Hoosiers in the pros: NFL Preseason Week 1

Welcome Week in Bloomington is officially underway, which means that the 2022 NFL season is just around the corner. Seven players from Indiana’s 2021 roster are currently in camp with various teams, here’s how they’re doing through one week of preseason action:

Micah McFadden - LB

McFadden was selected by the New York Giants in the 5th round (146th overall). The only Hoosier selected in the draft, McFadden has looked quite good thus far for Big Blue. He’s listed as the 3rd-string Mike (middle) linebacker. McFadden recorded four tackles in the Giants’ preseason opener, including one made in kick coverage. Here’s a cut-up of some of his defensive snaps (88.4 PFF grade!!!):

Micah looks to be a contributor at the NFL level. Consensus from NYG media seems to be that he’ll hop 2nd-stringer Carter Coughlin on the depth chart any day now. McFadden will see meaningful snaps this season

Raheem Layne - S

Raheem Layne signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in late April. He’s currently 3rd on the depth chart at strong safety, and Twitter buzz says Layne is having a good camp. He recorded two tackles in the Bolts’ preseason opener vs. the Los Angeles Rams.

Ty Fryfogle - WR

Despite promising projections after the 2019 and 2020 seasons and a solid combine, Ty Fry went undrafted and signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He was inactive due to a hamstring injury in the Cowboys’ first preseason game, and was waived with an injury designation yesterday:

Peyton Hendershot - TE

Peyton Hendershot also ended up in camp with the Dallas Cowboys after going undrafted. Despite being listed at the bottom of the depth chart, Hendershot has done well in training camp thus far. In his first preseason game he recorded two catches for 13 yards, here’s a look at a would-be third grab that was negated by a flag:

Ryder Anderson - DT

Anderson spent his final college season in Bloomington after four years at Ole Miss. He is currently in New York Giants training camp alongside Micah McFadden. NYG has him listed as a defensive tackle which is... interesting. He primarily played EDGE for the Hoosiers, but defensive coordinator Don Martindale may see promise in Anderson’s 6’6” frame. That sort of range can keep multiple interior offensive linemen occupied at once, making life a lot easier for first-round selection Kayvon Thibodeaux. Here’s a highlight from New York’s first preseason game:

Caleb Jones - OT

Caleb Jones is a large human. He’s 6’9” and was listed at 362 pounds in his last season with Indiana. He’s big, almost too big, but the Green Bay Packers found his potential too enticing to pass up and brought him into camp. HC Matt LaFleur has got to be feeling pretty good about the gamble, as Jones is reportedly down to 338 pounds and has been getting second-team reps at right tackle. He’s a project, to be sure, but don’t be shocked if you see Caleb Jones on an NFL roster in the next couple years. The Green Bay practice squad is a fair expectation for the time being.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball - LB

McCrary-Ball is probably the guy that I have the most hope for (aside from Micah) in terms of making it in the NFL. As professional football becomes more and more position-less, hybrid guys are going to become more and more valuable to coaches. We’re getting closer and closer to a coordinator legitimately implementing an “11 athletic freaks” defensive scheme, and ‘Lino’s time at HUSKY (IU’s linebacker/safety hybrid) will make him a great fit when that day comes.

Anyways, McCrary-Ball is in camp with the San Francisco 49ers. He’s listed as a linebacker, currently 3rd-string as a ‘Mike’. Here he is recording an interception and a really nice return:

Ball carrier in space! Run him out there on O, Kyle, I dare you.

In summary, our guys look good! Check back here periodically for updates on all the Hoosiers in the NFL, there are seemingly more and more of them to keep track of each year.