Indiana University Athletics
Wracher Could Give IU a Special Teams Edge
7/6/2019 1:03:00 PM | Football
2019 Schedule | 2019 Season Tickets | 2019 Mini-Season Ticket Packages | 2019 Single-Game Ticket Pricing
By Pete DiPrimioIUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Often overlooked in Indiana's 2019 signing class – the top-rated in program history – is that IU landed the nation's No. 1 rated long snapper.
That would be Sean Wracher out of Akron, Ohio, and for critics who downplay the significance, well, that misses the point, which is little things matter, and that includes the guy snapping the ball for punts and kicks, although his job goes beyond that. He also has to block and, if necessary, tackle.
At 6-4 and 215 pounds, Wracher is more than ready to do that.
He did, after all, win the snapping competition at the Kohl's Eastern Showcase, participated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame World All-Star Bowl in Mexico City and earn a five-star rating from Kohl'sKicking.com.
That leads to the obvious question – what's Kohl's Kicking?
It is considered the nation's No. 1 kicking organization and provides elite evaluations utilized by college coaches.
Those were among the reasons why IU special teams coordinator William Inge made Wracher a top priority. Now that Wracher is in Bloomington, the objective is clear -- thrive and start now that Don Godsil's run of excellence is over.
"In talking with Coach Inge," Wracher says, "I didn't want to allow myself to go through an acclimation phase. I wanted to get right into it, be at my best right away. Work with the strength staff to get myself to a point where I know I can play on day one. Prove that I'm the guy to play on day one."
For four years and 50 starts at Indiana, Godsil epitomized elite level long snapping. He was the only long snapper invited to last February's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, and then set long-snapper records for the vertical jump (34.5 inches) and the broad jump (118 inches). That earned him a brief NFL stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Godsil's IU success was a big draw for Wracher.
"It came down to a few schools, and having an opportunity to come here and play right away was big," he says. "So was seeing what (head coach Tom Allen) and Coach Inge did with Dan throughout his career, getting him ready for the next level. That was a big factor in my decision."
Wracher's task is to fill the void left by the graduated Godsil and be a key contributor on a special teams unit that includes Lou Groza Award semifinalist Logan Justus and punter Haydon Whitehead.
"It's a close group," Wracher says of the special teams group. "All the guys have bonded together. It will be a great group."
For now, it's about building his body to handle Big Ten challenges.
"The biggest things for me is to put on weight, get a good game plan together and get ready to play at the Division I level."
Wracher is part of a strong newcomer class set to make instant impact this season. Here's a look at some of the others:
DAVID ELLIS
Ellis is a big-play guy, huge for an offense determined to boost its "explosive-play" capabilities.
The 6-foot, 195-pounder's versatility has him listed as an athlete rather than a specific position. ESPN rated him as the nation's No. 69 athlete.
"Versatility is a big part of my game," he says. "I'm able to play running back, receiver, special teams, even defense if the coaches need me to."
Ellis did all of that during a standout career at Michigan's Chippewa Valley High School. As a senior last season, he helped Chippewa Valley to a 14-0 record and its first state title since 2001. In the state championship game, he returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. In the regional finals, he ran for a 99-yard touchdown and caught an 80-yard TD pass.
Overall as a senior he caught 39 passes for 636 yards, and had 1,700 all-purpose yards with 20 touchdowns. He had five special teams TDs.
As a defensive back he had 45 tackles and broke up five passes.
Add it all up and his goal is simple:
"I came here to play. Whatever I need to do, catching, running, anything, I'll do."
As far as why he chose IU, Ellis says it was because of, "The coaching staff and the players, the chemistry between everybody. It's like a family here. With everything that the coaching staff stands for, it was an obvious choice for me."
Summer training and bonding has validated that choice.
"It's been interesting to see guys from different parts of the country. It's fun to build the chemistry. Everybody came here with the same goal in mind -- win."
DEMARCUS ELLIOTT
Elliott has no intention of making last the least. Not when it comes to his impact despite his status as the final member of IU's 2019 recruiting class.
The 6-3, 325-pounder, who signed on May 17, comes to IU after a year at Garden City Community College out of Kansas. Garden City was the national junior college runner-up last season. Ellis played a big part in that with 19 tackles, 4.5 for loss and one sack.
He hopes to improve on that performance with the Hoosiers. Despite being a "big guy in the middle, I also bring speed," he says. "I'm pretty fast. Getting that agility and quickness from the interior as well as from the end will be a good asset."
Elliott, a sophomore, has three years of eligibility remaining. He was a Kansas all-state player as a senior at Garden City High School, totaling 81 tackles, 18.5 for loss, with 3.5 sacks and an interception.
"Demarcus brings us the size and mass we need on our defensive line," Allen said. "He has a high motor and is a high-character young man who will do the little things we need to help make our program special."
Going from junior college to the Big Ten is a big jump. Elliott says Garden City didn't have an organized off-season strength and conditioning program.
IU does, and it's taken time to adapt to it.
"It's a way different mindset here," he says.
Still, Elliott expects the junior college experience to benefit him.
"No matter where you are, there are always people willing to play, and you have to be willing to do the extra thing to get the upper hand. Everyone who plays loves the game. They'll do everything, too, so what will you do to get that extra inch and feet?"
A big attraction for Elliott when choosing a college was IU's improved defensive play since Allen's arrival four years ago. Co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Mark Hagen and new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack also made big impressions during the recruiting process.
"I liked the rise they made, going up the ranks to become a top defense," Elliott says. "(Indiana is) coming on; Coach Wommack is a good guy, also Coach Hagen. He really cared. It was a place I wanted to be.
"Now I want to get the plays down and get right for the season."
TIM WEAVER
Weaver gets the offensive line challenge.
Yes, bigger and stronger are crucial in a Big Ten physical world, but good technique might be more so. If you want to keep big, fast defensive players away from the quarterback and running backs, you'd better be smart and efficient with your movements.
Even though coaches can't be involved until August's fall camp, Weaver's learning process is well under way.
"I feel I will be," he says of being fundamentally ready by the start of camp. "We have these player-run practices. (Veteran players) really focus on the freshmen, getting their fundamentals in check. With their leadership and guidance, I'll get to where I need to be."
Offensive line veterans Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak lead the way.
"We have a lot of great leadership," Weaver says. "We have a lot of veterans on the line. They have the confidence. They know if they don't do their job, no one else can do their job."
Weaver comes from Pennsylvania and brings plenty of athleticism. He lettered four years in lacrosse, two in wrestling and one in track.
As a senior, he helped Saucon Valley High School average 312 rushing yards and total 63 rushing touchdowns while compiling a 10-3 record. He was first-team all-state and a team captain.
What drew him to the Hoosiers?
"It was the combination of coaches, campus and academics. It was exactly what I was looking for. I felt at home on my visit; I loved the coaches, and the academics were outstanding."
Weaver's ultimate objective is to play at a high level as soon as possible. Freshmen offensive linemen rarely are ready for early Big Ten impact, but Weaver hopes to buck that trend.
"I want to get stronger and get in good shape for the season. Be the best player I can be. I know that starts in the weight room and starts everywhere outside of here – eating right, hydrating."
Players Mentioned
K
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
P
/ Football
LS
/ FootballFB: Spring Game - Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, April 23
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21