During this year’s spring practices, Everett found himself taking first-team reps. Coach Allen mentioned how he had stood out to him after practices saying, “Mainly, Gavin is just a hard-nosed kid who works his tail off. He’s made himself a player. He’s tough, smart, and that’s something you can’t put a price on…he’s just so coachable. That’s one reason why he’s in the position he’s in right now.”*
Everett has two seasons remaining with the Indiana program and hopes to build upon the strong showings he had in the final games of the 2017 season. He hopes his heart, effort, and willingness to outwork will earn him starting time.
*Quotes from The Daily Journal, Franklin, IN daily newspaper.*
