The Huddle is Hoosier Huddle’s home base for all of the latest Indiana Football News.
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Indiana Hoosiers had an interesting year on special teams. When they were on their game, this unit was one of the best in the conference. However, when it did not go their way, the wheels fell off.
Read MoreWritten by Evan Orris
We are 10-percent of the way through the countdown to Indiana’s season opener at Iowa. Today we look at kickoff specialist Jared Smolar. He was been a weapon on kickoffs and should be again in 2021.
Read MoreWritten by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Hoosier Huddle Spring Practice Preview series continues as we take a look at Indiana’s special teams unit. It’s a unit that had some very strong parts as well as areas for improvement in 2020 and will have to replace punter Haydon Whitehead. The Hoosiers finished the year 25th in net field position rankings and fifth in field goal efficiency according to Footballoutsiders.com. However, the Hoosiers ranked 86th in kickoff return efficiency. The Hoosiers do have the majority of their special teamers back in 2021, so let’s take a look at the group heading into spring practice.
Read MoreWritten by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Hoosiers received another decision on a player returning for the 2021 season as kickoff special Jared Smolar will be back with IU for the 2021 season.
Read MoreWritten by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Special teams was an area where Indiana needed to upgrade after the 2019 season when multiple gaffs lead to painful losses. The Hoosiers have had a solid punter in Haydon Whitehead and place kicking had been steady with Griffin Oakes and Logan Justus until he fell apart in the last two games missing four field goals and a crucial extra point. Where the Hoosiers struggled at was in the kick and punt return department as well as just an overall coaching overhaul. This need was highlighted when Tennessee took advantage of poor communication and players out of position to execute an onside kick that helped the Volunteers steal a victory.
Read MoreWritten by Andrew Walker
Name: Jared Smolar
Position: K
Year/Hometown: Redshirt Senior from Valparaiso, IN
Height: 5-11
Weight: 217 pounds
Read MoreWritten by: Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Hoosier Huddle continues their 2019 review of the Indiana football season with a closer look at how the special teams unit performed.
Read MoreWritten by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The 2018 Indiana Hoosiers special teams unit had its highs (J-Shun Harris and Logan Justus) and lows (kickoff coverage and kick return). In 2019, the Hoosiers need to have a more consistent performance on special teams if they want to be playing football in December. They have the pieces to do so, but the execution has to be there. Here is what Indiana’s special teams will probably look like in 2019.
Read MoreWritten by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The 2019 Countdown to Kickoff is seeing its last day in the 90’s! We are moving right along and the two Hoosiers we are focusing on today are kicker Jared Smolar and defensive lineman Connor Schneider.
Read MoreHeight: 5’11”
Weight: 214 pounds
Hometown: Valparaiso, IN (Valparaiso High School)
Class/Position: Redshirt Sophomore/Kicker
#90- Kayton Samuels
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 305 pounds
Hometown: Ellenwood, GA (Arabia Mountain High School)
Class/Position: Grad Transfer SR/DL
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