Hoosier State of Mind
Fansided

Indiana Football: 3 breakout candidates during spring practice

By Alec Lasley

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Indiana Hoosiers helmets are warmed on the sidelines before the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on November 16, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Indiana Hoosiers helmets are warmed on the sidelines before the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on November 16, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Indiana Football. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
Indiana Football. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

1. Matt Bjorson

Following the 2019 season, I don’t think anyone expected to hear or see much from Matt Bjorson on the offensive side of the ball in 2020. After the recent news regarding the suspension of Peyton Hendershot, however, Bjorson becomes an important piece to the puzzle.

Bjorson finished last year with seven catches for 36 yards and a touchdown while playing behind the All-Big Ten Third-Team selection in Hendershot. Though nobody will expect Bjorson to be someone to put up numbers similar to Hendershot, being a critical fixture on third down could be the role he finds himself in.

The soon-to-be junior tight end has a very similar build to Hendershot. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, and although different skillsets, Bjorson can be very valuable in short-yardage situations.

Early on last season, Michael Penix developed a good relationship with Hendershot and with his desire to spread the ball around, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Bjorson develop that relationship with Penix this spring.

With the suspension of Hendershot indefinite and his situation still up in the air, a breakthrough spring for Bjorson could be on the horizon.

Home/Indiana Football