Hoosier Tight Ends Making a Difference
11/5/2021 10:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Never underestimate the power of a good tight end.
Or, in Indiana's case, three of them.
Yes, Peyton Hendershot gets the bulk of the attention, which happens when you own, or will own, every Hoosier tight end record.
And if you remember the receiving excellence of ex-Hoosier tight end Ted Bolser, that's saying something.
But also consider Matt Bjorson and AJ Barner, who have made major tight-end impacts in receiving, blocking, and special teams under tight ends coach Kevin Wright.
"Peyton Hendershot continues to play at a high level," head coach Tom Allen says. "Just gritty, tough, catching the football, blocking hard, playing hard on special teams. Matt Bjorson, same thing. Playing his tail off. Our tight end room has been a bright spot for our team offensively for sure."
It could get brighter on Saturday night when IU (2-6) plays at No. 7 Michigan (7-1).
"Coach Wright has done an awesome job with that room," offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan says. "They are contributing, not just on offense, but on special teams."
Let's start with Hendershot, who after a tough 2020 season, which followed an outstanding 2019, has made plays all over the field.
The redshirt senior was especially impressive at Maryland, totaling six catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
For the season, he has 35 catches for 447 yards and four touchdowns
"He's played great," Sheridan says. "It seems like every week there's some new record he's setting. His production has been outstanding, his leadership even better. He's done a phenomenal job."
Hendershot was an All-Big Ten force in 2019 with 52 catches for 622 yards and four touchdowns. Injuries and off-field issues led to a disappointing junior season (23 catches, 151 yards, 4 TDs in 8 games).
He vowed to come back better, smarter, fitter and more disciplined, and has delivered. He's made a huge impact on his fellow tight ends, and all the Hoosiers.
"Peyton has led the way," Sheridan says. "His maturing and how far he's come, on and off the field. That's why you coach.
"He's been great. He's made a lot of great catches. He's had a lot of yards after the catch. He's been one of our best players, one of the most productive players in the conference at his position."
In 44 career games, Hendershot has 125 catches for 1,383 yards (both are program tight end records) and 14 TDs (one behind Bolser's IU record).
Then there's Barner (3 catches, 83 yards, 1 touchdown) and Bjorson (3 catches, 24 yards). Barner has two special teams tackles.
The result, Sheridan repeats for emphasis, is, "They've all been contributing."
Tight ends are part of a receiving group that has had to adjust to four different quarterbacks this season because of injuries. Veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuggle remain "week to week" with injuries. True freshman Donaven McCulley and walk-on redshirt sophomore Grant Gremel have taken over the offense.
"You are trying to feature the things that each guy feels most comfortable with," Sheridan says. "Where that can really be a challenge is for the other players. They get into a groove on all the different types of schemes you're trying to run and getting comfortable and familiar with those.
"The guys have adjusted. They've put the work in. We'll work to improve."
Allen talks about "the timing component" and "trying to make up for lost time" involved with the quarterback changes.
"I think the biggest thing we do is try to maximize our practice reps with those guys from a little more work on routes on air. Then some post-practice work as well without trying to put too much on their legs. With some injuries we've had in that (receiving) room, that's become an issue, as well. You don't have to be physical (in practice) to get that timing down.
"Those guys have been working hard on those parts. That's become a major part of our pre-group work has been the routes on air with the tight ends as a group, the running backs as a group, and then the wide receivers as a group."
Sheridan says he doesn't install a new offense for each quarterback.
"It's not wholesale changes in the run and pass. Maybe a different way to do it. You're always looking for ways to help the players that are in there and feature what they do best."
While an official starting quarterback won't be determined until kickoff, McCulley will likely run the offense for the second-straight week. Beyond the challenge of playing Michigan, he'll face a crowd of 106,000 at Michigan Stadium.
"When you think about the reps he got against Ohio State, as tough as that was, that was valuable," Allen says. "You build off that, and then being able to bring us back at the end of the fourth quarter (at Maryland).
"Being put in those situations, you can talk about that and drill it in practice, but you have to experience it."
One thing that helps, Sheridan says, is that McCulley "has improved each day."
That's important, Allen adds, because, "A year ago at this time, he was playing for a (high school) sectional title. That's the reality of where he is. He has had to grow up fast, but his poise and natural confidence are starting to show. This is another opportunity.
"You never know how somebody is going to respond in those adverse conditions. It's going to be a very hostile environment. A lot of fans cheering against him. That will be another growth opportunity for him and our team."
It would help if the rushing attack, which generated 204 yards last week at Maryland, 136 from Stephen Carr, made a major impact.
"Michigan does a great job against the run," Allen says. "We have to create those creases and take advantage when we get them. Our running backs have to run extremely hard and smart. They have to understand the reads and hit their holes appropriately and accurately with precision.
