Tight End Danny Friend Moving to Tackle to Bolster O-Line Depth

Danny Friend is moving to tackle. Image: 247Sports

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Redshirt senior Danny Friend has been one of the best blocking tight ends in Indiana history as he has helped pave the way for three 1,000-yard rushers over the last two seasons. Friend, who is coming off postseason surgery, will now be asked to help bolster an offensive line that needs some depth at the tackle position. Friend has been working with the offensive line over the last couple of practices this week.

Head coach Tom Allen spoke to this on Friday's media session, it's "just something we are trying to experiment with a little bit."

So why is IU's best blocking tight end moving? Allen had the answer, "(Friend) didn’t practice in the spring. He had a postseason surgery and is coming back from that so he isn’t quite where he was with his mobility."

Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and Allen both agreed that this was the best way Friend can help the team right now. "So we were talking about depth and where he could help us the most, so coach (Allen) called him in and in typical Danny Friend, he goes ‘Yes, however I can help this football team.” So that’s how he’s going to help us."

The Hoosiers have depth at tight end with Ian Thomas, Austin Dorris, Peyton Hendershot and Ryan Watercutter manning that position.