The 2017 Indiana University football season didn’t end how Hoosier fans hoped. At 5-7 IU missed an opportunity to be bowl eligible for the third straight year, gave the Old Oaken Bucket back to Purdue, and failed to “break through” under new Head Coach Tom Allen. The season was not a complete loss however, and with a better than normal 2018 recruiting class and many players returning next year, especially on offense, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. The 2018 schedule even let’s up a little as well, although the usual B1G East suspects are still there of course.
Irrespective of how you might feel about the ultimate outcome of the 2017 season, the Hoosiers undoubtedly had some great individual performances. To that end, several Indiana players received post-season recognition for their accomplishments. We have summarized those below:
FIRST TEAM ALL BIG TEN
Tegray Scales, Simmie Cobbs, Griffin Oakes
SECOND TEAM ALL BIG TEN
Rashard Fant
HONORABLE MENTION ALL BIG TEN
Ian Thomas, Wes Martin, Luke Timian, Chris Covington, Jonathan Crawford, Chase Dutra, J-Shun Harris II, Robert McCray III, Haydon Whitehead.
ACADEMIC ALL BIG TEN
Johnny Albomonte, Ben Bach, Justin Berry, Joshua Brown, Andre Brown Jr., Drew Conrad, Rashard Fant, Chris Gajcak, Cole Gest, Dan Godsil, Isaac James, Hunter Littlejohn, Wes Martin, Peyton Ramsey, Jacob Robinson, Connor Thomas, Ryan Watercutter and Nick Westbrook.
B1G BAKKEN-ANDERSEN KICKER OF THE YEAR
Griffin Oakes
BIG TEN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Danny Friend
EAST WEST SHRINE GAME INVITATION
Tegray Scales
SENIOR BOWL INVITATION
Ian Thomas
NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL
Chris Covington
TROPICAL BOWL
Richard Lagow
Tony Fields
BTN ALL FRESHMAN TEAM
Peyton Ramsey (1st team), Morgan Ellison (honorable mention), Whop Philyor (honorable mention), Jerome Johnson (honorable mention)
AWARDS GRANTED BY TEAM AT 2017 BANQUET
- Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Morgan Ellison
- Defensive Newcomer of the Year: Raheem Layne
- Ted Whereatt “Senior Academic Excellence” Award: Rashard Fant
- Ted Verlihay “Mental Attitude” Award: Danny Friend
- Corby Davis Memorial Award (Outstanding Back): Ricky Brookins
- Howard Brown “Dedication to IU Football” Award: Nate Hoff
- Chris Dal Sasso Award (Outstanding Lineman): Greg Gooch, Wes Martin
- Harold Mauro “Loyalty to IU Football” Award: Tony Fields
- Terry P. Cole Award (Old Oaken Bucket Game MVP): Chase Dutra, Griffin Oakes
- Offensive Scout Team Players of the Year: Alex Rodriguez, Nick Tronti
- Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year: Joshua Brown
- Outstanding Walk-On Player of the Year: Ben Bach
- Special Teams Player of the Year: Chase Dutra
- Most Outstanding Specialist of the Year: Griffin Oakes
- Offensive Player of the Year: Simmie Cobbs Jr.
- Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Covington
- Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player: Tegray Scales
- Team Captains: Greg Gooch, Richard Lagow, Wes Martin, Tegray Scales
- LEO Award: Richard Lagow
Photo Credit – Michael Hickey/Getty Images
