American football in Indiana got a big boost on Friday night, when Ty Fryfogle announced that he would return for his last season eligibility criteria. Fryfogle, one of the Big Ten’s best players in 2020, was technically a senior this season, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this season did not count towards the eligibility of autumn athletes.
“First of all, I would like to thank God for the opportunity to play football and get a degree from Indiana University,” said Fryfolge. “This year has been filled with many unknowns and ups and downs. But I found a way to make the best of it.
“I had the opportunity to declare myself for the NFL draft. However, after long conversations with my mother, family, friends and coaches, I decided to go back to my last year of eligibility at Indiana University.
“My work here at Indiana University is not over yet. There are many good things in store for this football team in 2021. The future is very bright and I am excited to be part of it. #LEO ”
Fryfogle was an unexpected All-American, as he was always a supporting actor among UI recipients before this fall.
He only got a freshman pass in 2017. In the second year, he took on more duties, registering 29 receptions for 381 yards and three touchdowns. As a junior, he was third on the team, with 45 receptions for 604 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games.
This year, in just seven games, he managed 37 passes for 721 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 19.5 yards per reception. That was well above his average of 13.4 yards per catch last season as a junior.
Earlier this year, he became the first player in the history of the Big Ten to have consecutive 200-yard games, doing so on the road in Michigan and then in undefeated Ohio.
“It’s a really great honor,” said Fryfogle when he was named All American. “I am very grateful to receive this honor. It is a blessing. I just want to end this season in the right way with this football team and achieve victory.”
He will try to play a big role for IU in 2021 again, as the Hoosiers are trying to build an impressive 6-2 season.
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A former three-star recruit from Lucedale (Miss.) George County High School, Fryfolge was ranked player in 1712 and wide receiver in the 2017 class, according to 247Sports Composite. He was also number 41 in Mississippi and chose Hoosiers over other offers from Idaho and Ole Miss.