Countdown to 2018 IUFB Kickoff: 35 Days (Nile Sykes and Jack Moran)

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 35 Days (Nile Sykes and Jack Moran)

Nile Sykes (Redshirt Senior)

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 252 Pounds

Hometown: Oak Park, IL (Montini Catholic)

Position: Defensive Line

Nile Sykes came to Indiana via transfer from Notre Dame prior to the 2014 season. He was an outstanding linebacker for Montini Catholic and had a stellar senior season making 80 tackles, 22 TFLs and 12 sacks. After his transfer to Indiana, Sykes redshirted the 2014 season and was named Scout Team Player of the Week twice (Missouri and Purdue).

Sykes would get his feet wet as a redshirt freshman in 2015 appearing in 11 games, mostly on special teams, and made five tackles. Sykes would have a break out year in 2016 when he became the Hoosiers best edge rusher. He played in all 13 games including one start. He 18 solo tackles, had five sacks and seven tackles for loss.

Heading into the 2017 season, expectations were sky-high for Sykes, but his season was over before it started after suffering an injury before fall camp started.

Sykes is back healthy and ready to resume his IU career. He gives a rather young defensive line a veteran playmaker and should be able to reclaim the starting defensive end spot should he stay healthy. His production should go up with the increased playing time.

Jack Moran (Redshirt Freshman)

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 195 Pounds

Hometown: Northfield, IL (Loyola Academy)

Position: Wide Receiver

Moran walked on to the IU program during the 2017 season after helping lead Loyola Academy to a 27-1 record, including a state title, in his two varsity football seasons. He redshirted his freshman season and contributed well on the scout team, earning Scout Team Player of the Week twice.

Moran will probably not see the field in 2018 either, but having a player from a winning program contribute on the scout team is very important in creating a winning culture for IU football.