Player-By-Player Breakdown Of IU’s New Class

By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com

Tori Ziege | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com | Twitter

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson announced the addition of 21 players on Wednesday's National Signing Day.

Wilson and his coaching staff expressed excitement about the class and the future they'll have with the program. We've broken down a bit about all 21 players listed alphabetically below.

Marcelino Ball, Roswell, Ga., Roswell High School
Brother of Carolina Panthers defensive back, Marcus, Marcelino is rated the No. 87 safety nationally by Scout. Wilson said he liked Ball out of the Roswell High School program, which fell to the team of fellow 2016 signee Shaun Bonner in the state championship.

"Tremendous player," Wilson said. "I saw him in early December, fell in love with him and the way he looked. He'll play that nickel safety, basically what's been an outside linebacker for us."

Phil Benker, Jacksonville, Fla., Sandalwood High School
The first of four players from the Sunshine State, Benker committed to the Hoosiers in the summer, and is one of two wide receivers in an offensive-oriented 2016 class. His mother, Sabine, was born in Germany, so Wilson's wife, Angie, helped as interpreter on his official visit to Benker's home.

"He's actually already graduated and wanted to be here for the spring semester, but we didn't have the mid-year spots available," Wilson said. "He's a big-bodied receiver that we like and I think we need in the Big Ten."

Shaun Bonner, Moultrie, Ga., Colquitt County High School
Wilson was excited by the addition of the 6-3, 250-pound tight end that will help fill a hole left by Indiana's three departing seniors. Bonner was a member of the back-to-back 6A state championship team, winning 30 straight games over the last two seasons.

"I was very excited by Shaun Bonner," Wilson said. "He's a great blocker, and he plays some backfield, you see him move around. He does a lot of things that our tight ends do."

Khalil Bryant, Jacksonville, Fla., First Coast High School
As a senior, Bryant racked up 112 tackles, two interceptions, 17 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown at the defensive back position. He joined Benker as an early commit out of Jacksonville. He's graduated early and working part-time, so Wilson was able to see him in his UPS uniform when it came time for him to visit.

"Just listening to coach (Wilson) talk a little bit, he's one of those guys that has what he's looking for," secondary coach Noah Joseph said. "High character kid that can run, change direction and is physical and will hit you. He's just a good football player that when the ball's in the air, he makes plays."

Coy Cronk, Lafayette, Ind., Lafayette Central Catholic High School
Cronk was the first player Wilson mentioned by name during Wednesday's National Signing Day press conference. Indiana's head coach was impressed by the mike linebacker who helped lead Lafayette Central Catholic to a state championship in 2015 while also catching as a four-year letterwinner for the 2013 state champion baseball team.

"A kid I fell in love with early was Coy Cronk," Wilson said. "He's pushing 6-foot-five, right now he's over 280 pounds, and the way he could run was intriguing — he could even play defensive line to tell you the truth."

Brandon Drayton, Largo, Fla., Largo High School
As a teammate of IU sophomore safety Jonathan Crawford and sophomore wide receiver Donavan Hale, Drayton — the defensive back — continues the strong relationship Indiana has formed with the Largo High School coaching staff. The Hoosiers coveted him for his ability to make plays and create turnovers.

"He's very similar to Jonathan, and that's what we liked about him," Joseph said. "He's got good ball skills and will also cover ground."

Kiante Enis, Saratoga, Ind., Winchester Community High School
Rated the No. 4 prospect out of Indiana by ESPN, Enis racked up over 7,000 yards and 98 touchdowns in his high school career. Indiana is bringing the 6-2, 205-pounder in as a running back, where he wants to play, but Wilson said he could easily play a number of other positions, including safety, corner or receiver.

"I just wanted to get him to really embrace being a big, strong, fast kid," running backs coach Deland McCullough said. "He put up video game numbers in high school, so that's something I'm looking forward to as well. This guy was putting it up."

