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Indiana offensive line coach Darren Hiller isn't afraid to challenge Harry Crider - a senior with a strong chance of being the Hoosiers' center if/when the 2020 season begins. Last year's captains Coy Cronk (tackle) and Simon Stepaniak (guard) are gone. As is starting center Hunter Littlejohn. That creates opportunities for leaders to step up for IU's offensive line. The cancellation of spring practice due to the coronavirus pandemic made it more difficult for players to stand out, but Hiller continues to encourage linemen, such as Crider, to step up during these unforeseen circumstances. "We know who the leaders are from a work perspective," Hiller said via teleconference Wednesday. "It's now going to be, who's gonna be the vocal guy? There are some questions in that regard."

Hiller feels Crider could improve on vocal leadership, but he has seen in the past that the quiet guy can step up. When Hiller became Indiana's offensive line coach in 2017, he had no seniors in the room. So he pushed players such as redshirt junior Wes Martin outside their comfort zone in hopes of becoming a leader. "Hindsight being 20/20, Wes is a quiet guy," Hiller said. "Wes is a hard worker and obviously a very good football player, but he's not a real vocal guy." When Hiller reflects on Crider's time at Indiana, he hopes to be able to say similar things. "He's just gotta get a little bass in his voice at times and take control," Hiller said. "He knows what to do, and communication's just gotta be a little bit louder, a little bit more vocal." - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#14 C) Sr/2021

C Harry Crider, Indiana
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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04/13/20 - Whop Philyor, Sr/2021, Indiana, 5-10, 184 (DS#40 WR) + More +

Citing unfinished business, Philyor announced in January he would return for his senior season after a breakout junior year that included 70 catches for 1,002 yards and five TDs. In becoming the seventh IU receiver in school history to post a 1,000-yard season, Philyor earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from coaches and third-team All-Big Ten honors from the media. The speedy, 5-foot-11, 177-pound Philyor got open early and often last season, posting 10 or more catches in three games. He finished the year third in the Big Ten in catches per game at 5.8. How Philyor adjusts to being more of a focal point to opposing scouting reports will determine his effectiveness as a senior. New offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan will need to continue to find creative ways to get him open as the Tampa, Fla., native could end up facing more double coverage compared to last season. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#40 WR) Sr/2021

WR Whop Philyor, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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04/07/20 - Tiawan Mullen, Sr/2023, Indiana, 5-09, 181 (DS#56 CB) + More +

The loss to Tennessee in the Gator Bowl still resonates with Indiana rising sophomore cornerback Tiawan Mullen. In a breakout freshman season, Mullen became a starter by early October and led the Big Ten with 13 pass breakups, earning honorable mention all-conference honors. The season closed with Mullen returning to his home state of Florida, but the 5-foot-10, 176-pound Fort Lauderdale native said the 23-22 loss to the Vols on Jan. 2 has driven him through offseason workouts. "Losing by one point, it kind of like boils my stomach, tears my stomach, but not the wrong way," Mullen said. "We lost by one point. What can we do differently? How can we approach the 2020 season? There's always a chip on my shoulder. That's how I want to approach my sophomore season."

Mullen has set high goals for himself since first stepping on campus, including winning the Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football. In addition to the 13 pass breakups, Mullen tied for the IU lead last season with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. That season has put Mullen on the radar nationally, as Athlon Sports recently named him as one of the top 35 breakout candidates in college football in 2020. "I just want to improve on that, become a more vocal leader out there on the field," Mullen said. "Just being comfortable for when they need me to make big-time plays." Mullen is back in Fort Lauderdale as IU players are scattered throughout the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. But he's found parks to work out at and weights to lift. He's also got a pair of familiar workout partners in his older brother, Trayvon Mullen, who just finished his rookie NFL season with the Oakland Raiders, and his younger brother, Trevell Mullen, a four-star Class of 2022 recruit who already has offers from IU, Kentucky and Oregon. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#56 CB) Sr/2023

CB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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04/02/20 - Nick Westbrook, rSr/2020, Indiana, 6-3, 211 (DS#81 WR) + More +

Former Indiana football players Nick Westbrook and Reakwon Jones have scoured through their home state of Florida, looking for gyms that are open or fields to work out on. Westbrook and Jones were supposed to audition in front of NFL scouts at IU football Pro Day on Tuesday, but the event, like so many others, was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Neither Westbrook, a dependable IU receiver who finished his career with 2,226 receiving yards and 16 TDs, nor Jones, a 6-foot-2, 233-pound linebacker who had 100 career tackles for the Hoosiers, were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Both are fringe draft prospects who have a slim chance of being drafted in the later rounds. A Pro Day could have helped either Westbrook or Jones raise their respective stock. Last year at IU Pro Day, offensive lineman Wes Martin, who wasn't a Combine invite, wowed NFL scouts by bench pressing 225 pounds 38 times. That catapulted Martin to a fourth-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins.

