Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 39 Days (Kenny Arnold and Chris Gajcak)
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By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)
#39
It’s a double duty edition of the countdown. With the days trickling away there are now just 39 days left until Indiana takes on Ohio State on August 31st to open the season. Today we take a look at a pair of players who share the number 39, Kenny Arnold and Chris Gajcak.
Kenny Arnold (Redshirt Junior)
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: 235 pounds
Hometown: Canton, Michigan
Position: Linebacker
Similar to our last spot in the countdown, it’s difficult to predict if Kenny Arnold will be the one getting the time, but without a doubt somebody new will have to step up from the linebacker room this year. Arnold has seen action here and there over parts of the last two seasons. After being redshirted in 2014, Arnold has played in eighteen games over the last two seasons, mainly on special teams.
Originally from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep high school in Michigan, Arnold was a three-year football and two-year baseball letterwinner as well before taking his talents to Bloomington. With snaps up for grabs, Arnold will be competing with the likes of Thomas Allen, Mike McGinnins, Reakwon Jones and more. Frankly this is a very similar write up to yesterday’s, which means someone will have to do something to separate themselves from the pack.
Chris Gajcak (Redshirt Sophomore)
Height: 6’2’’
Weight: 190 pounds
Hometown: Lisle, Illinois
Position: Wide receiver
Walk-on success stories are nothing new at IU, especially at the wide receiver position. If you need proof just take a good, hard look at Mitchell Paige’s career. That should give Chris Gajcak reason to believe it is possible. Having said all that, this will be a difficult rotation to break into. IU will have arguably the best 1-2 combo in the Big Ten in Nick Westbrook and a now healthy Simmie Cobbs. After that there are several key role players returning like Luke Timian and Donavan Hale.
Gajcak came to Indiana as a walk-on in 2015. He redshirted that season, but immediately contributed in other ways and was named scout team player of the week twice. Hailing from Naperville North High School, Gajack was originally a running back and an accomplished one at that, earning unanimous first team-all conference running back.
After not seeing any game action in 2016 and Indiana sporting a number of skilled pass catchers, it’s doubtful we see much of Gajack on the field in 2017, but hey, they said the same thing about Mitchell Paige, so what do I know.
Please share any comments or thoughts in the comments section or in our message board. The countdown continues each and every day so make sure to check Hoosier Huddle daily as we roll towards the 2017 season!