Written by T.J. Inman

The Indiana Hoosiers have begun spring practice and with sky-high expectations around the program, Hoosier Huddle is previewing each position as IU prepares for the 2021 campaign. Today, we take a look at a deep position with some questions to answer. The hope is that Michael Penix will be back in time for the opener against Iowa but regardless of who is throwing the ball, the Indiana wide receivers will be expected to have a big year under position coach Grant Heard.

Ty Fryfogle – 6’2”/210 pounds – Senior

Let’s start with the unquestioned number one wide receiver for the Hoosiers, Ty Fryfogle. The senior from Mississippi returns to Indiana after a career-high 721 yards and seven touchdowns during the shortened season. Fryfogle will be a preseason All-American and he is capable of dominating games. The key for Fryfogle and for the Indiana offense will be keeping him consistent and engaged in the attack throughout the season. There was a tendency for Fryfogle to completely disappear from the game plan for long stretches and he is simply too good for that to happen in 2021.

Miles Marshall – 6’4”/212 pounds – Sophomore

After appearing in all thirteen games as a freshman and catching 16 passes in 2019, hopes were high for Marshall entering the 2020 campaign. While it was not a true “breakout” campaign, he did continue his progression and offered a glimpse of the receiver he is developing into. The sophomore was third on the team in receptions with 19 catches for 290 yards. He had a career-long 68-yard reception in the shootout at Ohio State and led the team in receiving on two occasions. The spot for starting wideout opposite of Fryfogle is wide open and Marshall is expected to be a serious contender for it.

Jacolby Hewitt – 6’1”/198 pounds – Sophomore

A torn ACL held him out of action in 2019 so 2020 was his debut season. He appeared in all eight games, catching five passes for 68 yards. Hewitt is perhaps best suited for a role in the slot because he is only 6’1” and this spring is extremely important for him to begin showing what he can do to the staff. He is fully healthy now and increased production is expected for the Tennessee product.

Javon Swinton – 6’2”/180 pounds – Freshman

Javon Swinton, a freshman from Georgia, flashed last season. He looked bigger and more physically ready to contribute than expected and appeared in all eight games in his first season in Bloomington. While he only caught four passes for 52 yards, there is a lot of anticipation about this player’s future and potential. It would not be a surprise to see his playing time increase substantially in 2021.

D.J. Matthews – 5’10”/153 pounds – Senior

The transfer from Florida State will be one of the more interesting players to watch as spring practice unfolds. Matthews sat out the 2020 season and committed to Bloomington during the season. He was a standout prospect for Trinity Christian High School in Jacksonville and played three seasons for the Florida State Seminoles. The speedster was a difference maker on special teams as a punt returner and he appeared in 35 games with 16 starts at wide receiver. The expectation is that he will step into the vacant role left by Whop Philyor. While I would not expect his usage rate to be as high as Philyor’s was in this offense, the expectation should be 50+ receptions with some explosive plays throughout the season.

Da’Shaun Brown – 6’2”/180 pounds – Freshman

Brown redshirted the 2019 season after a standout high school career in Wisconsin. He played in wins against Rutgers and Michigan before being lost for the remainder of the season during the victory over the Wolverines. This will be an important season for Brown to show he has a place in the wide receiver rotation. At 6’2”, he is built very similarly to a guy like Javon Swinton but the stock for Swinton would be considered much higher at the moment.

David Baker – 6’3”/195 pounds – Freshman

Baker was a terrific wide receiver for Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis before coming to Bloomington. He played in the victory over Maryland in 2020 and will be hoping to use this spring to show the coaches he can earn some targets in 2021. Baker is 6’3”, making him one of the taller targets for the Hoosiers.

Gary Cooper – 6’2”/213 pounds – Freshman

Cooper made the switch from tight end prior to this spring session beginning. He caught a pair of passes in 2019 and played in six games last season with no receptions. He’s an interesting puzzle piece because of his 6’2” frame. While he does not have the top-end speed you look for in an outside wide receiver, he could be a real matchup problem for defenses if used as a bigger inside threat.

Jordyn Williams – 6’1”/184 pounds – Freshman

A four-star prospect from Georgia by way of Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill, Texas, Williams enrolled early and is participating in spring practice. It’s a tall order to break into this rotation as an early-enrollee but there is no doubt that Williams has talent. As a senior in Texas, he caught 50 passes for a whopping 1,466 yards with ten touchdowns. He begins the campaign behind several other players but it would not be shocking to see him work his way into the rotation by the time the season kicks off.

Luke Shayotovich – 5’8”/165 pounds – Sophomore

Shayotovich is entering his fourth year in the program and he has appeared in five games total. He was a two-time all-state player for Avon High School and a high school teammate of Sampson James.

Christian Harris – 6’3”/176 pounds – Junior

Harris is entering his third season with the Hoosiers after playing for the College of DuPage in Illinois. He played in five games on special teams in 2020.

McCall Ray – 5’11”/192 pounds – Freshman

McCall Ray was a letterwinner in football, basketball and baseball for Bedford North Lawrence, a high school near Bloomington. He redshirted the 2019 season and did not play during the 2020 season.

The Huddle

Indiana Football Spring Wide Receiver Position Preview

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