Difference Makers on Roster

[IndyIUFan66]

Unlike the Pro's where basically every player in leagues was an all All-American or All Conference player. In college, special talent can make a big difference for a team. (See Rondale Moore @ PU)

I reviewed ONLY CURRENT ROSTER on campus NOW for spring ball, for "Difference Makers" next season &/or beyond. I only chose players with real size, speed, big potential or who've shown proven talent on the field already.

To me, this is a strong group of 23 that could be a foundation in place to build a long term winning program around starting next year and then beyond! AFTER selecting them, it worked out to 11 Offense, 10 Defense. 2 S/T You be judge: Areas of Strength? Needs? Thoughts?

6 Hale, Donavan WR 6-4 225 5th Largo, Fla.
15 Westbrook, Nick WR 6-3 216 5th Lake Mary, Fla.
94 Whitehead, Haydon P 6-2 212 5th Melbourne, Australia
54 Cronk, Coy OL 6-5 321 Sr. Lafayette, Ind.

42 Ball, Marcelino DB 6-0 219 R-Jr. Roswell, Ga
98 Johnson, Jerome DL 6-3 294 R-Jr. Bassfield, Miss
22 Philyor, Whop WR 5-11 172 Jr. Tampa, Fla.

31 Fitzgerald, Bryant DB 6-0 206 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
77 Jones, Caleb OL 6-8 360 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
86 Hendershot, Peyton TE 6-4 256 R-So. North Salem, Ind.
93 Harris, Juan DL 6-3 350 R-So. Chicago, Ill.
2 Taylor, Reese ATH 5-11 183 So. Indianapolis, Ind.
6 Head Jr., James DL 6-5 264 So. Miami, Fla
16 Johnson, Jamar DB 6-1 200 So. Sarasota, Fla
21 Scott, Stevie RB 6-2 233 So. Syracuse, N.Y
23 Williams, Jaylin DB 6-0 180 So. Memphis, Tenn
25 Matthews, Devon DB 6-2 205 So. Jacksonville, Fla
34 Jones, Cam DB 6-3 218 So. Memphis, Tenn.

93 Campbell, Charles K 5-9 176 R-Fr. Jackson, Tenn
66 Rafferty, Aidan OL 6-6 315 R-Fr. Kensington, Md.
9 Penix Jr., Michael QB 6-3 202 R-Fr. Tampa, Fla
24 James, Sampson RB 6-1 212 Fr. Avon, Ind
76 Bedford, Matthew OL 6-6 284 Fr.

*Did NOT include any of incoming FR class not yet at IU.

 

[Indianaftw]

Unlike the Pro's where basically every player in leagues was an all All-American or All Conference player. In college, special talent can make a big difference for a team. (See Rondale Moore @ PU)

I reviewed ONLY CURRENT ROSTER on campus NOW for spring ball, for "Difference Makers" next season &/or beyond. I only chose players with real size, speed, big potential or who've shown proven talent on the field already.

To me, this is a strong group of 23 that could be a foundation in place to build a long term winning program around starting next year and then beyond! AFTER selecting them, it worked out to 11 Offense, 10 Defense. 2 S/T You be judge: Areas of Strength? Needs? Thoughts?

6 Hale, Donavan WR 6-4 225 5th Largo, Fla.
15 Westbrook, Nick WR 6-3 216 5th Lake Mary, Fla.
94 Whitehead, Haydon P 6-2 212 5th Melbourne, Australia
54 Cronk, Coy OL 6-5 321 Sr. Lafayette, Ind.

42 Ball, Marcelino DB 6-0 219 R-Jr. Roswell, Ga
98 Johnson, Jerome DL 6-3 294 R-Jr. Bassfield, Miss
22 Philyor, Whop WR 5-11 172 Jr. Tampa, Fla.

