2019 Pro Day Preview: Eight Additional Former Hoosiers will Participate at IU Pro Day

Written by Evan McShane (@Hoosier_Huddle)

A total of 12 Hoosiers will be working out for NFL scouts on Tuesday morning in Bloomington. We have previews the three Hoosiers who were invited to the NFL Combine (Jonathan Crawford, Dan Godsil and Brandon Knight) in addition to Wes Martin earlier. here are the addition eight former IU football players who are chasing their dreams to the next level.

Delroy Baker Jr. 

Delroy Baker began his college football career in Bloominton back in 2014. Coming from Ocala, Florida, Baker redshirted his first season. Baker made his first and only appearance in 2015 as a redshirt freshman. The following season, Baker played in nine games at right tackle, providing the Hoosiers with some much needed depth. Baker really rounded into form as an upperclassman. He played in ten games as a junior, seeing time at both right guard and right tackle. On four occasions, Baker started at right tackle. He helped the Hoosiers propel themselves toward the 35th best passing offense in the country and third in the Big Ten.

Baker’s final season was his best. He played in all 12 games at both tackle and guard. In a monsoon game against Virginia, Baker and his fellow linemen earned offensive player of the week honors. Baker graduated in 2017 with a psychology degree. For now, Delroy will try to make a career out of professional football. The Hoosiers will miss his steady presence on the offensive line. 

Ricky Brookins Jr. 

Brookins compiled a memorable career at Indiana University. The small running back from Terre Haute North High School joined the football program at IU as a walk-on in 2014. Brookins redshirted before earning a scholarship the following season. In 2015, Brookins had a 40-yard run against Purdue in an Old Oaken Bucket victory. As a sophomore, he played in all 13 games. Brookins made an impact on special teams and saw time in the backfield and in the passing game. As a junior he played in every game, scored a touchdown, and posted a career-high with 12 rushing attempts in the Foster Farms Bowl.

As a senior Brookins continued to provide support on special teams, he caught seven passes, and was a factor in the return game. Brookins rushed for over 200 yards throughout his career. He caught thirty passes and accumulated nearly 300 yards on kick returns. Brookins was a versatile contributor for the Hoosiers. IU fans will be rooting for him at the next level.  

J-Shun Harris III 

Perhaps no player has had amore up and down football career than J-Shun Harris III. Harris has overcome the unthinkable. Coming to Bloomington from Fishers, Indiana, J-Shun was a special player. As a freshman, he caught 18 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Harris also showed impressive skills as a return man. He was IU’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year and an honorable mention for BTN.com’s All-Freshman team. Harris then suffered an ACL injury during the summer of 2015 and was forced to miss all of next season. Unfathomably, Harris tore the same ACL the next season during preseason camp.

Harris battled his way back from two ACLs and looked as good as ever before his junior season. Harris returned a punt for a touchdown in back-to-back games, one for 70 yards and one for 44. Harris unfortunately tore his ACL for the third time during the eighth game of the season against Maryland. At the time of his injury, Harris looked to be one of the best kick returners in the country and a dynamic receiver.

Miraculously, Harris fought back after his third knee surgery and played in all 12 games his senior season. Harris returned 16 punts for 147 yards including an 86 yard touchdown against Ball State. He caught 37 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns. Harris will be remembered by Hoosier fans for his remarkable perseverance. J-Shun he easily one of the most electric football players to ever wear an IU uniform. Indiana fans will be lucky to find a player as exciting and easy to root for as J-Shun Harris III

Nick Linder 

Nick Linder transferred to Indiana from Miami for his senior season. At Indiana, Linder started eight times and played in all twelve games at center. Linder’s addition to the Hoosiers provided a massive boost to offensive line depth. Linder played a major role in keeping guys fresh and ensuring IU’s offensive line rotation was healthier than in year’s past. His brother Brandon is the starting center for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nick will hope to follow in his brother’s footsteps. The first step for Linder begins at IU’s Pro Day.

Mike Majette

Mike Majette, a speedster from Woodbridge, Virginia, came to Bloomington as a member of the 2015 recruiting class. Majette played in the backfield and contributed in the passing game throughout his entire Hoosier career. As a freshman, Majette rushed for 181 yards on 37 carries while catching five passes and returning several kicks. He proved his versatility early on and continued to do so as a sophomore. He ran for 180 yards on 39 attempts and caught seven passes before losing the rest of his season to injury. Majette fought back, although he never was 100% during his junior season. He again missed time due to injury.

Thankfully, Majette was able to get back to near-100% by his senior season. Majette played in all 12 games, catching 21 passes for 97 yards. He caught a touchdown against Florida International and was a two-time special teams player of the week. Majette’s straight line speed is impressive. He will need to use it to shine during Pro Day. 

Nile Sykes 

Nile Sykes first came to Bloomington in 2014 from Oak Park, Illinois. After redshirting his first year on campus, Sykes appeared in all 11 games as a freshman. He played primarily on special teams, making five tackles. As a sophomore Sykes played in all 13 games, collecting 18 solo tackles, five sacks, seven tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury abbreviated Sykes’ career at Indiana. He missed his entire junior season.

Although a return wasn’t certain, Sykes made a fantastic comeback. He worked his way back to the football field an appeared in all 12 games during his senior season. He recorded 26 tackles, 15 of which were solo, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Sykes graduated in May of 2018 from SPEA with a degree in management. Now he’s ready to use the momentum he built during his final season and carry it into Pro Day. Sykes hopes to impress scouts and begin a career in pro football. The Hoosiers will miss his pass rushing abilities. Hopefully IU can find their next Nile Sykes.    

Luke Timian

Luke Timian was a key transfer for the Hoosiers who compiled an impressive career following a redshirt season at Oklahoma State. As a redshirt freshman at IU, Timian played in a few games and recorded his first career touchdown in the Pinstripe Bowl. As a sophomore Timian caught 19 passes and played in every game. He was named IU’s Outstanding Walk-On Player of the Year. The next season he earned himself a scholarship. Timian finished second on the team with 68 receptions (3rd in the Big Ten and 39th nationally). His mark of 68 receptions is sixth most among Indiana’s single season records. Timian finished his 2017 campaign with an honorable mention for All-Big Ten.

Timian’s senior season was equally as successful. He was productive enough to earn recognition as a Burlsworth Trophy nominee and saw his name on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List. Timian led the team with 46 receptions. From transfer to walk-on to team leader in receptions. Luke Timian’s story is a remarkable one. Timian finished his career ninth on the Indiana program’s career receptions list with 135. Timian will now try to make a career for himself in the NFL. He will look to find a niche as a slot receiver. Hoosier fans will always remember Timian’s emergence from unknown. Now it’s time to cheer Timian on in the pros.  

Dameon Willis Jr. 

Dameon Willis Jr. began his career with the Hoosiers in 2014. He came to Bloomington from Cleveland, Ohio where he went to Saint Ignatius High School. Willis redshirted his first season and earned scout team player of the week three times. Poised to contribute, Willis played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman. He tallied 16 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. As a sophomore, Willis provided key depth, collecting 22 tackles and making his first start in the Foster Farms Bowl.

As an upperclassman, Willis ramped up his production. As a senior, he totaled 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and four tackles for loss. The linebacker broke out during his final year of college football. Now he heads into Indiana’s Pro Day, where Willis will try to stand out for the scouts. Having earned his media degree in 2018, Willis is ready to focus on football. Hoosier fans will be rooting for him to succeed at Pro Day and beyond.