2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 3 Days Part I (Ty Fryfogle)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2021 Countdown to Kickoff is almost over. Yes, we are just the point total equivalent of one Charles Campbell field goal away from the Indiana Hoosiers beginning the 2021 season with a clash against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Today’s countdown features two of the best players on this year’s squad: Ty Fryfogle and Tiawan Mullen.

Name: Ty Fryfogle

Hometown: Lucedale, Mississippi (George County High School)

Position: Wide Receiver

Year: Senior

Height/Weight: 6’2”/205 pounds

The best wide receiver for the Indiana Hoosiers might just be the best wide receiver in the Big Ten. Ty Fryfogle gave the IU offense a major boost when he decided to take advantage of his extra year of eligibility and return for the 2021 season. Fryfogle came to IU after being named first-team all-state in Mississippi and he played in eight games as a true freshman in 2017. As a sophomore, his role increased and he caught 29 passes for 381 yards, emerging as a consistent playmaker. His junior season featured a breakout performance at Nebraska and he caught 45 passes for 604 yards, helping IU to the Gator Bowl. Fryfogle entered 2020 as the unquestioned number one wideout but he needed to emerge as someone capable of carrying that mantle. Fryfogle answered any questions with a resounding campaign that earned him All-American honors (the first IU wideout since 2007). He had 721 yards with seven touchdowns and was a deep play threat for both Michael Penix and Jack Tuttle. Fryfogle was the first receiver in Big Ten history to record back-to-back 200-yard games and he scored in four straight contests. The opportunity was there for Fryfogle to enter the NFL but he opted to come back for one more go-around in Bloomington.

“We have Ty Fryfogle back,” Michael Penix told the media after a fall camp practice. “He is a great thing for us on the offensive side of the ball. Ty is going to make plays all the time, it is good to have those weapons out there.”

Fryfogle is the anchor of a very talented and deep wide receiver room. He’s joined by incoming transfers Camron Buckley and D.J. Matthews, incoming freshmen like Jordyn Williams and Jaquez Smith and a number of returning contributors. The likely wideouts to flank Fryfogle in getting snaps in the season opener are probably Matthews, Buckley, Jacolby Hewitt, Miles Marshall and Javon Swinton. Jaquez Smith, Jordyn Williams, David Baker and Da’Shaun Brown are talented enough to work their way into the rotation as well. With a full and healthy season, Fryfogle has a chance to move into the top ten in most wide receiver statistical categories in IU history. He could cement himself as one of the best wideouts to ever suit up for the Indiana Hoosiers.