From under-recruited high school star to one of the most successful wide receivers in program history, Ty Fryfogle has made overcoming the odds a habit on his path to the 2022 NFL Draft. While his scouting report reveals some limitations, Fryfogle has the potential to become the first Indiana WR to be drafted to the NFL in several years.
Ty Fryfogle NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Wide receiver
- School: Indiana
- Current Year: Super senior
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 205 pounds
Ty Fryfogle Scouting Report
Although it’s relatively early in the 2022 NFL Draft process, it is already shaping into an impressive wide receiver class. While Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are considered the headliners, a deep raft of pass-catching talent could challenge the success of last year’s class.
Could Indiana have their first wide receiver drafted since 2014?
Many analysts had a draftable grade on Whop Philyor last year, yet he went undrafted. However, Fryfogle’s scouting report reveals desirable attributes that should see him become a mid-Day 3 contender.
At 6’2″ and 205 pounds, he has the frame of a bigger-bodied possession receiver. Somehow, Fryfogle plays even bigger than his size. He has an impressive catch radius and consistently uses this to pluck the ball out of the air. Furthermore, he effectively uses his frame and physicality to box out defenders, giving him an advantage in contested catch situations.
In addition to his ball skills and physicality, the Indiana WR possesses excellent body control. Using a combination of this body control and great spatial awareness, Fryfogle can make some spectacular catches on the sideline.
As you’d expect from someone who wins with physicality, Fryfogle is also active as a run blocker. He’s more than willing to get involved in this element of the game, a tick in the box for his NFL Draft stock.
Furthermore, while he projects to be an outside receiver at the next level, the Indiana WR has experience playing in the slot. With versatility being an important evaluation element, that will help him find a spot on an NFL roster.
Areas for improvement
Based on his ability to win as a possession receiver, the Indiana WR should find a home on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft. You may expect to see a higher grade with the statistical production that we’re about to discover in his scouting report. However, there are some limitations in Fryfogle’s game that will curtail his rise up NFL Draft boards.
From an athletic standpoint, the Indiana WR lacks long speed. He’s a one-speed runner who doesn’t have the top gear needed to breeze past even the average-speed cornerbacks at the college football level.
Furthermore, there isn’t an explosive element to his athletic profile. In the games studied, there wasn’t an example of Fryfogle winning with speed release at the line of scrimmage. There also wasn’t any evidence of him exhibiting burst out of his route to create separation.
As a result, it isn’t easy to imagine him being able to separate at the NFL level. Additionally, he poses very little threat in terms of yards after the catch. Therefore, Fryfogle’s role will be strictly limited to that of a possession receiver.
Ty Fryfogle Player Profile
Despite setting school receiving records at George County, Fryfogle nearly fell through the cracks as a high school prospect. While he was a three-year starter with 952 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, and first-team All-Region honors as a junior, he wasn’t evaluated by the major recruiting sites for most of his high school career.
However, they were forced to sit up and take notice of the talented pass catcher during his senior season. Fryfogle snagged 1,432 yards and 14 touchdowns on 89 receptions while logging seven 100-yard games and a 200-yard performance. Furthermore, he earned first-team All-State honors in Mississippi.
A latecomer to the rating system, Fryfogle was a three-star recruit who ranked as the 243rd receiver in the class. As most programs had already extended scholarship offers, he was left with just three options for college football. With his father being an Ole Miss alum that played for the Rebels between 2000-2002, there was an expectation that he’d stay in-state and accept an offer from Ole Miss.
However, a home visit from Indiana head coach Tom Allen swayed his decision.
“I was real honored,” Fryfogle told the Sun Herald. “I just got back yesterday, and they came and visited my family. That stood out a whole lot. That meant a lot to me.”
Fryfogle’s career at Indiana
While the personal touch swayed Fryfogle’s decision, there was another factor behind choosing Indiana over Ole Miss. Finding playing time as a freshman can be difficult, especially as an under-recruited prospect. The potential for early game time with the Hoosiers was far more realistic than with the Rebels.
“They told me if I came in and worked hard, that I could see the field real early.”
As a result, Fryfogle made his debut in an early-season game against Virginia. The Indiana WR would go on to play in eight games as a true freshman. However, he only secured 1 reception, a 13-yard grab against Charleston Southern.
That simple statistic sowed the seeds for Fryfogle to grow into one of the most successful receivers in program history. As a sophomore, he was thrice named the Indiana Offensive Player of the Week. In 12 games (including 3 starts), he racked up 381 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
Proving productive ahead of a breakout senior season
The following season, Fryfogle ratcheted up the production again. As a full-time starter, he snagged 45 catches for 604 yards and 3 touchdowns. One of his touchdowns came in a career night against Penn State, where the Indiana WR tallied 131 yards on just 5 receptions that included the 38-yard score.
Despite the disruption of the 2020 season, Fryfogle had a breakout year as a senior. Averaging 19.5 yards per catch, he tallied 721 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Indiana WR broke new ground with his performances. No receiver in Big Ten history had ever had consecutive 200-yard games before he did so against Michigan State and Ohio State.
Unsurprisingly, Fryfogle earned a laundry list of awards for his performances. He became the first Indiana WR ever to be named the Big Ten Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year. Additionally, he was the first Indiana WR since 2007 to be named an All-American, earning third-team honors from the AP. Fryfogle was also named Indiana’s Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year.
Riding the highest-profile wave of his career, the Indiana WR could have declared for the NFL Draft at the end of last season. However, he opted to return to the Hoosiers as a super senior. Fryfogle should earn a selection in the 2022 NFL Draft if he can build on last year’s performances.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report on Ty Fryfogle
Positives: Consistent pass catcher who makes some highlight-reel receptions. Smart and settles into the open spot of the defense. Extends his hands and snatches the ball away from his frame. Nicely adjusts to errant throws and makes difficult catches in contorted positions.
Possesses tremendous focus as well as concentration, uses his frame to shield away opponents, and holds on to the ball after big hits. Sturdy receiver. Battles defenders to come away with the difficult grab. Keeps the play in bounds and works to pick up yardage after the catch.
Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line of scrimmage. Plays to one speed and lacks any sort of quickness or burst. Shows no ability as a vertical receiver.
Analysis: Many were surprised when Fryfogle bypassed last year’s draft and chose to return for another season at Indiana. He’s a possession wideout with reliable hands who will struggle separating in the NFL.