When Jerimy Finch transferred from the University of Florida to Indiana following his freshman season, those around the IU football program believed they had inherited a game-changing player. Two disappointing seasons later, IU announced Friday that Finch will not be returning for his senior season. No reasons were given in a short, two-paragraph news release. Coming out of Warren Central High School, where his teams won four state championships and he was a two-time all-state selection, Finch was one of the top-rated players in the country. Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 1 safety in the nation and both rivals and scout.com ranked him as the top player in Indiana in the 2007 class. Now it appears Finch will conclude his eligibility at a Division I-AA school, according to his former high school coach Steve Tutsie. Tutsie said he spoke with Finch this week and his former player asked him if he could help make some contacts for possible future playing destinations. "I think he wants to play Division I-AA because he doesn't want to sit out, and I think that would be detrimental to him," Tutsie said. "I think what Jerimy needs to do right now is to get away and maybe play where nobody knows him. I just think he needs to try and get back to doing the kinds of things that made him a great player in high school.'' At Florida, Finch played linebacker before a broken leg sustained early in the season cost him that year. He transferred to IU in the summer of '08 and was moved to safety. He was never able to put things together at safety or at IU. He played a total of 12 games in two years, and was credited with six total tackles. Last season he played seven games and did not make a single tackle. Finch will likely have two seasons of eligibility remaining. After he plays his senior year this fall, he could appeal to the NCAA for a medical redshirt for his season at Florida. Under NCAA rules, a player cannot make that appeal until his regular eligibility ends. "I haven't been privy to how he has practiced at IU or anything like that, but I can't believe there are many players with better ball skills than Jerimy,'' Tutsie said. "Everyone is running a spread offense and that means two things for your safeties. They had better be able to cover and they had better be able to hit. "I just think he's a good middle of the field guy who can still make plays.'' "We thank Jerimy for his contributions to the program and wish him the best of luck in future endeavors,'' IU coach Bill Lynch said in the news release.
Betrayal, Excitement, Anger, Frustration, and Promise are probably all words that have popped in your head regarding Jerimy Finch. Regarded as one of the best prospects in the state of Indiana, many Hoosiers fans felt a lot of excitement when he first committed to the Hoosiers. The excitement was quickly faded when he committed to Michigan and Florida all in the same year. Just when Hoosier fans were getting over his de-commitment it was announced he was transferring back to the Hoosier state. This led to more excitement for Hoosier fans imagining the potential he had and what it meant for the Hoosier squad. After his first season here at IU it was apparent that we wouldn't be getting an instant upgrade at safety and a possible early pick in the NFL draft. His exciting plays on special teams were often over shadowed with frustration and confusion among Hoosier fans when he couldn't get much playing time on defense. After last season most Hoosier fans had very low expectations for him going into the 2010 season.
However, after attending almost all of the spring practices I saw a player that was ready to turn the corner and surprise all Hoosier fans. A few former players had said how great of an off season he had and all the progress he was making understanding the defensive schemes. Finch did a great job this off season and was starting to emerge as a leader on the defense. You could find Finch speaking up more during practices and directing younger players into there proper spots on defense. Many young players started talking about how he was becoming someone that people were looking up to.
As the announcement today that he would no longer be on the Hoosier squad I would like to take this time to bid farewell to Jerimy Finch. Although it has been a roller coaster ride with him I was confident that he was going to surprise people next season. Although he won't be doing it in a Hoosier uniform, I wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors and hope that he flashes the potential that he has wherever he lands. Hopefully Jerimy will be remembered for his contributions on special teams and how hard he worked this off season. It is unfortunate that Hoosier fans won't see him in an IU uniform next season but I wish him the best of luck going forward. Take care of your business off the field and keep working hard on your game and you will be a successful football player.
Jerimy Finch's arrival at Indiana in the summer of 2008 generated great excitement and anticipation. The Florida transfer was pegged as a difference-maker for Indiana's secondary in his return home (he grew up in Indianapolis).
