Why Wait – Freshman Makes ‘Wise’ Decision to Come Early
2/18/2020 9:53:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ty Wise saw no reason to wait.
The young and talented rarely do.
You only get one shot at your high school senior spring semester, but Wise found the big picture too enticing given the Indiana University football opportunity and his linebacker potential.
So he skipped his final few high school months to become one of nine IU newcomers to enroll for the second semester,
Besides, Carmel is perhaps 90 minutes away. If he needs to run home, he can.
But this heralded prospect (247Sports rates Wise as the state's No. 7 player and the nation's No. 72 outside linebacker) isn't planning on running anywhere beyond a football field.
Not with so much to be pumped about.
Wise helped Carmel win a state championship last November. He's committed to helping the Hoosiers win a bunch of games in the next four seasons, perhaps as soon as this coming season, and it won't happen without elite preparation.
A six-month college head start could make all the difference.
"Getting ahead was important to me," he says from Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall's rowing locker room. "In the end, it will really help me out."
Wise was an Indiana Mr. Football finalist last year, for good reason. He earned all-state honors while wrecking offenses. He totaled 112 tackles, 20 for loss, with six sacks. He also recovered three fumbles, intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles.
Wise is, in fact, exactly the kind of player head coach Tom Allen and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack want in their get-takeaways defense.
That includes covering receivers.
"Hopefully, I do that a lot," Wise says with a smile. "I love it. I love being able to show my athleticism and ability to play in space. I love man coverage. I know we do that a decent amount."
Wise comes from one of the state of Indiana's most successful football programs. The Greyhounds have won nine state titles, including last season in 6A under coach John Herbert. They also have seven runner-up showings, including in 2018.
That could provide a winning edge as the Hoosiers try to build on this past season's success, when they won eight games and qualified for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
"I would say I'm used to winning," Wise says with another smile. "That's the expectation when I got here. (Indiana) had a great season last year. We're expecting to have an even better season next year."
Wise generated plenty of recruiting attention in high school, and could have gotten more, but he knew early on IU was the school for him. He was the Hoosiers' first commitment in the Class of 2020.
"My head coach at Carmel pushed me in the direction of Indiana," Wise says. "Then I saw for myself that that's where I wanted to play. He talked to me about all the advantages of early enrollment. I really appreciated it."
Wise also appreciated the family recruiting approach led by Wommack and veteran Hoosier players. That included former standout linebacker Reakwon Jones.
"Once I got here for my official visit," Wise says, "they all showed me a lot of love. It was like a brotherhood.
"Reakwon was my host and showed me what it was like. After that, I knew that's what I wanted to do."
That included participating in Indiana's speed-oriented strength training program.
"It's a lot different (than in high school)," Wise says. "It's higher paced, higher tempo. You really see the results fast.
"It's hard, but it will make me better. I see what the older guys at my position can do. I want to do that. I will put in the work."
Wise doesn't expect to instantly crack the starting lineup. He has much to learn and improve. He also has formidable competition from returning veteran linebackers Micah McFadden, Cam Jones, James Miller and Thomas Allen.
Still, Wise hopes to contribute this season, and beyond.
"I'm focused on everything," he says. "I'm coming in at the bottom of the food chain. It's about getting better, faster, stronger. When spring ball comes up, getting used to the speed of the game.
"It's different from high school. It's being a student of the game, learning the plays, getting acclimated."
The plan is to move the 6-2, 220-pound Wise from outside to inside linebacker.
He's all for that.
"Coach Wommack says because of my frame, that's where every coach saw me. I'm lanky, fast-twitched, physical.
"This will be a lot different, but it will be fun."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ty Wise saw no reason to wait.
The young and talented rarely do.
You only get one shot at your high school senior spring semester, but Wise found the big picture too enticing given the Indiana University football opportunity and his linebacker potential.
So he skipped his final few high school months to become one of nine IU newcomers to enroll for the second semester,
Besides, Carmel is perhaps 90 minutes away. If he needs to run home, he can.
But this heralded prospect (247Sports rates Wise as the state's No. 7 player and the nation's No. 72 outside linebacker) isn't planning on running anywhere beyond a football field.
Not with so much to be pumped about.
Wise helped Carmel win a state championship last November. He's committed to helping the Hoosiers win a bunch of games in the next four seasons, perhaps as soon as this coming season, and it won't happen without elite preparation.
A six-month college head start could make all the difference.
"Getting ahead was important to me," he says from Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall's rowing locker room. "In the end, it will really help me out."
Wise was an Indiana Mr. Football finalist last year, for good reason. He earned all-state honors while wrecking offenses. He totaled 112 tackles, 20 for loss, with six sacks. He also recovered three fumbles, intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles.
Wise is, in fact, exactly the kind of player head coach Tom Allen and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack want in their get-takeaways defense.
That includes covering receivers.
"Hopefully, I do that a lot," Wise says with a smile. "I love it. I love being able to show my athleticism and ability to play in space. I love man coverage. I know we do that a decent amount."
Wise comes from one of the state of Indiana's most successful football programs. The Greyhounds have won nine state titles, including last season in 6A under coach John Herbert. They also have seven runner-up showings, including in 2018.
That could provide a winning edge as the Hoosiers try to build on this past season's success, when they won eight games and qualified for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
"I would say I'm used to winning," Wise says with another smile. "That's the expectation when I got here. (Indiana) had a great season last year. We're expecting to have an even better season next year."
Wise generated plenty of recruiting attention in high school, and could have gotten more, but he knew early on IU was the school for him. He was the Hoosiers' first commitment in the Class of 2020.
"My head coach at Carmel pushed me in the direction of Indiana," Wise says. "Then I saw for myself that that's where I wanted to play. He talked to me about all the advantages of early enrollment. I really appreciated it."
Wise also appreciated the family recruiting approach led by Wommack and veteran Hoosier players. That included former standout linebacker Reakwon Jones.
"Once I got here for my official visit," Wise says, "they all showed me a lot of love. It was like a brotherhood.
"Reakwon was my host and showed me what it was like. After that, I knew that's what I wanted to do."
That included participating in Indiana's speed-oriented strength training program.
"It's a lot different (than in high school)," Wise says. "It's higher paced, higher tempo. You really see the results fast.
"It's hard, but it will make me better. I see what the older guys at my position can do. I want to do that. I will put in the work."
Wise doesn't expect to instantly crack the starting lineup. He has much to learn and improve. He also has formidable competition from returning veteran linebackers Micah McFadden, Cam Jones, James Miller and Thomas Allen.
Still, Wise hopes to contribute this season, and beyond.
"I'm focused on everything," he says. "I'm coming in at the bottom of the food chain. It's about getting better, faster, stronger. When spring ball comes up, getting used to the speed of the game.
"It's different from high school. It's being a student of the game, learning the plays, getting acclimated."
The plan is to move the 6-2, 220-pound Wise from outside to inside linebacker.
He's all for that.
"Coach Wommack says because of my frame, that's where every coach saw me. I'm lanky, fast-twitched, physical.
"This will be a lot different, but it will be fun."
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