IU Football Players Ready for Days Two and Three of the NFL Draft

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

After a hectic day one of the NFL Draft, we still have six rounds and two more days of action left to complete in Las Vegas. Round 1 saw seven players from the Big Ten drafted, five from the East and two from the West, and all of whom Indiana faced last season.

Indiana’s streak of consecutive years without a first-round draft pick was unfortunately extended to 29 years; only one other power five team has a worse streak in Iowa State, whose streak sits at 50 after Breece Hall fell out of the first-round last night.

However, this weekend Indiana will look to extend their streak to nine consecutive years in which they had a player drafted. Below are the players with the best chances to make that happen.

The Prospects

Micah McFadden

Indiana’s best chance to continue the streak comes in linebacker Micah McFadden. McFadden appeared in 45 career games with 31 starts as a Hoosier. As the heart and soul of the Indiana defense, he finished his career amassing 216 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, four interceptions, four pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He won Indiana’s Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player award at the end of last season.

In terms of how his game projects to the next level, McFadden’s biggest concern is his size. While on a smaller scale, he is receiving similar treatment as Nakobe Dean; Dean was clearly the most productive player on Georgia’s defense last year but is not receiving the same attention from the pros as many of his counterparts. McFadden is well built physically and has an extremely high motor, but his measurables put him below average and make NFL scouts wary of him. He is best known for his ability to read blocks and instinctively get into the soft spots of the offensive line for TFLs.

If his name is called, it will likely come on Day 3 (Rounds 5-7).

Ty Fryfogle

Ty Fryfogle enters the NFL Draft process in a year loaded with wide receiver talent. He will hope that his dominant 2020 season outshines what was an overall disappointing 2021. By the time his career was complete, he had appeared in 53 career games with 34 starts. He finished his career with 158 receptions for 2,231 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year in 2020 and won Indiana’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year award.

NFL Scouts’ concerns revolve mostly around Fryfogle’s 2021 season. He did not play with the same determination he did in 2020, and it showed not only in his duties as a pass catcher, but also in his blocking ability. He has not shown much value as a special teams player either. His strengths are his ability to fend off jump-ball participants and boxing out defenders.

Fryfogle, if his name is called, will hear it at the end of Day 3 or as an undrafted free agent.

Peyton Hendershot

The third guy with a shot to hear his name called is tight end Peyton Hendershot. Hendershot had a productive Indiana career, appearing in 48 career games with 43 starts. He finished his time with the Hoosiers with 136 receptions for 1,479 yards and 14 touchdowns. His strongest season also came in 2020, clearly benefiting from former offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer’s tight-end-centric system. Hendershot was the bright spot of Indiana’s struggling offense last season, ultimately being named First-Team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele and winning Indiana’s Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player award.

Hendershot’s competitiveness and demeanor stand out in both his route running and blocking, which scouts appreciate. The team captain and four-year starter also has a basketball background, which helps his footwork and athleticism. His concerns come in his breakaway speed and his February 2020 arrest raises character concerns.

The end of day 3 or as an undrafted free agent is Hendershot’s likely landing spot.

Ryder Anderson

Likely the last of Indiana’s players with a shot at hearing their name called through the draft process and not as an undrafted free agent is defensive end Ryder Anderson. After starting at Ole Miss, Anderson transferred to Indiana for his final season, ironically a few weeks after the Rebels defeated Indiana in the Outback Bowl. Anderson started all 12 games as a Hoosier, recording 48 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four QB hurries, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. He was named Indiana’s most outstanding lineman and earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.

Anderson is an interesting case from the pro perspective, because his frame would be very desirable, but he never had as much production as one would expect. He is long, has large hands, and has an NFL background: his uncle played in the NFL and his brother was drafted in 2019. However, he lacks explosiveness off the edge and could add mass to his frame.

Stephen Carr

Stephen Carr spent four years at USC before the former 5-star recruit transferred to Indiana for his final season. Having played in 35 games with the Trojans but only starting in 6, he was able to flash a bit more of his ability in his final season starting 9 games and rushing for 600 yards and 6 touchdowns on 155 carries. He was named IU’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

When the scouts look at Carr, they see a tale of two backs. At USC, Carr was primarily a slashing running back that worked in open space. At Indiana, he was much more of a between the tackles bruiser type. His size and frame make him a more natural fit at the latter, but his durability then comes into question, and he has not shown great vision as an interior runner.

Caleb Jones

Caleb Jones has exhausted eligibility and will try his luck in the pros. He appeared in 41 games for the Hoosiers and started 30 times, 25 at right tackle and 5 at left tackle.

Jones’ biggest asset is his size; at 6’8 and 362 pounds, he is a massive player that can be hard to move if he gets in front of you. He has long arms and can push defenders off their route of attack. Unfortunately for Caleb, he has never shown the consistent foot speed needed to play tackle in the NFL, often falling victim to more nimble pass rushers. If his fundamentals are improved, he could develop into a backup right tackle for a pro team.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball

While his athleticism will likely not result in him hearing his name called, whoever brings in Marcelino McCrary-Ball will be getting a freak athlete as an undrafted free agent. McCrary-Ball played in 53 games with Indiana, starting 40 times. In his career, he recorded 241 tackles, 17 pass break-ups, 16.5 tackles for loss, 10 QB hurries, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Scouts love McCrary-Ball’s toughness and athleticism. His NFL frame is apparent, and his speed will jump out on tape. He is a hard-hitting tackler with natural pursuit angles. However, he often struggles in coverage, resorting to grabbing and having penalties called. While he lays a hard blow, his finishing ability could improve.