But things never worked out for Finch at IU, and Friday the school announced that the safety is leaving the team to "pursue other options outside the program." Finch appeared in 12 games for Indiana, mostly on special teams, and recorded two fumble recoveries last season.
"We thank Jerimy for his contributions to the program and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors," Indiana head coach Bill Lynch said in a statement.
Finch dealt with some personal issues during the first part of his Indiana career, but he participated in spring practice and seemed like a good candidate to be Indiana's nickel back this fall. The Hoosiers also must replace both of their starters at safety.
"Jerimy's had a good spring," co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach Joe Palcic told me in April. "We've been a little bit down on him, but he's had a good spring, and I think he'll have a chance to help us. ... It's definitely been a process, and he's finally taking it seriously, too. His biggest problem was just his ability to stay on keys and do the right things in coverage. He's doing a good job of concentrating, and he's finally in position now where he's about ready to step up and play for us."
That's obviously not going to happen now. It will be interesting to see if Finch continues his football career, and where he catches on.
DE John Laihinen (6-3, 240), Homestead and OL Ethan Peck (6-5, 265), Nicolet will be preferred walk-ons at IU next season. I will post up more about then when I get more information.
Paterno said the Big Ten is "on the verge" of a key decision and continued to advocate the need to expand the league. "The Big Ten, with the kind of programs we have, the universities we have, there’s got to be a couple of schools out there that would be an asset to us," he said. "I don’t think it’s fair for me to say which ones, but I hope we get somebody from the East. It’ll help us with the New York and the New Jersey television markets. But [commissioner] Jim Delany’s working hard on this thing and when they come up with some kind of a plan, it will be a good one."
On the potential for superconferences in college football: "I'd like to know the pros and cons if we go to 16 [teams] as opposed to go to 12. The future is probably going to be 16-team conferences. That probably will be the future because of the television markets and the chances to have meaningful conference championship games and things of that nature."
On whether he stumps for Pitt as a Big Ten expansion candidate: "I don’t think coaches have anything to say about that. The Big Ten is not a coaches’ conference as far as setting rules and goals for the conference and so forth. ... Jim Delany knows what he’s doing, he’s got a good staff and he’s working hard on trying to put the best arrangements together. Now if Pitt’s part of it, then that’s fine, but it won’t do me any good to call him and say, 'What about Pitt?' It won't hurt, but it won't do any good."
North running back D’Angelo Roberts was visited on campus today by the Penn State coaching staff. It is the second visit to North for Penn State as it evaluates the Cougars’ record-setting rusher. Roberts also spoke with coach Joe Paterno on Saturday
TheBroncosand seventh round draft pickJammie Kirlewhave come to an agreement on a four year $1.84 million dollar contract with a $50,000 signing bonus. With this signing, Denver has signed both of their seventh round draft picks from the 2010 draft. Last week Denver and cornerbackSyd’Quan Thompsonfrom Cal came to terms on a four year $1.8 million dollar contract.
Kirlew was a three year starter and two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection atIndiana University. He tied for third on the school’s all-time sacks list with 23 and tied for second on its all-time tackles for loss list with 52 1/2. In 2009, he tied for sixth in the nation with five forced fumbles and had three fumble recoveries. Kirlew ended the year with 62 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks making second-team all-conference. At 6-foot-3 and 264 pounds, Kirlew has talent as a pass rusher and held his own against the run in theBig Ten conference.
Jammie is a tweener prospect that will be converted into a 3-4 linebacker in Denver’s Fairbanks-Bullough 3-4 scheme. He is the type of playerJosh McDanielswants, a tough, hardnosed player with tremendous work ethic and intelligence. He always plays with a high motor and typically wins matchups due to this rather than with athleticism. Jammie has been known to make plays off the edge, but he doesn’t have that initial burst or quickness to close in on the ball. He doesn’t work well in the “phone booth” which is another reason why he will be converted to a linebacker. If you don’t work well in the “phone booth”, you can’t successfully play defensive end in the NFL. Scouts say that he is the typical overachiever and his skill set may not translate to the next level.
