2021 IUFB Early Signing Day Recap: Offense
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The Indiana Hoosiers offense in 2021 could best be described as anemic or toothless or ineffective or like watching a fiery car crash play out in front of you. However you choose to describe it, the attack was a failure and changes had to be made prior to 2022 to try and turn things around. Tom Allen removed Nick Sheridan and hired Walt Bell as the new offensive coordinator. Indiana is bringing in players from high school, junior college and the transfer portal to fit Walt Bell’s system and get the attack fired back up.
Let’s begin by focusing on the three newest offensive linemen for the Indiana Hoosiers. This is a position that IU needs help in a big, big way and these three freshmen form the highest-rating group of linemen in recent memory.
Demon Moore – Offensive Line – 6’5”/315 pounds – Fort Wayne, IN – 88.48 on 247
The in-state prospect projects as an offensive guard that can be a force on the interior. He already has Big Ten size and is his biggest strength is run blocking. Moore committed to IU in July of 2021 and chose the Hoosiers over Purdue and Arizona State. This was a big recruiting win for Tom Allen and Darren Hiller. He plays with a mean streak and would best be described as a “mauler” in tight spaces. Moore is going to need to add some quickness and agility to help him pull as a guard, something Walt Bell really looks for in his interior linemen. It’s possible that Moore could see time as early as this coming season in short-yardage situations and he projects as a future starter at guard.
Carter Smith – Offensive Line – 6’5”/280 pounds – Powell, OH – 87.11 on 247
IU has not been able to get many high-caliber players from the talent-rich state of Ohio but they were able to land a first-team All-State prospect in Carter Smith. The 6’5” athlete starred at Olentangy Liberty and really came on strong at the back end of his high school career. The most intriguing part about Smith is his athleticism. In addition to playing tackle, he excelled as a volleyball player. The way he moves and explodes off the floor as a volleyball player is really impressive and shows really good footwork. Smith has what you want as a tackle and if he can continue to add strength, he could become a starting tackle for the Hoosiers. It seems likely he redshirts in 2022.
Bray Lynch – Offensive Line – 6’5”/280 pounds – Austin, TX – 85.52 on 247
The Hoosiers might have gotten a steal in the offensive lineman from powerhouse Westlake High School in Texas. At publication of this piece, Lynch is the starting left tackle for a team set to play in the state championship game in Texas. On a team with several other FBS linemen, the fact that Lynch starts at the most important position on the line is a noteworthy statement. Lynch is technically sound and built very well. He chose IU over Oklahoma State, Air Force and Duke and is a four-star prospect by another recruiting service. He has exceptional footwork and moves well. He needs more weight to compete in the Big Ten but his frame suggests that should not be an issue. I’d expect a redshirt year in 2022 but it is possible he develops quickly and sees action this coming season. Lynch should be a very good player and I do think Lynch and Smith are the tackles of the future for IU.
Moving just to the side of the offensive line, we’ll look at the pair of tight end signees in this class: Ryan Miller and Brody Foley
Ryan Miller – Tight End – 6’6”/215 pounds – Chagrin Falls, Ohio – 86.67 on 247
Another Ohio product, Ryan Miller is a tight end in the mold of current Hoosier AJ Barner. He is long and lean and much more adept as a receiver than as a blocker at this stage. He has good athleticism and decent speed and he projects as a tight end the Hoosiers will split out and use as a receiving threat, not necessarily one you’d use along the line as an extra blocker very often. How Walt Bell uses the tight end is going to be very interesting to watch and Miller will likely begin the season behind AJ Barner, at minimum. If he can add 15-20 pounds, he could compete for snaps with guys like Aaron Steinfeldt, James Bomba and Sam Daugstrup. Whether or not Matt Bjorson comes back for another season might have an impact on his time as well.
Brody Foley – Tight End – 6’6”/230 pounds – Cincinnati, Ohio – 90 on 247Sports
The Indiana Hoosiers have added another offensive player to their impressive 2022 recruiting class. 6’6” tight end Brody Foley has flipped his commitment from the University of Tennessee to Indiana University. Foley is from Cincinnati, Ohio and chose the Hoosiers over offers from Arkansas, Auburn and several other high-majors. He is rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports.
Foley is a very good athlete on both sides of the ball as he played tight end and defensive end, earning all-state offers in Ohio’s Division II. Prior to a growth spurt, Foley played running back and linebacker and he still has outstanding athleticism. He catches the ball well in traffic and displays good hands and route running ability. However, the most appealing part of his game right now is his ability as a blocker. Foley projects as a perfect H-Back/tight end in Walt Bell’s scheme. He is physical and seeks out contact and appears to play with the nasty streak you just cannot teach. Bell loves to use H-Backs in offset shotgun or pistol formations as extra blockers on outside stretch plays. His blocking could also be an asset in zone running plays or sweeps to the outside and his athleticism will open the ability for delayed screens to him out of those formations. With a bit more weight added before the season, Foley could be utilized in that role immediately and see a lot of playing time in 2022.
Brody Foley is the fourth top 20 from the state of Ohio to commit to IU in this class, a very good trend for the Hoosiers, and he joins fellow Ohioan and tight end Ryan Smith in coming to Bloomington.
Next up, a position that has flipped personnel and changed as much as any on the roster, Deland McCullough’s running backs:
Gi’Bran Payne – Running Back – 5’10”/190 pounds – Cincinnati, OH – 90.45 on 247
One of the early headliners of this recruiting class, Gi’Bran Payne’s commitment was a telling sign that Deland McCullough’s return to Indiana would have big recruiting implications for the Hoosiers. The four-star back chose the Hoosiers over offers from Cincinnati, Alabama, Boston College and several others. It’s likely he was not high on the Crimson Tide’s priority list but the interest from the powerhouse shows his talent level. Payne has good acceleration and top-end speed and talent evaluators believe he has the ability to turn into an NFL back by the time his college career is done. Payne is an all-around back that can catch the ball and hit big runs when given a crease. The biggest concern is injuries as he lost three games in his sophomore season and missed nearly the entirety of 2020 with an ankle injury. If he’s healthy for the 2022 season, he’ll have a role in the IU backfield.
