Allen and Staff Putting Final Touches on 2021 Recruiting Class
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Image: Sarah Miller, Hoosier Huddle
Written by Nathan Comp
After the Big Ten announced its decision that the fall season was postponed until the spring, attention for Indiana football fans switched to recruiting. They were quickly entertained. Just four days after the postponement, 4-star receiver and second highest rated recruit in Indiana history Jaquez Smith picked the Hoosiers over offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, and numerous other elite college football programs.
But now, 2021 recruiting may be in its final stages.
The Hoosiers knew the 2021 class was going to be smaller than the past couple years. The staff expects minimal turnover due to graduation and NFL Draft departure after the 2020 season. With Smith already being the fourteenth commit in this class and the added uncertainty revolving around seniors being granted an extra year of eligibility, the class is likely close to complete.
“It’s definitely a smaller class since I’ve been here. We knew that going in,” said Coach Tom Allen via Zoom teleconference on Thursday. “But our class is pretty close to being full at this point.”
The main target still on the board is MJ Daniels, a four-star athlete that was formerly committed to Ole Miss. Daniels is the cousin of current wide receiver Ty Fryfogle. He projects as a defensive back at the collegiate level. However, Daniels did not include IU is his top 4 on Saturday afternoon.
“Still focusing on a couple key spots. Offensive line is an area of focus, defensive line, and still could see another defensive back,” Allen added.
Additionally, “You’re always looking for a playmaker on offense,” he said.
But while those final pieces fall into place, Allen and his staff now can only hope that being a member of a conference that will not play this fall will not harm recruiting long term.
“Does it affect the 2021 season? As long as we can keep it contained to the 2020 year so that the 2021 class that goes with this year of recruiting, I see that not being affected as much. Obviously, it’s not going to help.”
The NCAA expects to rule on an extra year of eligibility for seniors affected by the coronavirus pandemic soon, a similar ruling that was seen in the spring of 2020 for athletes affected during their seasons. For now, Indiana will just have to focus on filling their final spots in another strong recruiting class.