Top Five: Walk-on Players for the Hoosiers
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Gavin Everett (69) had a good last quarter of the 2017 season, he looks to build on that in 2018. Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Former Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson emphasized the Hoosiers’ walk-on program and tried to bring in as many talented players as possible to help his team out, current head coach Tom Allen will try and do the same. The Hoosiers have had some pretty high success with walk-on players recently. Players such as Mitchell Paige, Luke Timian and Ricky Brookins to name a few have become regulars in the IU lineup the last few years. Today, we will look at the five walk-on players that can make an impact on the 2018 season.
1. Justin Berry, WR- Berry is a redshirt sophomore and we have talked at length in the past about him becoming a sleeper at the wide receiver position. Berry has been buried behind stars like Nick Westbrook and Simmie Cobbs, but 2018 could be his year to break in to the rotation.
Berry, a six-foot, 198-pound wide receiver from South Carolina, passed up other Power Five offers to play at IU. Berry is a five-time Scout Team Player of the Week and appeared in three games on special teams last season. With the apparent lack of depth at wide receiver in spring practice, Berry should get his shot to make an impact.
2. Gavin Everett, DL- Everett transferred from Western Illinois after the 2015 season and had to sit out the 2016 season in Bloomington. Everett began to make an impact last season, appearing in nine games. The redshirt junior made seven tackles including half a sack and he forced a fumble. He is also a two-time Scout Team Player of the Week.
Everett could see his role expand in 2018 as the defensive line has seen turnover. Everett is a bit undersized at 255 pounds, but what he lacks in heft he makes up in heart and effort. Everett has earned the right to be in the discussion when people talk about the defensive line rotation.
3. David Felton, WR- This redshirt freshman is a really interesting prospect. Felton played quarterback at Harrison High School in Evansville, Ind where he was a three-sport athlete (football, track and basketball). While he will not be playing quarterback for IU, Felton has the tools, especially the speed to find his way into the rotation at receiver. At Harrison, Felton was an all-city and all-metro player who threw for 1,281 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for another 1,121 yards and 11 scores.
As I stated above, IU has a potential depth issue at wide receiver and Felton will have his shot to state his case to be in the rotation. He has good size at six-foot-two and 221 pounds but will need to show the ability to blow by defenders with his speed. Last season, the Hoosiers lacked the play maker who could take the top off the defense. With the return of Westbook, that option should be back in the IU offense. Felton could add depth with needed speed and size at the position.
4. Ahrod Lloyd, RB- Lloyd is an Indianapolis native and attended Park Tudor where he earned all-state honors, team MVP and set school records for rushing yards in a game (309) and a single-season (1,689). Lloyd also swam and played lacrosse at Park Tudor.
After joining the program as a walk-on last season, Lloyd was a four-time Scout Team Player of the Week. If Lloyd can bring the versatility he showed at Park Tutor (4,734 rushing yards, 1,006 receiving yards and 47 touchdowns), he could play his way into a running back rotation that has a lot to prove.
5. Owen Strieter, DB- Strieter had an outstanding high school career at Laporte H.S. he ended his time there as the all-time interceptions leader (14) and second all-time for tackles (276). He walked on to the IU program last fall and earned Scout Team Player of the Week twice.
During spring practice Strieter has been one of the players who has stood out as he has played his way onto the field with the third team defense with a couple of takeaways. While he may not going displace the top four at the position Strieter could be a valuable contributor on special teams and add depth to the defensive backfield.
The walk-on program emphasized by Wilson and continued by Allen doesn't always show up on the box score during the fall, but all of these players impact the team in one fashion or another. The hope is that these players are rewarded for their efforts on the practice field with playing time during the regular season.
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