"I had a lot to prove and felt like I could prove it at the Pro Day, and I really could have benefitted from it," Westbrook said. "But, you know, you have to roll with what's happening because this is unprecedented times for sure." Like many players throughout the country, Westbrook has been creative in finding ways to get on the radar of teams. After taking part in the East-West Shrine game in front of NFL scouts in January, Westbrook worked out in Seattle, which turned out to be the early epicenter of the virus outbreak. He left the workout facility in Seattle on March 15 to return to his native Florida but not before putting together a simulated Pro Day video to send to NFL teams. "It wasn't ideal because I was still in full training mode, wasn't able to cut back the way I would want to before Pro Day and get my body right," Westbrook said. "But just recorded all of the different drills that I needed to do, and then my agent got all the different clips and compiled them all together and sent them out to all the teams. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a professional videographer to put it together, but you know with my circumstances, I just had to kind of make the best of what I had." - Herald Bulletin

(DS#81 WR) rSr/2020

WR Nick Westbrook, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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03/26/20 - Jovan Swann, rSr/2021, Indiana, 6-2, 291 (DS#46 DT) + More +

IU football's latest graduate transfer can prepare for a homecoming. Jovan Swann, a defensive lineman the Hoosiers prioritized out of Center Grove High School before losing him to Stanford in 2016, announced Thursday his decision to graduate from the Pac-12 school and enroll at Indiana. He will have one year of eligibility remaining. Swann joins a defensive line unit that's as deep and experienced as any the Hoosiers have fielded in years. Listed as a 271-pound defensive end, Swann appeared in 39 games (19 starts) over the last three seasons for the Cardinal, tallying 18 1/2 tackles for loss, 11 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. He was an All Pac-12 honorable mention selection in 2018, and has twice been named to all-conference academic teams.

A three-star prospect ranked among the state's top 10 in the 2016 class, Swann picked Stanford over an offer list that included numerous Big Ten, ACC and SEC programs. Indiana pushed hard for the one-time defensive tackle, who spent more time on the edge in college. He's already preparing to bulk back up, ideally to around 280 pounds, so he can play more three technique at IU, a shift in responsibility from his time out west. The Hoosiers utilize almost exclusively in four-down fronts, whereas Stanford often prefers odd fronts. - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#46 DT) rSr/2021

DT Jovan Swann, Indiana
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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03/26/20 - Jovan Swann, rSr/2021, Indiana, 6-2, 291 (DS#46 DT) + More +

DT Jovan Swann, Indiana
News Source: Indy Star
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03/08/20 - Marcelino McCrary-Ball, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-0, 212 (DS#25 SS) + More +

Indiana will name current New York Giants strength and conditioning coach Aaron Wellman as its new strength and conditioning coach, a source confirmed Saturday. Wellman was hired by the New York Giants in 2016 and, according to his Giants bio, "significantly changed the Giants' offseason and in-season training regimens, and the result has been a substantial decrease in the number of season-ending injuries suffered by Giants players." Wellman also has strong Indiana and Big Ten ties. He began his career as a graduate assistant and assistant strength and conditioning coach at IU from 1997-2001. From there, Wellman had stints in football strength and conditioning coaching at Michigan State (2001-03), Ball State (2003-09), San Diego State (2009-11) and Michigan (2011-14) and Notre Dame (2015). He joined the Giants in 2016. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#25 SS) rSr/2022

SS Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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02/25/20 - Simon Stepaniak, rSr/2020, Indiana, 6-4, 313 (DS#18 OG) + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Simon Stepaniak, OG, Indiana,...A team captain, Stepaniak anchors an offensive line that has allowed just 1.92 sacks per game despite using five combinations and three different left tackles. Indiana ranks second in the league in total offense (34th nationally, 443.6), passing offense (13th, 308.7) and time of possession (5th, 34:05), and sixth in scoring offense (32.6). - Indiana Football

(DS#18 OG) rSr/2020

OG Simon Stepaniak, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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02/24/20 - Peyton Hendershot, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-4, 246 (DS#25 TE) + More +

Indiana coach Tom Allen has suspended record-breaking tight end Peyton Hendershot indefinitely. Monday's announcement comes less than two days after Hendershot was arrested. He allegedly entered the apartment of a former girlfriend without her permission. He also is accused of grabbing and shoving the woman, according to the police report. He faces preliminary charges of felony residential entry and three misdemeanors - domestic battery, criminal mischief and criminal conversion. A statement released by the team said the suspension will begin immediately. "(Allen) will continue to evaluate the situation pending further developments," the statement said. Last season, the 20-year-old redshirt sophomore set school records for a tight end with 52 receptions, 622 yards and four touchdowns. He was a third-team all-Big Ten selection by the media and received honorable mention honors from the league's coaches. - AP College Football

