Ty Fryfogle’s Journey Comes Full Circle in the Outback Bowl
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Ty Fryfogle (3) put up huge numbers in 2020 Image: Indiana University Athletics
Written by Alex Compton
Idaho had offered, as had Ole Miss football alumnus and wide receivers coach Grant Heard, who was trying to bring Lucedale, Mississippi native Ty Fryfogle to Oxford to play for Ole Miss, just as Ty’s father Trey had from 2000 – 2002. That likely would have happened, if not for Heard heading up to Bloomington to join recently hired Tom Allen’s staff at Indiana.
“I grew up watching Ole Miss a lot. My family supports Ole Miss, they like watching Ole Miss a lot. I’ve been to a couple games, and it’s nice out there.” Fryfogle said this week.
With an established group at receiver already in place in Bloomington, Heard had plenty to work with upon his arrival at IU, but deep down had a feeling that he needed to bring Fryfogle to Indiana – and away from the pull of his Ole Miss ties.
“You know, I knew he had the ability,” Heard said. “But, you know, where he comes from knowing his work ethic. There's something in him that I just really [knew I] was going to take him at Ole Miss before I left. And because of our relationship he followed me up here to Indiana and just because [of] the hard work he's put in, it's panned out for him, but I always thought he had the potential to be a very special player.”
After playing sparingly as a true freshman, Fryfogle really established himself as a Big Ten-caliber receiver during his next two seasons, catching a total of 74 passes and 6 touchdowns while showcasing his signature big play ability.
What happened next, despite all of the challenges 2020 threw at Fryfogle and his teammates off the field, shocked many nationally, in the conference, and even followers of the program.
Fryfogle, however? Not so much.
“I wouldn’t say I’m shocked, you know I feel like over these past four years I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at. Getting better each year, I feel like I’ve elevated my game, but I still have a long way to go.” Fryfogle said of his All-American selection.
Fryfogle went from choosing between Ole Miss and Idaho to becoming an All-American (Third Team, Associated Press) and the best receiver in the Big Ten after earning All-B1G honors, winning the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year award, and recording the only back-to-back 200-yard games in league history after totaling 34 catches for 687 yards and 7 touchdowns in seven regular season games for the Hoosiers.
“It’s a really big honor. You know I’m really thankful to receive this honor, it’s a blessing. I just want to finish this season off the right way with this football team and get the win.” Fryfogle stated.
Offensive Coordinator Nick Sheridan also has high expectations for Ty, and has called on Fryfogle to produce all season, which he certainly has.
“For Ty to get the Big Ten receiver of the year and All-American recognition, I think first and foremost it’s a credit to Ty.” Sheridan gushed. “I think the players always deserve the most credit because they’ve worked really hard and they’ve embraced their coaches and the coaching and have tried to work on the things the coaches try to help them with and he’s done a nice job and I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. I’m thrilled for Ty and I think he’s earned it and he’s had some incredible moments. I mean you’re talking, and you guys can correct me here, but he’s the only receiver in the history of the Big Ten to have back-to-back 200 yard receiving games. It’s pretty incredible, he did a great job.”
With so much to look back on in this journey from Lucedale, Mississippi and its population of just over 3,000 to becoming an undeniable star for Indiana, Fryfogle is trying to focus on the present and not think about what got him here, or what may be next for him in 2021, whether that is at Memorial Stadium or on Sundays.
The program’s word of the week is “FINISH”, an obvious nod to the lack of respect Indiana feels they have gotten all season from the College Football Playoff committee, falling short by a touchdown in Columbus, and letting a bowl win slip away last season.
“I mean we [have] talked, we have been reminded of that a lot this past week. We don’t just want to go to a bowl game, we want to win a bowl game, so you know we’re taking this game very seriously. One day at a time, getting better at practice.” Fryfogle said of the Outback Bowl
When Indiana takes the field to play Ole Miss in the Outback Bowl on January 2nd in Tampa, it will be hard for Ty Fryfogle to not think about the journey that took him from Mississippi to Indiana and the Big Ten, and then back to the South again against his childhood and his father’s team, especially since he almost ended up there himself.
“There’s a really good chance, because [Ole Miss] was one of the top teams I was going to go to, so it’s a really good possibility.” Fryfogle said.
For the relatively soft-spoken and even-keeled Fryfogle, he didn’t end his bowl game media press conference there. With a slight grin, he finished with one last statement. “But I like where I’m at now.”
Indiana takes on Ole Miss on January 2nd at 12:30 PM EST in Tampa, Florida. Stay tuned to our site for all the latest leading up to the game.