2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 7 Days Part I (DJ Matthews)

Written by: Zach Greene

Welcome, Hoosiers fans to the 2022 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! We countdown from 100 days to the beginning of the 2022 Indiana University football season on September 2nd against the Fighting Illini. Every day, we look at players on the current roster and highlight the players' roles in the upcoming season. Today we dive into Starting Wide Receiver DJ Matthews

Name: DJ Matthews (@2nineee)

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Position: Wide Receiver

Year: Graduate +

Height/Weight: 5-11/ 160  

A Florida State transfer, Matthews entered the Hoosiers program on December 16 of last year. He had a productive career with the Seminoles with 582 punt return yards, 89 receptions for 809 yards, and five touchdowns. He earned his degree from Florida State before moving to Bloomington.  

Last season was cut short for Matthews due to a knee injury that destroyed the Hoosier's offense. When Matthews was not on the field you could see the difference with the offense, but the time he had all the field was some of the best balls for him and the team. He had two 100+ yards games and was called on during the most critical moments.

This is Matthews's last season as a college player. He will be playing with a different fire under his belt due to this and the way his season ended last season. Expect big things out of the receiver. He will often line up in the slot and whoever is starting at Quarterback, there first progressions will often go to him. Matthews has looked healthy in fall camp and Head Coach Tom Allen expects him to be ready on September 2nd.

2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 19 Days Part II (Malachi Holt-Bennett)

Written by: Zach Greene

Welcome, Hoosiers fans to the 2022 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! We countdown from 100 days to the beginning of the 2022 Indiana University football season on September 2nd against the Fighting Illini. Every day, we look at players on the current roster and highlight the players' roles in the upcoming season. Today we dive into wideout Malachi Holt-Bennett.

Name: Malachi Holt-Bennett

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

Position: Wide Receiver

Year: Sophomore

Height/Weight: 6-3/188

Bennett going into this season is expected to have a large workout load ahead. Last season as a freshman, he appeared in multiple games, making one catch for a 29-yard touchdown. Bennett likes to lineup on the outside and uses his agility and speed to create dangerous plays. Out of Fairfield High Prep School Bennett was a fantastic athlete who played four different positions. The wideout, Running Back, Defensive Back, and Punter. In his senior season, he totaled 793 all-purpose yards and holds the record for special team’s touchdown returns.

 I expect Bennett to get a lot of reps at Punt Returner at Fall Camp. Players like Bennett are exactly the ones we need in this program. He is a versatile athlete who puts in a lot of work. With a deep Quarter back unit, the wideout group will greatly and Bennett will benefit greatly. Expect to hear his name a lot this season.