31 Fitzgerald, Bryant DB 6-0 206 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
77 Jones, Caleb OL 6-8 360 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
86 Hendershot, Peyton TE 6-4 256 R-So. North Salem, Ind.
93 Harris, Juan DL 6-3 350 R-So. Chicago, Ill.
2 Taylor, Reese ATH 5-11 183 So. Indianapolis, Ind.
6 Head Jr., James DL 6-5 264 So. Miami, Fla
16 Johnson, Jamar DB 6-1 200 So. Sarasota, Fla
21 Scott, Stevie RB 6-2 233 So. Syracuse, N.Y
23 Williams, Jaylin DB 6-0 180 So. Memphis, Tenn
25 Matthews, Devon DB 6-2 205 So. Jacksonville, Fla
34 Jones, Cam DB 6-3 218 So. Memphis, Tenn.

93 Campbell, Charles K 5-9 176 R-Fr. Jackson, Tenn
66 Rafferty, Aidan OL 6-6 315 R-Fr. Kensington, Md.
9 Penix Jr., Michael QB 6-3 202 R-Fr. Tampa, Fla
24 James, Sampson RB 6-1 212 Fr. Avon, Ind
76 Bedford, Matthew OL 6-6 284 Fr.

*Did NOT include any of incoming FR class not yet at IU.

No LB's on your list and rightfully so...Kinda scary. Really wondering about the defense this year. We need a missle MLB.

DeBoer has all kinds of toys but when the Big arrives on the schedule he is quickly going to realize holy sh!t this is Big Boy football.

Your list is good. The OL could be really special this year. I cannot believe Cronk is already a senior. I miss him already and the season hasn't even started. Lots of guys well over 300 and Ballou and Rhea probably have them running all kinds of foot drills and hand drills.

The DB group could also be special but they need some pass rush help. Hopefully our d-line and Wommack start some nice disguise blitzes especially on 3rd down rather then run base. Nice post!

 

[i'vegotwinners]

when was the last time a non QB in the B10 had the impact Rondale Moore had?

agree that "difference makers" are important, but RM is the most impactful non QB in PU history.

an impactful DE or LB is always nice.

 

[Indianaftw]

when was the last time a non QB in the B10 had the impact Rondale Moore had?

agree that "difference makers" are important, but RM is the most impactful non QB in PU history.

an impactful DE or LB is always nice.

Well...why post that? wtf

 

[Tegray1]

I'm very excited about James Head and Cam Jones. We need someone to step up at LB. James Miller is my guess. He could be a stud.

Unlike the Pro's where basically every player in leagues was an all All-American or All Conference player. In college, special talent can make a big difference for a team. (See Rondale Moore @ PU)

I reviewed ONLY CURRENT ROSTER on campus NOW for spring ball, for "Difference Makers" next season &/or beyond. I only chose players with real size, speed, big potential or who've shown proven talent on the field already.

To me, this is a strong group of 23 that could be a foundation in place to build a long term winning program around starting next year and then beyond! AFTER selecting them, it worked out to 11 Offense, 10 Defense. 2 S/T You be judge: Areas of Strength? Needs? Thoughts?

6 Hale, Donavan WR 6-4 225 5th Largo, Fla.
15 Westbrook, Nick WR 6-3 216 5th Lake Mary, Fla.
94 Whitehead, Haydon P 6-2 212 5th Melbourne, Australia
54 Cronk, Coy OL 6-5 321 Sr. Lafayette, Ind.

42 Ball, Marcelino DB 6-0 219 R-Jr. Roswell, Ga
98 Johnson, Jerome DL 6-3 294 R-Jr. Bassfield, Miss
22 Philyor, Whop WR 5-11 172 Jr. Tampa, Fla.

31 Fitzgerald, Bryant DB 6-0 206 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
77 Jones, Caleb OL 6-8 360 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
86 Hendershot, Peyton TE 6-4 256 R-So. North Salem, Ind.
93 Harris, Juan DL 6-3 350 R-So. Chicago, Ill.
2 Taylor, Reese ATH 5-11 183 So. Indianapolis, Ind.
6 Head Jr., James DL 6-5 264 So. Miami, Fla
16 Johnson, Jamar DB 6-1 200 So. Sarasota, Fla
21 Scott, Stevie RB 6-2 233 So. Syracuse, N.Y
23 Williams, Jaylin DB 6-0 180 So. Memphis, Tenn
25 Matthews, Devon DB 6-2 205 So. Jacksonville, Fla
34 Jones, Cam DB 6-3 218 So. Memphis, Tenn.

