2024 Indiana University Football Pro Day Notes
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Written by: Zach Greene and Evan Alvarez
On March 5th, scouts from across the NFL flew into Bloomington for Indiana’s Pro Day to evaluate the Hoosiers’ draft eligible stars from the 2023 season with hopes to get a good look at their strengths and weaknesses. These Pro Days are important, as we saw just last year Cam Jones performing well at the Pro Day and ending up winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. While no Super Bowl is guaranteed, these Hoosiers hope to follow in Cam’s footsteps in the future, and a strong Pro Day is a great way to get there.
We had boots on the ground in Bloomington, as Hoosier Huddle staff member Zach Greene took all the Pro Day events and festivities in to get you an inside scoop. Seven draft eligible players participated at Indiana’s Pro Day and showcased their skills. Let’s check out IU’s official recap video and then go through each one:
Andre Carter, DE:
Zach clocked DE Andre Carter in at 33 reps at the bench press, which would have been among the top scores in the entire NFL Combine. Andre’s strength was on full display during Indiana’s season, regularly earning the respect of multiple double teams from the opposing offensive lines.
Running the 40 yard dash, Carter came in at 4.78 seconds, which would be the top score amongst NFL Combine DT’s and a middle of the pack score amongst NFL Combine DE’s.
Before Indiana’s Pro Day, Carter’s draft projection varied significantly. After his strong - keyword strong - day this week, he very well could have vaulted himself into the conversation in Detroit on draft day.
DeQuece Carter, WR:
DeQuece came into Indiana as one of the most decorated transfers the Hoosiers have ever gotten as he became one of the greatest wide receivers ever for the University of Fordham Rams. With a crowded wide receiver room and the growth of Donaven McCulley, DeQuece was often in a rotation role.
Despite this, Carter is an extremely intelligent receiver and strong route runner. He is also reported to have run as fast as a 4.46 40 time per draftscout.com, which would put him right in the middle of the pack amongst NFL Combine participants.
If an NFL team is looking for an experienced leader at the wide receiver spot with very strong intangibles and hands, they don’t have to look any further than DeQuece Carter.
Aaron Casey, LB:
Aaron Casey is the most likely Hoosier to get selected in this year’s NFL Draft. We’ve written about his experience (https://shorturl.at/xFLX0) and draft projection (https://shorturl.at/dsCT3) extensively, so be sure to check out those articles for more on IU’s star linebacker.
Zach also interviewed Casey, who mentioned the following:
We asked how Casey would stay connected with IU, to which he commented, “The main way I will stay connected is through old teammates. Also following along on social media.”
When asked about what it would mean to be drafted, Casey said, “Getting my name called will be a full circle moment, there was a time where I didn’t know if I could make it this far. After putting in all the hard work and trusting the process, that would be a blessing.”
Zach also asked who Aaron thanks the most for his success. He replied, “The people I would thank most are God for blessing me with these opportunities, my older brother for competing with me at a young age, Coach Allen for teaching me how to be a better player and man, and also the older guys in the LB room in my early years at IU.”
Casey also gave a shout outk to the fans: “For the IUFB fans I want to say it’s been a pleasure, I’ve been shown a lot of love and the presence has been felt, thank you!!”
Josh Henderson, RB:
Josh Henderson transferred to IU from the University of North Carolina and instantly burst onto the scene. Henderson is a full representation of a complete, four-down back whose skills should easily translate to the next level. He is a strong back who can outmuscle opposing linebackers while also effortlessly shifting through tacklers. Josh also has the X & O’s experience to identify blitzers and confidently block them, giving QB’s that necessary extra second to make a decision.
Henderson was clocked at a 4.52 40 time by draftscout.com (putting him in the middle of the pack amongst NFL Combine RB participants) and will draw significant interest from NFL teams looking for an experienced, strong, and smart running back who can impact all phases of the offensive game.
Noah Pierre, DB:
Noah Pierre suffered an unfortunate injury during the 2023 season which kept him out of the remaining games, but that takes nothing away from the presence and impact he had on this Indiana Football program. Pierre is one of the best examples in recent memory of growing and developing over his years at Indiana, resulting in him becoming a regular impact starter and team captain on defense.
Pierre had many important responsibilities on the defense during his time as a Hoosier, balancing coverage, blitzing, and tackling assignments in his unique position. Pierre impressed coaches and fans, as he always played with incomparable effort and determination every single play. Pierre’s athleticism, versatility, strong work ethic, and knowledge of schemes will make him a valuable member of any NFL team in the future.
Christian Turner, RB:
Christian Turner was a beast at Indiana’s Pro Day. The Wake Forest (and formerly Michigan) transfer who spent one season in Bloomington benched 26 reps per Zach Greene’s count, which would be tied for 2nd amongst NFL Combine RB participants (tied with Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen and just one behind Michigan’s Blake Corum).
He was also timed at a 4.50 40 time per draftscout.com, which would be in the upper middle of the pack amongst NFL Combine RB participants. Turner’s athleticism alone should land him a spot on an NFL roster. Couple that with his experience on three high profile, Power 4 programs, and there’s not much else you can ask for in an NFL prospect.
Sean Wracher, LS:
Sean Wracher is maybe the most underrated player on Indiana’s roster, and has been for all five years he’s been a Hoosier. Why, you ask? Count ‘em: #1 ranked high school long snapper in his class, FIVE straight All-Big Ten selections by Phil Steele at long snapper during his time at IU, an honorable mention All-American, an Academic All-Big Ten member, a semi-finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award for the best long snapper in the country, and a starter at long snapper for all 57 games of his IU career.
In short, Sean is a stud, and long snappers are a necessary and hot commodity amongst NFL teams. Wracher’s pedigree, experience, and elite skills should translate well to earning a roster spot at the next level.
Pro days are important for a program. They establish and grow relationships with NFL scouts, provide legitimacy to the university, and give players more chances at impressing scouts with the goal of playing at the next level. New Head Coach Curt Cignetti will hold many more Pro Days over the years for the Indiana Hoosiers to get the most eyes possible in front of his players. Each year that passes, the Pro Day continues to show that it is must-watch material, and this year is no different.