Top Five: Indiana Players (Current) We Love To Watch
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Tom Allen has about a month until Spring Practice kicks off Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written By Alex Compton (@alexncompton)
These top five lists have been so much fun to go through in the offseason so far, and this list is no exception. The staff at Hoosier Huddle pooled together to come up with this one, and I think this is a pretty enjoyable list. What’s your top five? Drop it down in the comments and let’s see what everyone thinks!
1. Jacob Robinson
Jacob Robinson looks to anchor the D-Line in 2018 Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
While this may not be the most conventional pick here, Jacob Robinson is just really good at football. The hybrid defensive tackle had another great season as a junior last year, and looks to anchor a defensive line that should turn some heads nationally in 2018. Robinson really plays hard, and rarely quits on a play. Sound technique, good positioning, and just an overall level of grit make him one of my favorite Hoosiers, and it’s fun to watch that every Saturday. Mark Hagen has a great player in Robinson to build his young defensive line around, and it will be up to Robinson to set the tone early in the year for the young guys. He also has a strong desire to go bowling again, and that determination alone should provide for some more highlights this year. While he might not feature the sexiest play style, all Robinson does is produce, and that is an absolute joy to watch. Look for 91 in crimson this year to make some more noise.
2. Whop Philyor
Whop Philyor became a big weapon for IU as a freshman Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
His name is Whop. Based on that alone, he makes the list. Behind the name is a great player however, and one that is extremely exciting to watch. The speedy freshman slot receiver had a very successful first season as a Hoosier, and will be relied on more as a playmaker as he readies for his true sophomore season. A few things about whop that make him so fun to watch are his jump cuts, and his lateral quickness. Once he gets the ball in the open field he’s bound for a good jump cut or two, which generally help him shake of some would-be tacklers. He also loves to run across the field before going up it, and while that can drive some people nuts, you can’t deny that it makes him unpredictable and fun to watch. He will split snaps with Luke Timian in the slot this year, but will see the field tons during 4 and 5 receiver sets. He also figures to get some more jet sweeps and pitches this year, which will only add to the repertoire at his disposal. Whop is going to be a player for IU, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s super fun to watch either.
3. Morgan Ellison
Morgan Ellison led the Hoosiers in rushing as a true freshman Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Mix a steamboat with a puppy. Now give it a football. That is essentially rising sophomore Morgan Ellison. He constantly pushes forward, and has unrivaled energy with the ball. He runs guys over, cuts violently, and always falls forward. It’s a unique combination, but one that made his true freshman season a true joy to watch. Many recruiting analysts said that if he could stay healthy IU got an absolute steal, and that is evident now after year one. He absolutely loves being a Hoosier as well, which makes it so easy to root for him. The backfield looks to be in good hands moving forward, as Ellison will anchor a group featuring guys like Cole Gest, freshman Ronnie Walker, Ricky Brookins, and others. Ellison is probably my favorite guy to watch personally, but that’s just because I love running backs.
4. Haydon Whitehead
Haydon Whitehead became a weapon for IU in 2017 Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Yes, our punter makes the list! While you don’t like to see him run onto the field, you do have to like the results most of the time as he runs off of it. The left-footed freshman from Australia really helped flip the script on IU’s punting game last year, and should only get better with more game experience. He likes to roll out to his left a little bit which makes things a little too close for my liking, but the backspin he is able to generate as a result of that rollout makes his kicks super effective. He had never played in a football game before last season, so you’d have to imagine he only gets better from here. Great kickers are weapons, and that is why we love to watch Haydon Whitehead.
5. Jonathan Crawford
Jonathan Crawford has been a playmaker his first three seasons in Bloomington Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Jonathan Crawford might be one of the most underrated Indiana players in the last 10 years. The senior leader on the defense has played exceptional football since his true freshman season, and looks to cap his career off with a great year in 2018. He just always seems to be in the right spot at the right time, and you really can’t coach that. Tipped picks are his specialty, but he always seems to fall on loose balls, make a great open field tackle, and blow up a block for someone else to get in the backfield and make a big play. His partner on the backend Tony Fields has graduated, and Chase Dutra has as well. Crawford will not only have to anchor the defense, but he will have to bring along some young safeties alongside of him as well. Redshirt freshman and former four-star athlete Juwan Burgess looks to the the guy penciled in at free safety next to Crawford, but other guys will rotate in commonly during the season. Crawford has worked extremely hard since his first year to get to an All-B1G level, and he really started to show that in 2017. He was one of IU’s best, and more importantly, most consistent players during all 12 games, and that really makes a difference. Jonathan Crawford has one last ride in 2018. Let’s appreciate him while we can.
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