Countdown to Kickoff: 90 days (Joe Belden and Aaron Del Grosso)
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Written By: Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)
On this Sunday morning we sit just 90 days away from the beginning of the Hoosiers pivotal 2015 season. One player wearing number 90 for Indiana this fall is a member of the Hoosiers 2015 recruiting class, Joe Belden. The Avon native recently made his way down to Bloomington to begin his career with the Cream and Crimson. Another player who could potentially see action sporting the number this season is sophomore kicker Aaron Del Grosso.
Joe Belden
The talented defensive lineman committed to the Hoosiers last June prior to having an outstanding senior season for the Orioles, recording 62 total tackles, five sacks, three passes defensed, and was named to the 2014 AP Indiana All-State 6A Team. In addition to his impressive stats and accolades, Belden brings a great work ethic and high motor to Bloomington.
The opportunity to become a Hoosier was not something Belden took lightly, as he told HoosierHuddle in January, "I think it's a big deal because I was born a Hoosier, Belden said. "So I have always been an Indiana guy and just getting an opportunity to suit up for the Hoosiers on Saturdays is just a great, great honor for me and I am just ready to do it. I am really ready to get after it."
Future Outlook
Belden's determination and never quit attitude make him a great fit in the Big Ten, as he too acknowledges what he brings to the gridiron, "I'm not afraid to go out and compete. I am not the fastest, I am not the strongest, but I am not going to give up. You may knock me down, but I'll get right back up." While it will be a tall task for Belden to crack the depth chart along a veteran laden defensive line, Hoosier fans can rest assured that he'll definitely be a major contributor in the trenches in coming seasons once he's added some weight to his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame.
Aaron Del Grosso
The sophomore kicker from Hobart, Indiana began the 2014 season as the Hoosiers starting kicker. After going just 1 for 4 through the Hoosiers first three games, the team decided to give backup kicker Griffin Oakes an opportunity and he held onto the the position for the rest of the year. Now as the team enters summer workouts and eventually fall camps, Del Grosso will be fighting to earn his playing spot back from Oakes. While Oakes had a strong season, Coach Wilson will likely allow this position battle to play out all the way up until kickoff unless one of the candidates really works to set themselves apart from the crowd.
| Aaron Del Grosso - Kicker | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | RS Sophomore 5'10''/196 Hobart, In Hobart | FGM | FGA | Pct | Lng | XPM | XPA | OKA | OKR |
| 1 | 4 | 25 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | ||
| KO | Avg | TB | 1-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50+ | ||
| 14 | 57.4 | 6 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-0 |