The Big Ten saw a major upgrade at wide receiver this past season, but the league will have to reload in 2014.
Indiana's Cody Latimer on Sunday became the latest Big Ten receiver to announce he's skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Penn State's Allen Robinson, the Big Ten's wide receiver of the year in both 2012 and 2013, made the jump last week.
Latimer earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media after finishing third in the league in both receptions (72) and receiving yards (1,096) and recording nine touchdowns. He had three consecutive 100-yard receiving performances this fall and had five for his career.
"I want to thank Indiana University, its alumni and fans for giving me the opportunity to be able to join this great university and be a part of a great family," Latimer posted on his Instagram account. "A special thanks goes to my football family starting from the coaches to my teammates. It's been a great 3 years in the making so many ups and downs but we continued to fight every game until the end. In closing I want to say thank you and I will always bleed that cream and crimson!!! IUFB."
It's a bit surprising to see Latimer turning pro, as Indiana once again should be strong on offense in 2014 with quarterbacks Tre Roberson and Nate Sudfeld set to return. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Latimer certainly has the size and skill to succeed at the next level, and he felt this was the right time to go.
Next season, the Big Ten will be replacing its top seven receivers from 2013. Indiana loses both Latimer and Kofi Hughes, but Shane Wynn, Isaiah Roundtree and others are back. The Hoosiers need some help at the outside receiver spots and hope to land Dominique Booth, who signed a financial aid agreement with the school but still must enroll later this month.