(DS#25 TE) rSr/2022

TE Peyton Hendershot, Indiana
News Source: AP College Football
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12/05/19 - Whop Philyor, Sr/2021, Indiana, 5-10, 184 (DS#40 WR) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM (COACHES): WR Whop Philyor, Indiana,...Philyor, who also netted third-team honors from the media, is second in the Big Ten with 6.3 receptions per game (T-22nd nationally) and third with 91.0 yards per game (T-21st). He sits third in the conference with 69 catches (T-31st) and fourth with 1,001 yards (T-24th) to go along with five touchdowns. The Tampa native became the seventh Hoosier with 1,000 receiving yards and his 1,001 yards are seventh on the single-season list. Philyor ranks sixth on the program's single-season receptions chart and his four 100-yard games share sixth. One of 10 FBS players to record three double-digit reception games in 2019, his 489 yards after the catch top the Big Ten (21st nationally), according to PFF College. Scott owns 845 yards (5th in the Big Ten) on 178 carries (5th) with 10 rushing touchdowns (T-4th) and a 4.7 average. He is also fourth in the conference with a 76.8 average per game. - Indiana Football

(DS#40 WR) Sr/2021

WR Whop Philyor, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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12/05/19 - *Stevie Scott III, Jr/2021, Indiana, 6-0, 225 (DS#16 RB) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM (COACHES): RB Stevie Scott III, Indiana,...Scott owns 845 yards (5th in the Big Ten) on 178 carries (5th) with 10 rushing touchdowns (T-4th) and a 4.7 average. He is also fourth in the conference with a 76.8 average per game. The Syracuse, N.Y., product has reached the century mark three times this year, and his nine 100-yard games are tied for the 10th-most in program history. Scott is second among all B1G backs with 26 catches and third with 211 yards. His 96.0 all-purpose yards per game rank second on the Hoosiers and 10th in the league, while his 11 total scores lead the team and are tied for third in the Big Ten. - Indiana Football

(DS#16 RB) Jr/2021

RB *Stevie Scott III, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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12/05/19 - Peyton Hendershot, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-4, 246 (DS#25 TE) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Peyton Hendershot,...Hendershot owns 46 receptions (2nd on the team) for 555 yards (2nd) and four touchdowns (3rd) in 12 starts this year. He is second in catches and yardage, and tied for third in TDs on Indiana's single-season list for tight ends. The North Salem, Ind., native is second among all conference tight ends in receptions and yardage, and tied for third in scores. Among tight ends nationally, he is ninth in catches, 13th in yardage and shares 26h in touchdowns. Hendershot has set or matched career-highs in receptions or yardage six times, has led the team in catches on six occasions and has led the team in yardage three times. - Indiana Football

(DS#25 TE) rSr/2022

TE Peyton Hendershot, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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12/05/19 - Haydon Whitehead, rSr/2021, Indiana, 6-3, 202 (DS#9 P) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): ST Haydon Whitehead,...A 2017 honorable-mention recipient, Whitehead is averaging a career-high 42.1 yards (5th in the Big Ten) on 47 punts with 20 inside the 20-yard line (42.6 percent), 15 inside the 10 (31.9) and four inside the 5 (8.5), to go along with a career-best nine 50-plus yarders, including a career-long 65-yarder. Only five of Whitehead's 47 punts have resulted in a touchback (10.6), 19 have resulted in a fair catch (40.4) and just six have been returned (12.8). - Indiana Football

(DS#9 P) rSr/2021

P Haydon Whitehead, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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12/05/19 - Logan Justus, rSr/2020, Indiana, 5-11, 182 (DS#5 K) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM (COACHES): Kicker Logan Justus, Indiana,...Justus, who claimed second-team accolades for the second-straight season, continues the Hoosiers run of all-conference kickers, as Griffin Oakes earned Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year and first-team accolades in 2015 and 2017, and Mitch Ewald collected second-team laurels in 2013. A two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, Justus is 14-of-17 on field goals (82.4 percent) and 44-of-45 on extra points (97.8 percent) in 2019. His 44 PATs are fifth on the program's single-season list.

The McCordsville, Ind., native opened the year with 14-straight makes, which ranks second in program history (Austin Starr - 15 in 2007). Justus is second in the B1G in field goal percentage, third in field goals made and seventh in scoring (7.2). IU's all-time field goal percentage leader is 29-of-35 in his career (82.9) and 76-of-78 on extra tries (97.4). Justus is 15th among FBS kickers in field goal percentage and 22nd in field goals made per game (1.21). His 76 extra points are eighth and his 29 three-pointers are ninth on the school's career charts. - Indiana Football

(DS#5 K) rSr/2020

K Logan Justus, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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12/05/19 - Tiawan Mullen, Sr/2023, Indiana, 5-09, 181 (DS#56 CB) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Tiawan Mullen,...Mullen shares the top spot in the league (T-15th nationally) with 12 passes broken up. He is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries (T-3rd Big Ten, T-25th nationally), and he has 25 tackles, 22 solo and 3.5 for loss. - Indiana Football

(DS#56 CB) Sr/2023

CB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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