Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 55 Days (Mike McGinnis)

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

#55

We are officially under the eight-week mark until Indiana hosts Ohio State to kickoff the 2017 season. Day 55 on our Countdown to IUFB Kickoff will feature a player who should provide some immediate help with replacing the production lost from Marcus Oliver bolting early to the NFL Draft. Mike McGinnis has come from the JUCO ranks to reinforce IU’s linebacker corps. 

Mike McGinnis (Redshirt Junior)

-Height: 6’2”

-Weight: 225 pounds

-Hometown: Allentown, New Jersey

-Position: Linebacker

One of the biggest questions heading into practice this spring was who will replace tackling and fumble forcing machine Marcus Oliver. The Hoosiers have some players already on the roster who are ready to step in, but felt that they needed more quality depth and that’s what they have in JUCO transfer Mike McGinnis.

McGinnis is from Allentown, N.J. where he played his high school ball for Jay Graber at Allentown H.S. He earned the respect of his teammates and coaches by being named captain his senior year and earned the team’s defensive MVP. He was named first team all-area and all-conference by making 87 tackles, 19 TFLs and 5.5 sacks, while forcing three fumbles and picking off a pass.

The redshirt junior will have two years of eligibility at IU. He started his college career by walking on to the Miami (FL) program before heading to ASA (N.Y.) College to hone his skills at the Junior College level.

At ASA, McGinnis flourished for two seasons at linebacker. He was a two-time captain and excelled on and off the field earning all-conference and Academic All-American honors in his two seasons in Brooklyn.

In 2016, McGinnis earned JUCO All-American honors as he recorded 91 tackles, 18 TFLs, 2.5 sacks as well as three forced fumbles and an interception. In his two seasons at ASA College McGinnis accounted for 165 tackles, 33 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.

McGinnis was in for spring practice, which will help him adjust to the defense immensely and ease his transition to the Big Ten. While Chris Covington may be penciled in as Oliver’s replacement early in the year, fans should not be shocked to see McGinnis getting lots of reps behind the senior. If McGinnis keeps his knack for having a nose for the ball, it’ll be difficult for Tom Allen to keep him on the sidelines.

We hope everyone is enjoying the Countdown to IUFB Kickoff. We want to make sure everyone receives their Hoosier Huddle apparel before the season starts. In order to have it for the Ohio State game, purchases have to be in by July 13th. ORDER HERE!