Even though Kirlew will be converted to linebacker, he will have to fight for playing time due to his lack of great athleticism. In order for most seventh round picks to make any team in the NFL, they have to be able to contribute on special teams. That’s most likely the path that Kirlew will have to take to make the opening day roster for the Broncos. One thing to keep in mind though, it takes three to four years for college defensive ends to make the transition to outside linebackers in the NFL. So don’t give up on Jammie or sell him short of one day becoming a good or great linebacker for the Broncos.James Harrisonis a prime example of how a late round pick is usually given up on too early and then becomes a force in the league.
Tandon Doss’s breakout sophomore season caught the eye of college football preseason magazine guru Phil Steele. Steele named Doss as one of three wide receivers on his preseason All-Big Ten first team along with Purdue’s Keith Smith and Ohio State’s Devier Posey. Steele gave three other Indiana football players mention on his four All-Big Ten teams. Wide receiver Damarlo Belcher and Darius Willis were both named to the third team. Chris Hagerup was named the fourth-team punter.
Going ... Rodger Saffold, LT: He didn't get a ton of pub during his college career, but Saffold showed everyone what they missed during predraft workouts. The second-team All-Big Ten selection soared up the draft boards and was the second Big Ten offensive lineman to hear his name called, as St. Louis selected him with the first pick of the second round. Saffold protected Ben Chappell's blind side as Indiana ranked second in the league in fewest sacks allowed (16).
Matt Mayberry, LB: Defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton had value as well, but Mayberry was the heart and soul of Indiana's defense the last two years. He led the team with 108 tackles and ranked second on the squad in tackles for loss (11), sacks (5.5) and interceptions (3). Mayberry started the final 24 games of his career and finished with 251 tackles.
Staying ... Tandon Doss, WR: If you're in a college football fantasy league and want to beat your buddies, pick Doss if he's available. He quietly earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after recording 77 receptions for 962 yards and five touchdowns, ranking second in the league in receiving yards. This guy has legit NFL potential, and he could produce some big numbers this fall.
Ben Chappell, QB: Chappell finished third in the league in passing average last fall (245.1 ypg), and if he can cut down on his interceptions, he should have a monster senior season. He's no stranger to the spotlight and will have one of the Big Ten's best group of wide receivers and tight ends at his disposal this fall.
Coming ... Jeff Thomas, LB: The junior college transfer should play a significant role this fall as Indiana transitions to the 3-4 defensive alignment. Thomas was on campus this spring and likely will back up Tyler Replogle this season. He boasts good size at 6-foot-1 and 249 pounds, and he earned first-team All-American honors for Foothill Junior College last fall. Thomas recorded four tackles in the spring game.
Andre Kates, CB: After some wavering before signing day, Kates pledged to Indiana and provided a major jolt for the Hoosiers' recruiting class. The junior college transfer not only fills a glaring need in the secondary, but he brings a strong skill set to the defensive backfield. A one-time Florida commit who had to get his grades right at ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y., Kates should make an immediate impact this fall.
Former IU running back Chris Taylor signed a contract with the New England Patriots, the team announced Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Taylor originally signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2006, and joined the Patriots in training camp last season. After injuring his shoulder, he stayed on New England’s injured-reserved list before his one-year contract expired.
Taylor was last seen by Hoosier fans running for 740 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2005. He broke through in a Sept. 17 game against Kentucky, rushing for 176 yards on 17 carries.
So far in his NFL career, Taylor has accumulated 160 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. He is considered a long-shot to make New England’s roster, as he joins six other running backs looking for playing time.
This past Friday 2010 Hoosier commit Harrison Scott played in the Ohio All-Star game. From what I have read on the message boards from people who attended the event they have mentioned how the Hoosiers have gotten a steal in Scott. They note that he seemed much faster in person than he does on tape, he has improved the use of his hands on the line, and that he should be a nice surprise for Hoosier fans down the road. Although the following interview doesn't feature Scott it does do a good job on what the game means to the players participating. I should also mention that 2 other Hoosier commits were listed on rosters for the game, Pete Bachman and Chase Hoobler.