Shaun Shivers – Running Back – 5’7”/189 pounds – transfer from Auburn – 90 on 247
Rated as one of the 20 best transfer players available, Shaun Shivers was a terrific get for the Indiana Hoosiers. Indiana needs explosion and speed on their offense. It is something that has been sorely lacking for a couple of seasons. The return of DJ Matthews at wide receiver should help and the addition of Shaun Shivers is a huge boost as well. Originally from Miami, Shivers spent four years at Auburn and was in the rotation each season. He totaled 1,020 yards and eight touchdowns on 201 carries. He also had 38 catches and was used as a kick returner for the Tigers. He has breakaway speed (in high school, he ran 10.29 in the 100m and 20.81 in the 200m) but his first step quickness should be a major weapon for Walt Bell to utilize. Shivers can be moved around in the offense and it should be particularly exciting to see him lined up in two-back sets. He’s likely not quite big enough to be a featured back but I’m sure the plan right now is to use him significantly this coming season.
Josh Henderson – Running Back – 6’0”/215 pounds – transfer from UNC – 85 on 247
A second transfer in, Josh Henderson arrives in Bloomington after two seasons with sporadic playing time in Chapel Hill. Coming out of high school in New Jersey, Henderson was the Prep Player of the Year in the Garden State and was ranked the 37th best back in the class. He was behind a pair of current NFL players at North Carolina and got 41 carries for 209 yards along with three receptions for ten yards. It’s hard to say what skillset Henderson brings to the table but the Hoosiers liked him enough to pursue him right when he became available and he has the size you want in a traditional feature back. The most appealing part of this transfer is that Henderson has three years of eligibility remaining. He should factor into the rotation in 2022. Taking a quick glance at the current projected running back room, he will likely be behind Shaun Shivers and battling David Holloman, Trent Howland, Charlie Spegal and Gi’Bran Payne for carries. I’d expect Shivers to get 15-20 total touches a game which still leaves plenty for the remainder of the ball carriers.
Jaylin Lucas – ATH/RB – 5’9”/175 pounds – New Orleans, LA – 85.92 on 247
A versatile athlete that can be moved all over the field, Lucas was a player the IU staff has been after for a long time. The speedster from Louisiana originally chose his hometown Tulane Green Wave over IU, Maryland, Florida State, Virginia and others but he decommitted from Tulane and signed with the Hoosiers. He can be used on jet sweeps, move out to the slot for pass catching, take handoffs in the backfield and used as a returner on kickoffs or punts. In short, IU will look to get the ball to Lucas and try to scheme space for him. He is another explosive player with great top-end speed added by IU in this class. Speed was something they had to bring in and they have absolutely done so.
Finally, we wrap up the offensive review with a look at the pass catchers. The quarterback and offensive line play drew all the attention but it’s very fair to say the wide receiver group was a huge disappointment as well with a failure to create separation and a whole lot of drops. A few players have departed that group but two newcomers (and hopefully a third in February) have been made as well.
Emery Simmons – Wide Receiver – 6’1”/195 pounds – transfer from UNC – 82 on 247
Emery Simmons actually committed to IU before ending up at North Carolina. He only appeared in 11 games and entered the portal on November 2. Simmons had only four receptions for 72 yards with one touchdown. With D.J. Matthews returning from his injury and slotting into the WR1 role, every spot after that should be up for grabs. Javon Swinton, Jacolby Hewitt, David Baker, Jaquez Smith and Malachi Holt-Bennett will join Simmons and Cam Camper (see below) in battling for those snaps.
Cameron Camper – Wide Receiver – 6’2”/190 – JUCO transfer from Trinity Valley C.C. – 85.31 on 247 (2nd ranked JUCO WR)
Camper committed to the Hoosiers on the eve of signing day and is expected to play in the 2022 wide receiver rotation. He decommitted from New Mexico on December 7, just days after visiting Bloomington. Camper had offers from several schools with good offenses (Liberty, Central Florida and Toledo chief among them). Originally from Lancaster, Texas, the wideout had 28 receptions for 505 receiving yards in 2021. I’d be lying if I told you I knew what kind of player IU was getting in the JUCO transfer but he does have three years of eligibility remaining and his Trinity Valley head coach told 247Sports the following:
“His best football is ahead of him,” Sherard Poteete said. “He was kind of a late bloomer coming out of high school and that’s the biggest reason why he’s here. He’s a great student. He graduated with a 3.5 GPA but just kind of a late bloomer when it comes to the physical attributes.”
The following player(s) chose not to sign today and will sign in February.
Omar Cooper – Wide Receiver – 6’1”/185 pounds – Indianapolis, IN – 89.78 on 247
Omar Cooper was a hard-fought recruiting win for Grant Heard and the Hoosiers. The Lawrence North product and former high school teammate of Donaven McCulley eventually chose the Hoosiers over West Virginia and Arkansas and he arrives in Bloomington with a chance to play early. Cooper won’t be the biggest receiver on the roster but he is big enough and does a really good job of making tough catches on contested balls. That’s something sorely needed for IU. He is a good athlete and good leaper with strong hands and while he’s not a blazer, he is plenty fast to create some separation and get himself open. Cooper told 247Sports Matt Weaver that he wants to have an in-depth discussion with Walt Bell about the IU offense and his place within it before he signs his National Letter of Intent.