Countdown to Kickoff: 57 (Kyle Loechel and Tim Gardner)

Kyle Loechel and the Hoosiers salute the faithful after the spring. Image: Indystar.com

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

#57 Kyle Loechel and Tim Gardner

Happy Friday! Hopefully where ever you are in Hoosier Nation it is sunny and warm. Excitement for the 2015 season is starting the heat up as Big Ten Media Day details are coming up and we are just 57 days away from the first game. Today we have two players who are represented by the number 57, Kyle Loechel and Tim Gardner.

Kyle Loechel

A standout for Cathedral High School in Indianapolis in 2013 where he won all-state selection while leading the team to back-to-back state titles, Lochel walked on to the Hoosiers team and red shirted the 2014 season. 

Loechel is part of a walk-on program that head coach Kevin Wilson has emphasized as being a key cog in building a good program. The Indianapolis native should see time on the special teams units and will be a depth piece in the linebacking corps.

Tim Gardner

Gardner is another Indianapolis (Lawrence Central) native who has found his way down to Bloomington, although there were a few other stops on the way. After finishing at Lawrence Central, Gardner took a year at the Milford Academy (you can always tell a Milford man) where he played with current Hoosier sophomore tight end Jordan Fuchs. Gardner also played at Lawrence Central with current Hoosiers Wes Rogers and Alex Rodriguez.

Gardner had originally signed with Ohio State, but decided to take a prep school year before signing with IU.

He sat out the 2014 season due to the NCAA transfer rules and has four years of eligibility left. Gardner is looking at having a major role on the IU offensive line in 2015 as he started at right tackle in spring practice and could also be an option at guard in people need to be shuffled around.

The summer is whizzing along and we have every day covered with a new player or past IU football team, so make sure you check in with Hoosier Huddle daily to learn about this year's team members and get your college football fix.