Cole Gest, Lyndhurst, Ohio, St. Edward High School
A 5-8, 197-pound running back who's eager to talk numbers, Gest finished his career as the school's leading rusher with nearly 4,000 yards and 50 career touchdowns. Wilson said he compares to other shorter Big Ten running backs who make good punt returners, with the potential to play slot receiver as well.

"Cole is a dynamic little dynamo," Wilson said. "He is explosive as all get-out, strong thighs and lower body… a pure running back."

Jerome Johnson, Bassfield, Miss., Bassfield High School
Indiana's lone commit from the Magnolia state, Johnson posted 88 tackles, eight sacks and 20 tackles for loss in route to the Mississippi Association of Coaches Player of the Year recognition. The defensive lineman was a late-add to the 2016 class, committing after Wilson passed through his campus on the postseason recruiting trail.

"The best thing about Jerome was he was chasing the ball every play," Wilson said. "He wasn't standing around watching, so for a big 300-pounder, we're excited to have him up front."

Richard Lagow, Plano, Texas, Cisco (Texas) Community College
Indiana's 6-6, 240-pound quarterback commit is rated the top-ranked pocket-passer out of junior college by ESPN. He threw for 2,285 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2015 at Cisco Community College, and immediately following enrolled in spring classes at IU. He participated in a handful of practices before the Hoosiers left for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, where he caught Wilson's eye.

"I think he does fit exactly what Nate Sudfeld brought to our team," IU offensive coordinator Kevin Johns said. "Very smart guy. He plays in a spread offense, so he understands what we're going to try to do with our tempo and our spread system. I really think the sky's the limit."

Taysir Mack, Brooklyn, N.Y., Grand Street Campus High School

Mack was the latest addition to Indiana's recruiting class, sending in his signed National Letter of Intent minutes after Wilson ended his Signing Day press conference. Wilson actually brought Johns into his press conference from out of the hallway after finding out Mack was heading to Bloomington for a quick rundown of his skillset before Wilson retold a story about getting lost in Brooklyn while on a visit.

"Special kid, special talent," Johns said. "We're excited. We think he'll fit in well."

Jonah Morris, Akron, Ohio, Archbishop Hoban High School

Morris was listed as an athlete because of his versatility but is expected to start his Indiana career at receiver. His 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame could also help him wind up anywhere from linebacker to safety depending on how he looks in fall camp.

His versatility—he was ranked the No. 1 athlete in the Midwest by Scout—made him an attractive prospect when IU's coaching staff managed to get a look at him.

"He's the real deal," Johns said. "He's listed as an athlete, but there's so many things he can do. He's going to play wide receiver for us. When you talk about him, a 6-foot-4, 220 pound receiver that can run, that's a scary mismatch on the perimeter for a lot of corners. This kid's big time."

Tyler Natee, Euless, Texas, Trinity High School

Natee was a hidden gem of sorts that Wilson stumbled upon by accident.

Wilson was in Texas asking coaches who the best player around was when he got the tip about a Trinity quarterback who's 6-foot, 260-pound frame was a hard sell to head coaches who didn't see him in person. Wilson didn't have that problem, seeing him play and realizing he wanted him for his 2016 class as a flexible fullback type rusher.

"One thing you've got to respect about Tyler is his ability to carry the ball," McCullough said. "He's got the bulk to run through trash. Great ball skills, he can catch it. He's going to play multiple roles for us in our offense."

Mackenzie Nworah, Houston, Texas, Manvel High School

Nworah's relationship with offensive line coach Greg Frey helped bring him to Indiana.

Born into a prestigious family in Nigeria, Nworah is in line to be a prince in the country's royal family. He began playing football as a freshman in high school after being pulled out of a basketball gym and excelled even with raw talent.

"He's very thorough in everything he does," offensive line coach Greg Frey said. "Very mobile, finishes blocks, gets out there, cares a lot and is a great teammate. Just a lot of interesting, great things about him."

