Spring Practice 2018 Positional Preview: Wide Receivers

Luke TImiam hauls in a touchdown pass against Maryland Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle

Written By Rylie Kyhn 

Throughout the 2017 season, injuries were a problem for the wide receiver group which lead to
adjustments in the passing game and forced young players to step up. When three experienced
receivers suffered season-ending injuries early in the season, the Hoosiers needed to find
production and consistency in the group that remained healthy. Redshirt junior J-Shun Harris II
and junior Nick Westbrook both suffered from season-ending ACL tears and junior Donavan
Hale suffered a season ending injury in the third game of the season. The Hoosiers worked a
number of players into the offense at the receiver position and worked to figure out the right
combination but it was something they seemed to struggle with all season.

One bright spot in the Hoosier offense at wide receiver was redshirt junior Simmie Cobbs.
Cobbs was the Hoosiers go-to receiver last season with his size, quickness and ability to catch
the ball, proving to be dependable and consistent. He stepped up and played a vital role on
offense, becoming the leading receiver with 12 catches for 841 yards and eight touchdowns.
Cobbs declared for the NFL draft in December, so as we enter spring ball and the 2018 season,
the Hoosiers will look for someone to fill the shoes and replace the big numbers that he put up
last season. With the three experienced receivers that were missed last season returning from
injuries, we can expect that the absence of Cobbs will be less prominent but still a void on the
offensive side of the ball.

Nick Westbrook

Westbrook was a vital player in Indiana’s offense during the 2016 season and a much
anticipated player to watch going into 2017, sadly he suffered a season ending injury on the first
play of the game in the season opener against Ohio State. We expect that he will come back
hungry after not even getting to play one full game for the Hoosiers last season. As a
sophomore he was one of the leading receivers. He caught 54 passes for 995 yards and six
touchdowns leading the team in yardage, touchdowns and yards per reception. During his
sophomore season he ranked second in the Big Ten in yardage and averaged 79.3 yards per
game. He had three 100-yard games and his first 100-yard reception game was on just three
catches scoring two touchdowns, one for 79 yards and the other for 49 yards. At 6’3’’, 215
pounds, he not only has the size but also the speed to be a dominant offensive weapon. This
coming season he will be a key player at the receiver position and will likely play a major role in
the Indiana offense.

Donavan Hale

Hale suffered a season ending injury in the third game of the 2017 season but not before
showing everyone what he was capable of. He made a great debut in the first few games of the
season and produced for the Hoosier offense. He caught seven passes for a total of 116 yards
and one touchdown. He had five catches for 67 yards in his first career start in the season
opener against Ohio State making it a career high. He also had two catches for 49 yards and a
32 yard touchdown in the Hoosier win over Virginia. For only appearing in 3 total games during

the 2017 season, he showed that he is capable of making plays and that he has the ability to
play a big role for the Hoosiers in the upcoming season.

J-Shun Harris II

Harris suffered his third season ending ACL tear during the 2017 season. Coming back from
one tear is not easy but he is now working to come back from a third. He has been working hard
in winter workouts to prepare himself for the season despite being set back by a third injury. We
saw more of him at punt return last season rather than wide receiver but he played a huge role
in the return game. Harris returned 14 punts last season for a total of 266 yards and two
touchdowns, ranking third in the Big Ten and eleventh nationally. He led the Big Ten in average
yards per return and ranked second nationally. As a receiver he caught three passes for 14
yards in 2017, but had a standout freshman season in 2014. The hope is Harris can return to form, but coming back from a third knee injury will be a very tall task.

Luke Timian

Timian stepped up and played a vital role after the injuries struck the position group early in the
season. He started all 12 games and was one of the leading wide receivers for the Hoosiers.
Second on the team in receiving yards behind Cobbs, ending the season with 68 receptions for
589 yards and two touchdowns. Timian is a walk-on that earned himself a scholarship for the
2017 season during pre-season camp and the numbers he produced last season demonstrated
that he was much deserving of the scholarship. He stepped up and showed his ability to catch
the ball and became a reliable, go-to receiver for the Hoosiers. He set a career high in the game
against Michigan with seven receptions for 95 yards. Not only did he play a role as a receiver, he
also returned 12 punts for 90 yards. We can look for him to produce offensively next season due
to the hard work, consistency, and reliability he has shown.

Whop Philyor

With three experienced receivers suffering from injury, the Hoosiers needed someone to step up
and become a receiver they could count on and that is exactly what they got out of the true
freshman last season. Philyor made a huge impact in the 2017 season. He stepped up when
the offense needed him and showed that he has the ability to compete at the level of play
needed. He demonstrated his reliability and consistency as a receiver with his ability to catch
the ball with his speed. Philyor made 33 catches for 335 yards and three touchdowns during his
freshman season and he ended averaging 30.5 yards per game with 10.2 yards per catch. He
put up these numbers as a true freshman so he will be a player to watch for in spring practice
and next season to see what he produces.

Ty Fryfogle

Fryfogle played as a true freshman during the 2017 season and saw action in eight games with
one reception for 13 yards. At 6’2’’, 205 pounds, he showed a bit last season in the games he
appeared that he is hard to take down and also incredibly athletic. We will look to see more of
these abilities during spring ball and the 2018 season.

Other Notables

There are a handful of other players with potential to see time on the field this season, including
three walk-ons with notable potential. Justin Berry, a redshirt freshman walk-on from
Pennsylvania, saw action in three games last season on special teams, 6’0’’, 195 pounds. We
got a glimpse of his abilities in the 2017 Cream and Crimson game in which he connected with
Peyton Ramsey on a few plays. He is fast and can catch the ball; both abilities that will give him
the opportunity to see field time next season.

Chris Gajca, is a redshirt sophomore walk-on. During the 2017 season he made his collegiate debut in the home opener against Ohio State and got his first career start against Wisconsin. At 6’2’’, 190 pounds he also has the ability to contribute to the Indiana offense and make plays. David Felton is a walk on that joined during pre-season camp and Jack Mora both redshirted the 2017 season so we will get to see what the two can do during spring practice.

Jacolby Hewit, an early signee that is at IU already participating in winter workouts and adjusting to the program in order to contribute and produce on offense. He was an all-state selection in 2017 as a senior, bringing in 54 catches for 1070 yards and 14 touchdowns. We can expect that he will get plenty of reps in spring ball and we will get the chance to see more of his abilities as it is in full swing.

There is a lot of talent and a variety of abilities at the wide receiver position. The Hoosiers will
look to bring back players from injury and replace an important receiver so we can expect
adjustments during spring ball and hopefully a more consistent starting lineup as the 2018
season nears.

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