93 Campbell, Charles K 5-9 176 R-Fr. Jackson, Tenn
66 Rafferty, Aidan OL 6-6 315 R-Fr. Kensington, Md.
9 Penix Jr., Michael QB 6-3 202 R-Fr. Tampa, Fla
24 James, Sampson RB 6-1 212 Fr. Avon, Ind
76 Bedford, Matthew OL 6-6 284 Fr.

*Did NOT include any of incoming FR class not yet at IU.

 

[secondasky]

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Unlike the Pro's where basically every player in leagues was an all All-American or All Conference player. In college, special talent can make a big difference for a team. (See Rondale Moore @ PU)

I reviewed ONLY CURRENT ROSTER on campus NOW for spring ball, for "Difference Makers" next season &/or beyond. I only chose players with real size, speed, big potential or who've shown proven talent on the field already.

To me, this is a strong group of 23 that could be a foundation in place to build a long term winning program around starting next year and then beyond! AFTER selecting them, it worked out to 11 Offense, 10 Defense. 2 S/T You be judge: Areas of Strength? Needs? Thoughts?

6 Hale, Donavan WR 6-4 225 5th Largo, Fla.
15 Westbrook, Nick WR 6-3 216 5th Lake Mary, Fla.
94 Whitehead, Haydon P 6-2 212 5th Melbourne, Australia
54 Cronk, Coy OL 6-5 321 Sr. Lafayette, Ind.

42 Ball, Marcelino DB 6-0 219 R-Jr. Roswell, Ga
98 Johnson, Jerome DL 6-3 294 R-Jr. Bassfield, Miss
22 Philyor, Whop WR 5-11 172 Jr. Tampa, Fla.

31 Fitzgerald, Bryant DB 6-0 206 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
77 Jones, Caleb OL 6-8 360 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
86 Hendershot, Peyton TE 6-4 256 R-So. North Salem, Ind.
93 Harris, Juan DL 6-3 350 R-So. Chicago, Ill.
2 Taylor, Reese ATH 5-11 183 So. Indianapolis, Ind.
6 Head Jr., James DL 6-5 264 So. Miami, Fla
16 Johnson, Jamar DB 6-1 200 So. Sarasota, Fla
21 Scott, Stevie RB 6-2 233 So. Syracuse, N.Y
23 Williams, Jaylin DB 6-0 180 So. Memphis, Tenn
25 Matthews, Devon DB 6-2 205 So. Jacksonville, Fla
34 Jones, Cam DB 6-3 218 So. Memphis, Tenn.

93 Campbell, Charles K 5-9 176 R-Fr. Jackson, Tenn
66 Rafferty, Aidan OL 6-6 315 R-Fr. Kensington, Md.
9 Penix Jr., Michael QB 6-3 202 R-Fr. Tampa, Fla
24 James, Sampson RB 6-1 212 Fr. Avon, Ind
76 Bedford, Matthew OL 6-6 284 Fr.

*Did NOT include any of incoming FR class not yet at IU.

I say it almost every year, as our QB goes so goes the team. QB has to be outstanding on a team such as IU.

 

[Hoosiersfan2018]

I'm very excited about James Head and Cam Jones. We need someone to step up at LB. James Miller is my guess. He could be a stud.

I also think if Cam Williams learns quickly he could be a great player too. I know he's got a solid frame now. But, wonder if redshirting him and getting him bigger would help.

 

[crossfire74]

Unlike the Pro's where basically every player in leagues was an all All-American or All Conference player. In college, special talent can make a big difference for a team. (See Rondale Moore @ PU)

I reviewed ONLY CURRENT ROSTER on campus NOW for spring ball, for "Difference Makers" next season &/or beyond. I only chose players with real size, speed, big potential or who've shown proven talent on the field already.

To me, this is a strong group of 23 that could be a foundation in place to build a long term winning program around starting next year and then beyond! AFTER selecting them, it worked out to 11 Offense, 10 Defense. 2 S/T You be judge: Areas of Strength? Needs? Thoughts?

