Hoosier State of Mind
Fansided

Indiana Football: Donavan Hale named Big Ten sleeper for 2019

By Alec Lasley

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Donavan Hale #6 of the Indiana Hoosiers scores a touchdown during the first half against the FIU Golden Panthers at Ricardo Silva Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Donavan Hale #6 of the Indiana Hoosiers scores a touchdown during the first half against the FIU Golden Panthers at Ricardo Silva Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

As we approach the 2019 season, Indiana football’s Donavan Hale was named a sleeper in the Big Ten according to Rivals.com.

The college football season is only a couple of weeks away, weird to say, and there continues to be a lot of build up around the Indiana football program. After two seasons falling one win short of a bowl game, the Hoosiers look to use their talented skill players to lead them to one in 2019.

Rivals.com came out with five sleepers in the Big Ten that could put up big numbers, both in real life and in a fantasy style format. One of those players named was Indiana’s Donavan Hale. The fifth year wide receiver is returning as one of Hoosier State of Mind’s breakout candidates for 2019. This is what Rivals had to say about Hale.

"“At every stop along the way, new Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer has improved offenses and passing games. This should help the Hoosiers this season because they have a quality quarterback and many standout receivers, including Nick Westbrook and Hale. I chose Hale here because he had nearly as many receiving yards last season as Westbrook (590 to 508) but two more receiving touchdowns. Indiana has competent quarterbacks, so whoever is throwing the ball should find Hale and Westbrook often and some big plays could happen. The first two games against Ball State and Eastern Illinois should be great for fantasy points and then UConn and its miserable defense comes to Bloomington in late September.”"

For most people not keeping up closely with the Indiana program, Hale is a name that doesn’t stick out considering he has played alongside Nick Westbrook, J-Shun Harris, and Simmie Cobbs for his entire career. After showing his ability in 2018 however, Hale is in store for a big year.

Next. 3 Predictions For IU's 2019 Season. dark

After leading the team in touchdowns (6), second in receptions (42) and yards (508), the combination of Kalen DeBoer and a new offensive system could provide Hale the tools to be a star.

Indiana gets their 2019 season underway with a 12 pm kickoff on August 31 against Ball State at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Home/Indiana Football