Fun-loving Wynn out to prove Hoosiers no joke
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Shane Wynn, a prankster, is keeping a straight face as he gets a dose of his own medicine.
Speaking with three reporters after practice, Wynn offers no response to the sight of teammate Kofi Hughes grinning childishly and doing an uncoordinated jig a few feet away. Finally, Hughes gives up and jogs off to the showers.
And Wynn carries on with what he does best: talking, while never losing focus on the ultimate goal.
Last week, Wynn, Hughes and the rest of the Indiana Hoosiers’ wide receiver corps took a break from the monotony of fall camp and caught a movie together.
-Just bonding time,” Wynn said. -Being around each other, trusting each other. That’s important. Coming out of high school, you’ve got that edge. Once you get to college, everybody’s good. When the team is down, I’m there to pick us up and just laugh or goof around to let them know it’s good to have fun while you’re learning.”
As usual, Wynn – a 5-foot-7 speedster who lines up in the slot – is in the middle of everything for the Hoosiers, and there’s a method to his madness. During games, he never yaps at opponents, but off the field, Indiana’s tiny junior is a chatterbox, one of the more prominent personalities on an improving roster.
-He’s one of our best leaders,” said coach Kevin Wilson, mimicked in a recent meeting by Wynn and the receivers who stood in the style of Wilson to answer questions.
[Editor’s Note: Wynn explains that prank, impersonates Wilson and more in video shot by ISL’s Chris Goff below.]
Wilson doesn’t mind the occasional antics because Wynn is one of the top players on a team that went 4-8 last season. Wynn caught 68 passes for 660 yards and six touchdowns.
-He backs it up with the way he plays,” Wilson said. -He’s got a good voice. Shane talks but he also backs it up. That’s why it’s good talk. If he didn’t play that way, he’d be a hollow log.”
Wynn’s out to prove that Hoosiers football is no laughing matter. With just one bowl appearance to speak of since 1993, rebuilding won’t be easy. But Wynn has figured out that winning starts with a spirit of camaraderie and unity. He’s spreading the message.
-He made a comment the other day,” Wilson said, -‘I didn’t start my freshmen year because my attitude wasn’t very good. They were yelling. I just didn’t buy in.’ He’s getting the point of more guys showing what it looks like.”
Wynn’s a perfect example, having posted at least five catches in seven games last year and making eight 20-yard receptions. Named honorable mention All-Big Ten, Wynn wasn’t satisfied, either. He spent the offseason improving his strength and conditioning, sharpening his mental faculties, reviewing film to scout opponent tendencies, working on route-running and visiting with NFL veterans Ted Ginn Jr. and Joe Haden in Cleveland, Wynn’s hometown.
And, of course, enjoying the company of his football friends here in Bloomington.
-I’m always an energy builder,” Wynn said. -I like to have fun.”
In fact, Wynn’s an ambassador for the team around campus, prodding students to come out to Memorial Stadium on Saturdays.
-Everybody knows who I am because I play around a lot,” Wynn said. -Just try to bring as many people as we can to support us.”
Wilson says Wynn’s had a great camp, but Wynn insists he’s not concentrating on having a big season individually. After rushing just twice in 2012, he just expects to touch the ball in a wider variety of ways that utilize his speed: bubble screens, reverses and quick slants.
-I’ll be doing a lot of stuff, just all-around,” said Wynn, who noted the offense is quickening an already-fast tempo. -I’m a team player.”
That’s why he’s OK with exposing his 167-pound frame to violent collisions between the hash marks.
-If I get hit, I get hit,” Wynn said. -You’re going to get hit whether you catch it or drop it, so you might as well catch it. I’m focusing on catching the ball. I’m going across the middle for my team, not just myself.”
[Wynn catches a pass in practice. Video credit: Chris Goff.]
Still unknown is who will throw Wynn those passes. Quarterbacks Tre Roberson, Cameron Coffman and Nate Sudfeld are locked in a close battle for the starting job.
-I like all three,” Wynn said. -They all can get away from pressure. They all can throw the ball. There’s no difference in them.”
Where Wynn hopes to see a major difference is in Indiana’s win-loss record, which was a porous 1-11 his freshman year. In the fashion of a true leader, Wynn is keying on the smaller things rather than making a bold claim about expected results.
-We don’t have a set number of wins for a reasonable season,” he said. -We should keep the same tempo and enthusiasm as the same game goes by. We’ve just got to come out strong and finish strong.”
A lot of intangibles ride on Wynn, who jokes around but always keeps in touch with the mission at hand, whether it’s an interview or getting victories, knowing that winning is the ultimate good time.
