Indiana came into the 2013 recruiting class looking to bolster its options for the future at tight end. In less than two weeks, that goal has been realized.
Tight end Danny Friend, a three-star prospect from Morris (Ill.) Community, committed to Indiana on Thursday, joining Evan Jansen at the position in the 2013 class. Friend confirmed his commitment to InsideIndiana.com on Friday morning.
Jansen and Friend each carry an overall rating of 85, making them the joint highest-rated players thus far in the recruiting class.
A 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect out of Morris, Friend also had offers from Oregon, Purdue, Boston College, Minnesota and a number of MAC schools. The Hoosiers, however, were his first BCS offer, and he has spoken highly of the program since IU coach Kevin Wilson extended that scholarship promise in April.
“I really like coach Wilson," Friend said after picking up his offer about three months ago. "I like the way he handles practice and how he's up front with everything. I really like (offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Seth) Littrell the tight ends coach and how he's up front and how he ran practice and how they get after it. My recruiting coach, (defensive tackles coach Mark) Hagen has done a nice job keeping in communication with me and talking about everything.”
Indiana is likely now done at the tight end position in 2013, having taken a pair of prospects to reinforce those ranks for the future. Friend is the No. 35 tight end in the country in his class, and the No. 18 player in the state of Illinois.
- Zach Osterman
- Indiana Insider - InsideIndiana