2017 National Signing Day Profile: Tyrese Fryfogle

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Tyrese Fryfogle, 6’2”, 206 pounds, Lucedale, MS (George County High School), WR, 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Stars

Indiana’s 2017 recruiting class was filled with mostly defensive prospects that had signed on to play for Tom Allen and continue the positive momentum built by the 2016 season. Once the Hoosiers named Mike DeBord as offensive coordinator and Grant Heard as the passing game coordinator and wide receiver coach, it seemed to be only a matter of time until IU started rounding out the class with some offensive playmakers. The first of those to commit during the run up to National Signing Day was Tyrese Fryfogle, an unranked wide receiver with a  close relationship with new WR coach Grant Heard. 

Fryfogle, re-classified as a three-star recruit, chose the Hoosiers over Idaho and Ole Miss and his 6’2” frame suggests he can develop into a strong target receiver for IU’s offense. Fryfolge doesn’t arrive in Bloomington with blazing speed (he ran a 4.56 40-yard dash) but he benched 235 pounds and has a 38-inch vertical and he had an impressive 89 catches for 1,430 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior at George County High School. 

Upon his commitment, Fryfogle posted to Twitter, “First and foremost, I would like to thank God for all the gifts and blessings he has delivered to me…I am now committed to Indiana University!” Fryfogle joins a deep receiving corps and it seems unlikely he’ll be asked to contribute on the field as a true freshman, thus giving him a redshirt year to develop. However, it is very possible that Simmie Cobbs and Nick Westbrook could be leaving IU after the 2017 season and entering the NFL Draft (if they both have strong seasons in 2017) and the Hoosiers would need new contributors to step up in their absence. Regardless of when he ends up being relied upon, Fryfogle has terrific size and new receivers coach Grant Heard clearly believes he’s capable of helping IU’s offense.