Countdown to Kickoff: 21 Days (Andrew Wilson)

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Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Two more weekends (including this one) until the hitting starts for real in college stadiums across the country. We are all excited for the Labor Day weekend, but hope that Hoosier Nation is enjoying the remainder of their summer. As we hit the three-week milestone, we are going to once again double up on current Hoosier players as both Andrew Wilson and Ty Smith will don the number 21 this fall.

#21

Andrew Wilson

  • Ht/Wt: 5-11, 215 lbs.
  • Position: RB
  • Year: RS Junior
  • Hometown: Columbus, Ind.

Wilson was a standout running back at Columbus East High School for head coach Bob Gaddis. He ran for 1,830 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior. He was named Associated Press and Indiana Football Coaches Association all-state as a senior.

The stocky running back redshirted his freshman season in Bloomington after joining the squad as a walk-on in preseason camp. He earned scout team player of the week (Ohio State) in 2012.

Wilson finally saw the field during his redshirt freshman season. He appeared in three games and carried the ball eight times for 45 yards and a score. His efforts earned hi co-Offensive Scout Player of the Year.

In 2014 Wilson played in four games on special teams and won scout team player of the week once in week one.

Andrew Wilson was rewarded for his efforts in January of 2015 with a scholarship from head coach Kevin Wilson.

Wilson had this to say to, The Republic, a local Columbus, Ind. paper about his reward. “Coach Wilson had mentioned it when we got back (from Christmas break) that there would be scholarship opportunities, so I thought there was a pretty good chance,” Andrew Wilson said. “Then, he announced it a week later. More than anything, hard work pays off.”

Wilson will be a part of a stable of running backs for IU that could run five or six deep, so playing time may be limited. However, Wilson looks to be a major contributor on special teams. 

Ty Smith

  • Ht/Wt: 5-10, 195 lbs.
  • Position: Defensive Back
  • Year:  RS Sophomore
  • Hometown: Bloomington, Ind.

Ty Smith, the son of former IU baseball coach Tracy, walked on to the IU football program after winning Monroe County player of the year in 2012 at Bloomington North High School, where he has the record for most career all-purpose yards. 

Smith redshirted his freshman season and did not see any game action in 2014. He should be in play for some duty on special teams and in the secondary in 2015.