"The best way to support a young quarterback is with a strong running game. We need to do that. It's a huge part of our plan."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Never underestimate the power of a good tight end.
Or, in Indiana's case, three of them.
Yes, Peyton Hendershot gets the bulk of the attention, which happens when you own, or will own, every Hoosier tight end record.
And if you remember the receiving excellence of ex-Hoosier tight end Ted Bolser, that's saying something.
But also consider Matt Bjorson and AJ Barner, who have made major tight-end impacts in receiving, blocking, and special teams under tight ends coach Kevin Wright.
"Peyton Hendershot continues to play at a high level," head coach Tom Allen says. "Just gritty, tough, catching the football, blocking hard, playing hard on special teams. Matt Bjorson, same thing. Playing his tail off. Our tight end room has been a bright spot for our team offensively for sure."
It could get brighter on Saturday night when IU (2-6) plays at No. 7 Michigan (7-1).
"Coach Wright has done an awesome job with that room," offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan says. "They are contributing, not just on offense, but on special teams."
Let's start with Hendershot, who after a tough 2020 season, which followed an outstanding 2019, has made plays all over the field.
The redshirt senior was especially impressive at Maryland, totaling six catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
For the season, he has 35 catches for 447 yards and four touchdowns
"He's played great," Sheridan says. "It seems like every week there's some new record he's setting. His production has been outstanding, his leadership even better. He's done a phenomenal job."
Hendershot was an All-Big Ten force in 2019 with 52 catches for 622 yards and four touchdowns. Injuries and off-field issues led to a disappointing junior season (23 catches, 151 yards, 4 TDs in 8 games).
He vowed to come back better, smarter, fitter and more disciplined, and has delivered. He's made a huge impact on his fellow tight ends, and all the Hoosiers.
"Peyton has led the way," Sheridan says. "His maturing and how far he's come, on and off the field. That's why you coach.
"He's been great. He's made a lot of great catches. He's had a lot of yards after the catch. He's been one of our best players, one of the most productive players in the conference at his position."
In 44 career games, Hendershot has 125 catches for 1,383 yards (both are program tight end records) and 14 TDs (one behind Bolser's IU record).
Then there's Barner (3 catches, 83 yards, 1 touchdown) and Bjorson (3 catches, 24 yards). Barner has two special teams tackles.
The result, Sheridan repeats for emphasis, is, "They've all been contributing."
Tight ends are part of a receiving group that has had to adjust to four different quarterbacks this season because of injuries. Veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuggle remain "week to week" with injuries. True freshman Donaven McCulley and walk-on redshirt sophomore Grant Gremel have taken over the offense.
"You are trying to feature the things that each guy feels most comfortable with," Sheridan says. "Where that can really be a challenge is for the other players. They get into a groove on all the different types of schemes you're trying to run and getting comfortable and familiar with those.
"The guys have adjusted. They've put the work in. We'll work to improve."
Allen talks about "the timing component" and "trying to make up for lost time" involved with the quarterback changes.
"I think the biggest thing we do is try to maximize our practice reps with those guys from a little more work on routes on air. Then some post-practice work as well without trying to put too much on their legs. With some injuries we've had in that (receiving) room, that's become an issue, as well. You don't have to be physical (in practice) to get that timing down.
"Those guys have been working hard on those parts. That's become a major part of our pre-group work has been the routes on air with the tight ends as a group, the running backs as a group, and then the wide receivers as a group."
Sheridan says he doesn't install a new offense for each quarterback.
"It's not wholesale changes in the run and pass. Maybe a different way to do it. You're always looking for ways to help the players that are in there and feature what they do best."
While an official starting quarterback won't be determined until kickoff, McCulley will likely run the offense for the second-straight week. Beyond the challenge of playing Michigan, he'll face a crowd of 106,000 at Michigan Stadium.
"When you think about the reps he got against Ohio State, as tough as that was, that was valuable," Allen says. "You build off that, and then being able to bring us back at the end of the fourth quarter (at Maryland).
"Being put in those situations, you can talk about that and drill it in practice, but you have to experience it."
One thing that helps, Sheridan says, is that McCulley "has improved each day."
That's important, Allen adds, because, "A year ago at this time, he was playing for a (high school) sectional title. That's the reality of where he is. He has had to grow up fast, but his poise and natural confidence are starting to show. This is another opportunity.
"You never know how somebody is going to respond in those adverse conditions. It's going to be a very hostile environment. A lot of fans cheering against him. That will be another growth opportunity for him and our team."
It would help if the rushing attack, which generated 204 yards last week at Maryland, 136 from Stephen Carr, made a major impact.
"Michigan does a great job against the run," Allen says. "We have to create those creases and take advantage when we get them. Our running backs have to run extremely hard and smart. They have to understand the reads and hit their holes appropriately and accurately with precision.
"The best way to support a young quarterback is with a strong running game. We need to do that. It's a huge part of our plan."
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