Philyor announces he’s pursuing a pro career
This blog is going to miss Whop Philyor.
The fun he had in press conferences, the fun he had on the field — all of it made for an enjoyable four-year ride with the Tampa-born receiver. Unfortunately, that ride came to an end on Saturday, when Philyor announced he would not take advantage of an available fifth year of eligibility and would instead begin preparing for the NFL Draft.
“As a freshman attending Indiana University, I did not know what to expect,” Philyor wrote in a message posted to Twitter. “One thing my brothers and I knew we were going to change the culture of Indiana football. Throughout our journey, there were many ups and downs, but we grew as a team and as a community. I’ve met some extraordinary people who taught me valuable lessons that will last a lifetime. I’ve gained lifelong friends and memories that I will always cherish.
“My time here has changed me and taught me many things. After long and thought-out discussions with family and close friends, I decided that it is time for me to move to the next level in life and pursue my dream of playing in the NFL. God has brought me to this point in life. Without him, I would not be the man I am today. I want to give a special thanks to Coach Tom Allen, Grant Heard, Christa Sist-Morris, and the rest of the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity when no one else did. Thank you, Hoosier Nation, for your love and support. You will always be my family. Your favorite Burger is out!
Our favorite burger, indeed.
From his channeling of the Tasmanian Devil to his eagerness to eat Penn State, Philyor made his mark. On the field, he was one of the most productive receivers in program history, finishing his career with the fourth-most receptions (180) and the ninth-most receiving yards (2,067) in the IU record book.
With Philyor gone, Florida State transfer D.J. Matthews could be among those counted on to replace his production. But really, Indiana has a whole lot of options in the passing game, with returners like Ty Fryfogle, Jacolby Hewitt, Miles Marshall and Javon Swinton. Then there are the incoming freshmen, Jaquez Smith and Jordyn Williams. Others could emerge, too.
Still, there will never be another Whop.
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