State of the Room- IUFB Wide Receivers
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Image: Indiana University Athletics
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle
The wide receiver group that the Hoosiers went into 2021 with was supposed to be one of the best in the conference, but by the end of the year it was almost unrecognizable. This unit was a major disappointment in a season where there were plenty of disappointments. After losing D.J. Matthews for the season during the Western Kentucky game, this unit disappeared. However, the 2022 wide receiver room will look vastly different for the Hoosiers.
The Hoosiers also bring in Walt Bell as their offensive coordinator. His offense is based on the rushing attack and quick efficient passes. This should not impact the touches or opportunities that the wideouts get, but it could affect how they are deployed and used.
Departures
The Hoosiers lose a lot of familiar faces from the wide receiver room in 2022. Gone are Ty Fryfogle (NFL), Miles Marshall (transfer), Jacolby Hewitt (transfer), Cam Buckley (transfer), Da’shawn Brown (transfer) and Jordyn Williams (transfer). As a group last season those players combined for 79 catches, 890 yards and three touchdowns. Yes, the Hoosier wide receiver unit had just three touchdowns in 12 games last year, so maybe an overhaul was needed.
Returnees
The Hoosiers return some young, but unproven wide receivers in 2022. Javon Swinton came on nicely last year catching 15 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, one of just three wide receivers to catch a touchdown pass in 2021. Malachi Holt-Bennett got more playing time as the year went on. He played in eight games making one catch for 29 yards and a touchdown.
The Hoosiers will also return two major playmakers from injury in D.J. Matthews and David Ellis (we’ll put him at WR). Matthews explosiveness was a game changer and his injury clearly impacted the Hoosiers offense over the final eight games. He finished with 13 catches for 165 yards. Ellis was limited with an ankle injury that required surgery and his staying healthy for a full season is always a question. However, when he is healthy he can be a game breaker and can be used in many roles.
The Hoosiers also have some youngsters who have not seen the field returning. Redshirt sophomore David Baker has only played in one game so far and was dealing with an injury last season. Redshirt freshman Jaquez Smith had a good fall camp, but couldn’t find the field during the season. He is a former four-star recruit who could start to contribute sooner rather than later.
Newcomers
The Hoosiers revamped the wide receivers room with transfers and incoming freshmen. The Hoosiers brought in in-state four-star recruit Omar Cooper who played with Donaven McCulley at Lawrence North in Indianapolis. He is a terrific athlete with good hands and although he is not a burner, he can run good routes to get open. IU brought in speed as well with Kamryn Perry, a speedy receiver at five-foot-nine out of Georgia. He scored 20 touchdowns as a senior in 2021 and should help bring another dimension to the room.
On to the transfer portal, where the Hoosiers were busy as well. While IU lost five wide receivers to the transfer portal, they brought in two more in Emery Simmons and Cam Camper.
Camper comes from the junior college ranks where he made 29 catches for 505 yards and three scores for Trinity Valley C.C. He has the big play ability that IU was sorely lacking last season.
Simmons is a former IU commit and comes from UNC where he played in 30 games including 14 starts. Simmons made 30 catches for 516 yards and three touchdowns over those 30 games. He can use his six-foot-one frame to go get the ball in the air. He also brings veteran experience to a group that lost much of that in the offseason. Simmons will be in for spring practice as well.
Final Group Projections for 2022
10 Scholarship Wide Receivers
D.J. Matthews - Graduate
Emery Simmons- Senior
Cam Camper- Redshirt Junior
David Ellis- Redshirt Junior
Javon Swinton- Junior
David Baker- Redshirt Sophomore
Malachi Holt-Bennett- Sophomore
Jaquez Smith- Redshirt Freshman
Omar Cooper- Freshman
Kamryn Perry- Freshman