Checking In: The Hoosiers High School Football Recruits

The high school football season is in full swing and Indiana has a pretty sizeable 2015 football class already in the books. But more importantly after landing their commitments, they need to continue to perform. So, how have the future Hoosiers been doing on the field? Luckily with so many of our commits being either in Indiana or at high profile programs we can tell you exactly that.

First we’re going to start with our instate guys and then work our way to the a little more difficult to find stats for the out of state guys.

Joe Belden – DE – Avon HS

Joe’s Avon Orioles have had a pretty solid season to date. They’re sitting at 4-2 with their two losses coming to powerhouse Ben Davis and a rivalry game against Brownsburg. Particularly in that Brownsburg game the Bulldogs played their hearts out and Avon appeared to do everything they could to give it away. However, on the season Belden has continued to shine. The 6’1" 247 lbs, DE has 30 tackles on the season to go with two sacks. Next up he’ll travel to Westfield tomorrow night.

Brandon Knight – OT – Noblesville

The big guy out of Noblesville is one that is hard to say how his season is going. I haven’t seen Noblesville play this year and stats don’t necessarily do a good job (or any job) when it comes to tracking offensive linemen. So we’re just going to take a shot in the dark and say he should be a 5 star instead of the 3 that Rivals gives him. Noblesville plays Hamilton Southeastern tomorrow night.

Jacob Robinson – DE – Westfield

Robinson will be squaring off with fellow IU recruit Belden’s Orioles tomorrow night in what should be a hell of a game. Robinson also has 30 tackles on the season, but is outpacing Belden with 6 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Westfield sits at 4-2 on the season after an 8 tackle performance against Brownsburg.

Tommy Stevens – QB – Decatur Central

Stevens is fresh off a visit to Notre Dame where he swears no funny business occurred. Word is he informed IU’s staff before going and was just taking a visit because it was free tickets to a big game. Can’t fault him for that. On the field, the dual threat quarterback has 1,245 yards through the air with 13 touchdowns to 3 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 426 yards. Next up Decatur Central hosts Greenwood.

Next up we have our out of state guys.

Titus Booker – RB/Athlete – Grayslake North (IL)

Booker was recruited as an athlete and likely won’t stick at running back. However, he has 987 yards and 12 touchdowns on 110 carries. Along with the rushing success he has a kick return on special teams. Likely to be a defensive back in college he has the speed to compete at a high level.

Andre Brown – Athlete – Decatur Columbia (GA)

A bit of a do it all guy, he’s started at quarterback, plays safety and has rushing attempts outside of his role as a QB. I could not find stats for the hyper athletic Brown but he will play either CB or Safety at the college level. I get the idea that the staff likely leans corner for him, but he has the ability to move around a bit.

Austin Dorris – TE – Shadyside (OH)

Dorris was recruited as a TE by Indiana and he’s the perfect size and ability for it. He’s one of the guys that I’m more intrigued by coming into the 2015 class. HOWEVER, he plays QB for Shadyside in a bit of a wildcat system. For example, as starting QB last week he threw for 32 yards and ran for 193 and three scores. On the season, he’s passed for half of his 836 rushing yards. A true big bodied athlete that could do wonders in Indiana’s offense.

Hunter Littlejohn – OL – Olentangy Liberty (OH)

Another offensive linemen, he’s probably the greatest thing to come out of Ohio since [insert something really cool to come out of Ohio].

Simon Stepaniak – OL – Ross (OH)

Crap, I should have saved the snark on the last lineman from Ohio for this one. Oh well, such is life. I’m sure he’s been great.

Omari Stringer – OLB – Crete Monee (IL)

Monee is one of those guys that plays LB in high school but is going to have to get bigger if he wants to play there in college. At an undersized 200 lbs. the Illinois native still has 27 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He’s listed as the #15 prospect out of the state of Illinois.

Leon Thorton – WR – Montini (IL)

Thorton’s 3-2 squad has been battling for most of the year and Thorton has some issues with getting targets. Despite that he does the most with what he can get. With just under 15 yards per reception, he’s also recorded 7 TDs on the season. He’s obviously a major scoring threat when you can get him the ball.

Nick Westbrook – WR – Lake Mary (FL)

Recruiting that SEC speed!! Westbrook out of Lake Mary, Florida is a big bodied receiver that can also punish you down the field. At 6-3, 205 he’s averaging 19 yards per reception with six touchdowns. Not too shabby WR class when Thorton and Westbrook combine to have scored on 25% of their touches this year. Just keep that up at the college level, OK?