Six Indiana football players receive preseason recognition from Athlon Sports

Athlon Sports activities launched its preseason soccer All-Convention choices on Monday afternoon, naming six Hoosiers to numerous ranges of convention honors.

On the defensive aspect of the ball, Indiana is led by Tiawan Mullen, who earned the cornerback spot in Athlon’s second-team All Massive Ten projections. Fifth yr security Devon Matthews was named to the third workforce, whereas linebacker Cam Jones obtained fourth workforce honors.

Offensive lineman Matthew Bedford was the one offensive participant named for Indiana, making the fourth all-conference offensive workforce. D.J. Matthews, Indiana’s kick returner and high receiver, was named fourth workforce all specialist, alongside kicker Charles Campbell.

Indiana’s six gamers named marks a steep downturn from final season, when Athlon had 10 Hoosiers of their all-conference rankings, together with Michael Penix as the primary workforce All-Massive Ten quarterback. Final yr’s 10 gamers had been good for second within the convention, whereas there at the moment are ten groups with extra all convention gamers than the Hoosiers going into 2022.

A few of the drop off was absolutely as a result of harm, as Tiawan Mullen went from a primary workforce all convention decide to 3rd convention after a season of battling accidents in 2021. If he’s in a position to stay wholesome all season, Mullen actually has the potential to outplay that third workforce projection and set up himself as one of many league’s greatest defenders once more.

However, Indiana followers ought to possibly be aware of the insecurity the nationwide reporters have within the Hoosiers’ hopes for an offensive revival for this season. Matthews appeared like an elite receiver at factors final season, however at this level, it’s not clear who will likely be tasked with getting the ball to him and what sort of safety the road will be capable of present.

Athlon’s rankings as a complete, unsurprisingly, had been dominated by the Massive Ten East. The highest three groups by way of gamers honored had been all from the Japanese division of the convention, with Michigan and Ohio State main the way in which, adopted intently by Michigan State.

After all, final yr’s rankings ended up being a poor predictor of Indiana’s success. Indiana could have a roster filled with undiscovered gems, or Walt Bell often is the coordinator of the yr.

He will not be that nice, however that’s the fantastic thing about the preseason.