2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 56 Days (Mike Katic)

Written by Zach Greene (@Zgreene650)

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown continues! The season is less than two months away, and fans cannot wait to see this team on the field. The Hoosiers will open their season in Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes on September 6th. Both teams have been working hard on and off the field and cannot wait to play in front of a packed stadium for the first time in two years! That said, we are profiling Offensive Lineman Mike Katic out of the Keystone State.

Mike Katic

Hometown: Gibsonia, PA.

Position: Offensive Line

Year: Redshirt Sophomore

Height/Weight: 6-4/312

A Redshirt Sophomore out of Gibsonia. PA. Katic started in four games last season and ended up in a total of six games. He had 294 snaps and made four starts, all coming at left guard for the Hoosiers. His first start was against Penn State. What a game to have your first start!

A three-star in the 2018 class, Katic decided to come to Indiana over offers from Akron, Army, and Ball State. In high school, Katic performed well, taking his team to the 2017 state championship, 2018 semifinals, and back-to-back conference titles. He earned 2018 All-USA Pennsylvania Team and was the No.16 ranked prospect in the state. Katic decided to come during the spring of 2019, and it made a big difference. He was able to get faster and added a bunch of weight. Although he did not play during the season, he earned scout team player of the week honors against Penn State and Michigan State.

This will be Katic’s third year in the program. Katic will start at guard this upcoming season next to a very experienced offensive line unit. With a departure on the o-line from Harry Crider, the rest of the crew will be returning this season. This will be crucial as pass blocking protection and communication will be vital in making sure Quarterback Michael Penix stays healthy this upcoming season. According to PFF, the unit ranked No.14 in the Big Ten in pass blocking and No.8 in run blocking. This will need to improve.

If this unit can create a clean, secure pocket for Penix, it will make the most significant difference. With the experience on this unit and the guys committed after seeing how their season has ended the past two years, don’t be surprised if we better job on this offensive line unit.