Peyton Ramsey, Cincinnati Ohio, Elder High School

Ramsey will add even more depth to Indiana's quarterback room after being one of the first commits of IU's class. He played quarterback under his father at high school and was a two-time Greater Catholic League South Player of the Year.

"He really has the intangibles that drew him to us," Johns said. "He's a winner. He's a tremendous leader. He works extremely hard. Great athlete, can make plays with his feet and strong arm. We're excited about what he can bring."

A'Shon Riggins, Hamilton, Ohio, Hamilton High School

Riggins' film from high school doesn't exactly tell his full story. A defensive back at Indiana, Riggins' made the most of his highlights with the ball in his hand at Hamilton High School but caught IU's attention for his ability as a cover corner.

On Indiana's radar as a sophomore, Riggins is one of a handful of young defensive backs about to join the roster with a chance to play relatively earn on.

"A'Shon is really a young man when you're watching film, you'll see a lot of offensive things," secondary coach Brandon Shelby said. "But his coach did a great job of getting the ball in his hands. Your eyes are not deceiving you, he's definitely going to be a great corner for us."

Ryan Smith, Loveland, Ohio, Moeller High School

Smith projects to be an inside player on the offensive line, whether it be at guard or center.

He was slowed a little bit by an injury late in his high school career but managed to impress Frey with his athleticism and play. A two-way lineman in high school, Smith only allowed one sack in 2014.

"When we look at offensive line, we're looking for if they can get to the blocks," Frey said. "What do we do when they get there? What's their mentality as far as working, as far as attacking issues, as far as developing in the weight room?"

Allen Stallings IV, Maywood, Ill., Oak Park and River Forest High School
A four-time qualifier for the Illinois high school state wrestling tournament, Stallings fits the bill to help replace graduated players like Nick Mangieri and Zack Shaw as an outside pass rusher.

A teammate of current Hoosier Simmie Cobbs, Jr., in high school, Stallings may have a chance to contribute early on as an edge rusher who's able to get after the quarterback.

"I was a wrester in high school, so I'm a little biased toward those guys," defensive line coach Larry McDaniel said. "He's going to fill that need that we have to get some pressure off the edges. He's a very explosive, very passionate player."

Grayson Stover, Spring Hill, Fla., Hudson High School

Stover comes out of Hudson High School as one of the most highly touted football prospects in program history, becoming the first player from Hudson High to play in the Big Ten.

Hudson's commitment to his high school and ability to stand out made him an attractive offensive line recruit. His 6-foot-6, 295 pound frame didn't hurt either.

"He has a strong, competitive nature," Frey said. "He really wants to excel. To watch him and get to know him, he really, in my eyes, has been developing every day. You're seeing a kid that really wants to be good."

Ian Thomas, Baltimore Md., Nassau (N.Y.) Community College

Rated the No. 2 junior college tight end in the country by ESPN, Thomas' family background and play on the field caught Indiana's attention last season.

At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Thomas fits the mold of being either a strong run blocker or pass-catcher depending on where he splits out. Wilson already brought up the idea of playing him in the slot at receiver from time to time as the Hoosiers did often with Ted Bolser a few years ago.

"He's an unbelievable athlete," tight ends coach James Patton said. "He's a guy that's going to come here and get better and get stronger. Really a mature kid for his age. Just really excited about his upside."

Jayme Thompson, Toledo, Ohio, Iowa Western Community College

Thompson hasn't wasted any time trying to add leadership in the safeties room, enrolling at semester and already beginning to lead player drills while the coaches aren't able to spend time with their players.

Thompson was a proven community college player and was ranked the No. 2 junior college safety in the nation by 247Sports. He helped Iowa Western to a 10-2 record last season and a win in the 2015 Graphic Edge Bowl.

"One of the biggest things was he's a little bit more mature," Joseph said. "We felt like with some of the losses we had in the secondary, we needed an older, mature kid to come in from a mental standpoint and a leadership standpoint to help us on the back end."

Players Mentioned

Jonathan Crawford

Donavan Hale

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