Indiana Football Fall Camp Update: WR Vets Leading the Way in Camp

Luke Timian looks to have a big year Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Rylie Kyhn

Coming off a day long break, the Hoosiers looked well rested and ready to gear up for today’s practice. They kept it competitive as always between the offense and defense and the intensity seems to only increase from practice to practice. With a full pad scrimmage coming up this weekend, they are going to get a good look at every player and position and figure out where there is needed focus over the next few weeks leading up to kickoff in Miami.

A group that was a little short handed last year after losing three major contributors, the wide receivers are bouncing back nicely and they have impressed so far in fall camp, both the veterans and a few newcomers. Now that this group is all back and healthy, they have plenty of depth and they have the ability to put in work on this offense.

J-Shun Harris only saw the field offensively a couple times last season but was a crucial aspect of the special teams unit before suffering his third ACL tear. The coaches and players have repeatedly discussed how inspiring he is to everyone and how much respect the team has for him. He has emerged as one of the leaders this season, being a veteran in the group. Harris has been productive in the offense and turned quite a few heads as if he hasn’t missed a beat. He has incredible quickness and mobility and makes recovering from his third tear look effortless.

“You have J-Shun who has been through everything, he is awesome on the field, coming back from three ACLs, just to see him back out there is a great lift for me and for our group,” said wide receivers group coach Grant Heard, and that lift is visible on the field.

Harris isn’t the only veteran in the group, Nick Westbrook and Luke Timian have also seen a ton of field time offensively for the Hoosiers and they are also emerging as strong leaders.

“You have Luke who is a great leader. He is more vocal this year and leading by example. He wants to take every rep, I have to kick him out, which is great to have. Then you have Nick who is coming back from his ACL. He looks awesome. We are trying to get him back into the swing of things and getting comfortable on that knee,” says Heard.

Westbrook and Timian both have made a few plays in camp so far and continue to impress. Watching them, you can tell how much they both want to be out there and the passion they have for the game.

The wide receivers group is deep and they have a lot of talented players who will have an opportunity to see field time. When discussing the offensive unit and players who have turned heads, Tom Allen said “Nick Westbrook continues to make plays on offense. J-Shun Harris as well and Whop, those guys kind of jump out to me.”

After a number of injuries plagued this group last season, some of the younger players were forced to step up and Whop Philyor is someone they turned to and found that they could count on. Philyor became a key part of the Hoosier offense making 33 receptions for 335 yards and

scoring three touchdowns. Now as they enter the fall, he is faster and stronger than ever and his speed is an aspect of his game that the coaches have raved about. Philyor is a player that the coaches and the strength staff have highlighted a lot this off-season and he has the opportunity to do some serious work in the next couple months. He is going to be a huge threat for opponents and adds another dimension of speed to the passing game.

The coaches have talked a lot about this freshman class and how impressed they have been so far with their speed and development. One that Tom Allen has noted for this receiver group is Miles Marshall. Marshall is quick and he has good hands and he has stood out over the last couple practices. He caught a touchdown pass in practice on Wednesday and had the entire offense off the sideline and in the endzone.

This receiver group is deeper than it was last season and they are going to be able to rely on a bunch of different guys which is going to benefit the passing game and the entire offense this season.