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Indiana junior running back Stevie Scott III was on his way to a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season when a late-season injury derailed those hopes. Scott was knocked out a game in late November against Michigan and forced to sit out IU's Old Oaken Bucket win over Purdue and Gator Bowl loss against Tennessee. "Those were hard times," Scott said. "Having love for the game and not being able to play for your team, especially having the good season that we did and going to a bowl game, my first bowl game, and not being able to play, it was very tough." Still, Scott crossed the 1,000-yard all-purpose plateau as a sophomore, finishing the year with 845 yards rushing, 211 yards receiving and a combined 11 touchdowns (10 rushing, one receiving). He showed signs of being a more complete running back as a sophomore and is looking to build off that versatility entering his junior season.

"Being the type of player that has all the attributes," said Scott, who celebrated his 20th birthday Wednesday. "Just showing the NFL, coaches and just people around the nation that I could be that type of back." Scott received another birthday surprise the night before he turned 20, being part of a Zoom call with former IU standout and current NFL running back Jordan Howard, who recently signed with the Miami Dolphins. "He was speaking really good things to me and the running back group, the other players we had in there," Scott said. "Just life in general and how to keep up our mindset going and stay positive to be a better you." - Herald Bulletin

(DS#16 RB) Jr/2021

RB *Stevie Scott III, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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05/08/20 - Cam Jones, rSr/2023, Indiana, 6-1, 227 (DS#13 OLB) + More +

Even with veteran starting linebacker Reakwon Jones gone, Indiana football coach Tom Allen feels good about the position group. With junior linebackers Micah McFadden and Cam Jones returning, IU has two talented players back who are continuing to reach their full potential. Allen's son, fourth-year junior linebacker Thomas Allen, also brings experience and knowledge of the 4-2-5 defense he grew up watching his father coach. "They have gotten so much better since last year," the elder Allen said. "I think that playing all those young guys early in the season last year is paying off for sure. "It is a very deep group. They run well. They are physical. They are smart guys and are starting to understand the calls, the checks and the adjustments. They are truly doing what I have been saying since Day 1, which is running the defense." Hard-hitting Cam Jones is expected to step in at the other starting linebacker spot. At 6-3 and 227 pounds, Jones has enough speed to cover the field and make plays in coverage (he returned an interception 44 yards last season). Like McFadden, Jones also has good instincts to the ball, with 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#13 OLB) rSr/2023

OLB Cam Jones, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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05/06/20 - Jovan Swann, rSr/2021, Indiana, 6-2, 291 (DS#46 DT) + More +

Last season, Javon Swann racked up 5.5 sacks at Stanford. Not bad for a defensive lineman in a three-man front. But ask Indiana's grad transfer lineman what he wants to achieve with the Hoosiers in 2020, his last season of college football before he pursues his NFL dreams, and that 5.5 figure isn't quite enough. "In my eyes, I need to double the number of sacks I got last season. At least," Swann said Wednesday in a Zoom call with reporters. A pandemic has created some uncertainty this spring, but the 6-foot-2, 270-pound lineman from Indianapolis has developed some certainties about what he wants from this final year. Swann very much wanted to spend it back home. Seventy-degree weather and clear skies are great but $500 round-trip tickets for his family to attend games weren't.

Swann also wants to use this year to improve. With his experience in Stanford's defense, he has the versatility to play both inside and on the edge. He has the maturity to understand how to prepare, and setting the bar high is just part of that process. "Everybody wants to be a winner, so just do what winners do is what I try to do every day," Swann said. "It's one thing to say this game means a lot to you, but to live it out each and every day tirelessly and be obsessed with it is what I try to do. I know some guys who might look at me and say 'This guy is a little uptight, he's a little too serious,' but that's alright by me, because I'm going to try to do what I can until my body can't do it anymore." - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#46 DT) rSr/2021

DT Jovan Swann, Indiana
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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05/02/20 - Tiawan Mullen, Sr/2023, Indiana, 5-09, 181 (DS#56 CB) + More +

When it comes to position groups on the Indiana football roster, head coach Tom Allen is confident in his cornerbacks and their ability in man coverage. IU's pass defense allowed a respectable 213.7 yards per game in 2019, but there is still room for more big plays. IU only recorded seven interceptions, with the corners accounting for just two picks. On the flip side, led by honorable mention All Big-Ten freshman Tiawan Mullen, IU's corners accounted for 20 of the team's 42 pass breakups.

