Countdown to Kickoff: 85 Days (Ryan Watercutter)

Written By Alex Compton (@alexncompton)

#85

There are now 85 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! This time around, it is Ryan Watercutter’s turn!

Ryan Watercutter

-Height: 6’2”
-Weight: 227 pounds
-Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
-Position: Tight End

While there are many ways to become a great team in today’s world of college football, there is always one similarity between those teams that are ultimately determined to be great. That similarity? Depth. If Indiana wants to continue to its ascent towards becoming great, it will need more players like Ryan Watercutter at every position.

Although he has not seen any game action so far in two years at IU, Watercutter has certainly been a valuable contributor to this point. After walking on and redshirting in 2014, the former bandit who wore 46 for the Hoosiers last season had a great year on the scout team in 2015. Due to his outstanding performance and preparation throughout the season, Watercutter was named the scout team player of the week twice. These honors came during the weeks against Western Kentucky and Maryland, which just so happened to be 2 of the 6 IUFB wins last year. 

The position change from Bandit to Tight End may not seem like a big deal, but what it does is add another big, athletic body to a typically thin position group for Indiana. Watercutter will have his work cut out for him to see time at tight end this season, as Jordan Fuchs, Danny Friend, Ian Thomas and Austin Dorris are expected to combine to make a very solid group. While Watercutter may not be catching many passes, it wouldn’t shock me to see him as a reserve blocking tight end or a gunner on special teams. He is a really athletic guy who understands how to play the game, and there is always a spot for those types of guys on the field. In high school at Bishop Dwenger, he was a three-time all-conference selection, two-time all-state selection, and is the schools all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards. With a big frame and soft hands, Watercutter adds depth to a position that desperately needs it. 

Ryan Watercutter may not see the field as a tight end in 2016, but he doesn’t have to in order to be a valuable player. He provides depth. If the Hoosiers want to be great, that is what they need more of. 

Share any memories or expectations you have of Ryan Watercutter as a player in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!