6 Hale, Donavan WR 6-4 225 5th Largo, Fla.
15 Westbrook, Nick WR 6-3 216 5th Lake Mary, Fla.
94 Whitehead, Haydon P 6-2 212 5th Melbourne, Australia
54 Cronk, Coy OL 6-5 321 Sr. Lafayette, Ind.

42 Ball, Marcelino DB 6-0 219 R-Jr. Roswell, Ga
98 Johnson, Jerome DL 6-3 294 R-Jr. Bassfield, Miss
22 Philyor, Whop WR 5-11 172 Jr. Tampa, Fla.

31 Fitzgerald, Bryant DB 6-0 206 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
77 Jones, Caleb OL 6-8 360 R-So. Indianapolis, Ind
86 Hendershot, Peyton TE 6-4 256 R-So. North Salem, Ind.
93 Harris, Juan DL 6-3 350 R-So. Chicago, Ill.
2 Taylor, Reese ATH 5-11 183 So. Indianapolis, Ind.
6 Head Jr., James DL 6-5 264 So. Miami, Fla
16 Johnson, Jamar DB 6-1 200 So. Sarasota, Fla
21 Scott, Stevie RB 6-2 233 So. Syracuse, N.Y
23 Williams, Jaylin DB 6-0 180 So. Memphis, Tenn
25 Matthews, Devon DB 6-2 205 So. Jacksonville, Fla
34 Jones, Cam DB 6-3 218 So. Memphis, Tenn.

93 Campbell, Charles K 5-9 176 R-Fr. Jackson, Tenn
66 Rafferty, Aidan OL 6-6 315 R-Fr. Kensington, Md.
9 Penix Jr., Michael QB 6-3 202 R-Fr. Tampa, Fla
24 James, Sampson RB 6-1 212 Fr. Avon, Ind
76 Bedford, Matthew OL 6-6 284 Fr.

*Did NOT include any of incoming FR class not yet at IU.

In college your "difference makers" really need to be your OL, DL, and QB folks if you want to win more than you lose. While athletic skill guys or big time kickers, or solid tacklers are nice, the game is won or lost in the trenches and in the arm (or legs) of your QB.

Next year's squad has some very good skill guys, and we have some good potential and depth at those skill positions and in the back 7 of the D, but until you can start listing OL and DL and QB as your true difference makers we are just way too many question marks.

Now having typed that, for me, the two guys I'm looking for are Caleb Jones and Tackle and Juan Harris at NG. If those two kids can come in and cement a job and stay healthy all season, they will make a huge difference and IU will bowl regardless of who is playing QB. It's probably not fair to lay so much on two kids, but if Jones can win the RT job that balances things out along the OL and gives kids more development time. Same with Harris at NG. He's a clogger and if he can occupy and allow Head and Stallings some one on one ops, we will finally have a pass rush and we will be solid up the middle too.

 

[IndyIUFan66]

In college your "difference makers" really need to be your OL, DL, and QB folks if you want to win more than you lose. While athletic skill guys or big time kickers, or solid tacklers are nice, the game is won or lost in the trenches and in the arm (or legs) of your QB.

Next year's squad has some very good skill guys, and we have some good potential and depth at those skill positions and in the back 7 of the D, but until you can start listing OL and DL and QB as your true difference makers we are just way too many question marks.

Now having typed that, for me, the two guys I'm looking for are Caleb Jones and Tackle and Juan Harris at NG. If those two kids can come in and cement a job and stay healthy all season, they will make a huge difference and IU will bowl regardless of who is playing QB. It's probably not fair to lay so much on two kids, but if Jones can win the RT job that balances things out along the OL and gives kids more development time. Same with Harris at NG. He's a clogger and if he can occupy and allow Head and Stallings some one on one ops, we will finally have a pass rush and we will be solid up the middle too.

Those two (C Jones & J Harris) were on my list and I couldn't agree more. If they can have lights out years next year, as many in NFL even say "You can win with big human beings on your team."

I believe Penix has the arm, discipline (great TD to TO ratio in HS) and talent to be a top level B10 QB.

Then think a lot of other talent developing to fill around and we have the basis for ideally bowl next year and bigger things ahead. TBD.