Early Look At 2016 IUFB Commits: Offensive Skill Positions

It’s still very early in the 2016 recruiting process for Kevin Wilson and his coaching staff, but the class is already starting to take form.

Wilson has managed to earn at least one verbal commitment from each offensive skill position. He’s also grabbed a pair of versatile defensive linemen, added an offensive tackle, and filled three out of four secondary spots.

All together, Wilson has 10 commitments from the 2016 class, the majority of which are rated three stars by multiple major recruiting outlets. That’s a good start, and it gives Wilson the ability to build around an early core to bring in even better talent, a task that the fifth year Indiana head coach continues to improve on with each recruiting season.

In a three-part overview, I will take a look at the various position groups that make up the first 10 commits in the 2016 class. To start, let’s look at the offensive skill positions:

Quarterback

Peyton Ramsey – 6-2/190 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Style: Pocket Passer
IU Comparison: Cameron Coffman (2012-13)

Ramsey is the quarterback of the class, and he reminds me a lot of former IU quarterback Cameron Coffman in a lot of ways. The skill set is nearly identical.

Ramsey displays simply average arm strength, however he has good touch and accuracy on the ball, even if it doesn’t always look pretty. While he isn’t a dynamic scrambling quarterback, he has solid footwork and pocket mobility to help escape pressure.

What makes him a good fit for Wilson’s offense is his decision-making and quick release. He will be the type of quarterback who will have no problem hitting the underneath and short, outside routes that offensive coordinator Kevin Johns loved to run last season.

Running Back

Tyus Flakes – 5-9/200 - Auburn, Ala.
Style: Balanced
IU Comparison: D’Angelo Roberts (2011-14)

Between skill set and size, the comparison between Flakes and Roberts is spot on. Flakes is the type of back that can do a little bit of it all, but doesn’t have a tool that stands out over the rest.

Flakes can run between the tackles like a bulldozer, he can bounce it outside to reach the first down pylon and he can lower his shoulder to gain an extra yard or two. Flakes’ high running style is reminiscent of Roberts, and it gives him that extra strength in order to break through arm tackles.

Flakes’ versatility makes him a good fit for Wilson’s air raid offense. Not every running back has the ability to take handoffs in a shotgun heavy scheme, but Flakes’ ability to bounce to the outside then aggressively cut up field will do well with a zone-blocking scheme. I like Flakes to be a potential three down back due to his combination of size and skill.

Cole Gest – 5-7/191 - Lakewood, Ohio
Style: Speed
IU Comparison: watered-down Tevin Coleman (2012-14)

Now hold on a second, don’t get TOO excited about the Tevin Coleman comparison. While Gest plays a similar game to Coleman, by no means do I expect Gest to become as good – or even close to as good – as one of the greatest football players in IU history.

Gest’s best quality is his quick burst. This gives him the ability to both explode through the line of scrimmage and separate from trailing defenders. He also is good at cutting up field when running to the outside. That’s where most of his yards will be gained at the college level. He also displays good hands and route running ability out of the backfield.

Similar to Coleman, Gest won’t wow you with one-on-one juke moves or cut backs, but in Wilson’s zone blocking scheme, Gest will be a big play candidate every time he touches the ball. I could see Gest and Flakes eventually giving Wilson a similar one-two punch that Coleman and Roberts supplied the Hoosiers last season.

Wide Receiver

Phil Benker – 6-2/195 - Jacksonville, Fla.
Style: Possession
IU Comparison: Kofi Hughes (2010-13)

Remember in 2013 when Hughes made that ridiculous jumping catch over a Michigan defender, then took the ball 67 yards for a touchdown? And the countless other times Hughes made seemingly impossible jump ball catches look easy?

Well that’s Benker’s bread and butter. That also happens to be the biggest weakness in IU’s current crop of receivers, so Benker may have an opportunity to step in and make big plays early in his college career.

Benker shows weakness in his flat-line speed and burst. There isn’t a cornerback in the Big Ten that Benker can outrun. But if a future IU quarterback puts Benker in a jump ball position, he should be able to out-jump, out-muscle and out-will defenders to make spectacular catches.

He will be most dangerous in the red zone. If Benker can bring his ball skills to the next level, Wilson will love calling his number inside the 10-yard line.

Look for the second installment of this three part series on the three secondary commitments later in the week.

You can follow Ben Faunce on Twitter @ben_faunce.