Freshman TE Aaron Steinfeldt Will Lean on Upperclassmen While Adjusting to Big Ten Football
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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Incoming freshman tight end Aaron Steinfeldt played his high school football right up the road from Memorial Stadium at Bloomington North. Now, he is working out with the Hoosiers gearing up for his first season in cream and crimson.
The Indiana tight end room has three seniors in the 2021 class, which means Steinfeldt’s turn is right around the corner. The two-time all-state selection has the talent and frame to become a factor for the Hoosiers down the road, but right now he is leaning on his elders to show him the path.
“The tight ends in our room are just great overall dude” Steinfeldt said on Thursday during a Zoom call. “Every single one of them I've connected with. They just put me out into the wind. Guys like AJ (Barner), Matt Bjorson Peyton (Hendershot), Kham (Taylor), they have just done a great job in teaching me the basics, the fundamentals, I mean. The first couple weeks I'm just in their ear. I asked them what to do when it comes to plays and information and stuff like that, but like they've brought me along in the sense of they just put me under their wing and hold me accountable for my actions when it comes to like learning the playbook.”
The players that are showing Steinfeldt the ropes have been stellar for the Hoosiers as Peyton Hendershot and Matt Bjorson have played major roles in some of IU’s biggest wins over the last two seasons.
The transition from being a high school athlete to an Indiana Hoosier football player has not been as difficult for Steinfeldt as maybe some of the other incoming freshmen since he is from Bloomington and is very familiar with IU.
“I have been able to see the campus, so I think I am a step ahead because I am familiar with everything. I have seen what Indiana is all about behind the scenes and have been able to talk with coach Allen, coach Kevin Wright, and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan in person. It has been nice being from here because I can see where everything is at, what to eat, what not to eat, and get inside scoop on how to be an Indiana student-athlete. Before I was a kid who was just playing high school sports in Bloomington, but now I am an Indiana student-athlete, so I have been shown behind the scenes and how to prepare for the school year.” Steinfeldt said.
Steinfeldt will have a year to develop before he will be expected to step in for the departed seniors, whomever leaves, so right now all he has to do is focus on his development in the weight room and in practice.