At 5-foot-10 and 177 pounds, Mullen makes up for his lack of size with his speed and ball skills. Mullen led the Big Ten and finished second among freshman nationally in pass breakups in Football Bowl Subdivision play with 13. On top of that, Mullen showed a nose for the football with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. "There's always room to improve," Mullen said. "I'm never satisfied with how I played. Freshman year I feel could have been better. I feel like I can do more for the team." - Herald Bulletin

(DS#56 CB) Sr/2023

CB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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04/28/20 - Simon Stepaniak, rSr/2020, Indiana, 6-4, 313 (DS#18 OG) + More +

Indiana continued its recent run of offensive linemen being taken in the NFL draft Saturday. IU right guard Simon Stepaniak was taken in the sixth round (209th overall) by the Green Bay Packers. The 6-foot-4, 321-pound Stepaniak is the fourth IU offensive lineman taken in the NFL Draft since 2016, a list that includes guard Wes Martin (fourth round, 2019, Washington Redskins), guard Dan Feeney (third round, 2017, Los Angeles Chargers) and tackle Jason Spriggs (second round, Green Bay Packers, 2016). Spriggs was cut by the Packers last year and recently signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent.

Stepaniak suffered a torn ACL the week leading up to the Gator Bowl but was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and impressed scouts and talent evaluators with his strength by bench pressing 225 pounds 37 straight times. He's expecting to recover from the injury in time for the start of fall camp. Stepaniak started 10 games at right guard and one game at left guard in 2019, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#18 OG) rSr/2020

OG Simon Stepaniak, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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04/22/20 - Peyton Hendershot, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-4, 246 (DS#25 TE) + More +

Indiana tight end Peyton Hendershot has returned to team activities in a "modified way" following a previous suspension, IU coach Tom Allen said in a teleconference Wednesday. Hendershot, a rising redshirt junior, was charged in February with four misdemeanors - domestic battery, criminal trespass, criminal conversion, and criminal mischief - following an incident with an ex-girlfriend. According to court records, Hendershot has a pretrial conference scheduled for May 6. Allen said Hendershot has recently been involved with team and positional meetings. "For the rest of the spring here, once we got into this mode, (he) has been involved with some position meetings and team meetings. We brought him back in a modified way, back with our team," Allen said. "He's been involved with that. We continue to monitor the situation as he works through some things we don't have any control over."

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound tight end was coming off of a breakout 2019 campaign where he set the program's yardage and receptions records for a tight end, hauling in 52 passes for 622 yards and four touchdowns. He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection. But on Feb. 23, Hendershot was arrested by Bloomington police after allegedly entering the apartment of the victim without permission, accusing the woman of infidelity. He reportedly took her cell phone from her to look at calls and texts. When she tried to retrieve the phone, Hendershot "grabbed her by the neck and shoved her against the wall," according to police. Hendershot then threw her phone into the kitchen as he left the apartment, breaking the screen, police said. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#25 TE) rSr/2022

TE Peyton Hendershot, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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04/17/20 - *Stevie Scott III, Jr/2021, Indiana, 6-0, 225 (DS#16 RB) + More +

Scott would have posted his second straight 1,000-yard season had he not suffered a season-ending injury against Michigan in late November. Instead, Scott settled for a season that included 845 yards rushing and 10 rushing TDs. The 6-foot-2, 231-pound Scott also became a more complete back as a sophomore, picking up blitzes with blocks and catching passes out of the backfield. Scott had 26 catches for 211 yards and one receiving TD last season. While Scott doesn't possess breakaway speed, he can absorb and run after contact, as he did in posting a season-long 57-yard run against Rutgers last season. Scott enters 2020 just 18 yards shy of becoming IU's 14th career 2,000-yard rusher and is tied for 10th in school history with nine career 100-yard games. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#16 RB) Jr/2021

RB *Stevie Scott III, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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04/15/20 - Harry Crider, Sr/2021, Indiana, 6-3, 307 (DS#14 C) + More +

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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