D.J. Matthews Brings Speed and Savvy to Indiana Football, Expected to Play Week One

In a room with five new coaches discussing a roster filled with newcomers, a general consensus arose in short order between Tom Allen and his staff following day one of fall camp on Tuesday.

They were discussing D.J. Matthews, the Florida State transfer who burned defenses as a wide receiver and return man for Indiana in 2021, but was limited to just four games after tearing his ACL.

"We were like 'Wow, boy did we sure miss D.J. last year,'" Allen said.

Matthews didn't practice in the spring, Allen said he's still being evaluated before practices to confirm the workload he's able to carry. At Indiana's first practice of fall camp on Tuesday, Matthews was seen wearing a knee brace. However, Allen said Matthews is expected to play in Indiana's season opener against Illinois on Sept. 2. 

Matthews’ return in 2022 serves as a crucial piece to Indiana's effort in bouncing back from a 2-10 campaign in 2021 when the Hoosiers ranked 13th in the Big Ten in points at 17.3 and 10th in passing yards with 175.5 per game. And with the loss of leading wideouts Ty Fryfogle and Miles Marshall, he boasts the most Power Five experience of any Indiana receiver.

"[Matthews] didn't get to play very many games," Allen said. "So you kind of forget really how good he was."

Whether he was returning punts for touchdowns or blowing by opposing cornerbacks, Matthews provided a skillset few and far between at Indiana in recent years.

His electrifying speed and agility gave Indiana a big-play threat at wide receiver, as well as the return game. Indiana’s offense stumbled mightily out of the gate in the season opener at Iowa, but began to find its footing against Idaho and later Cincinnati, who’d go on to reach the College Football Playoff.

Matthews hauled in four receptions against Idaho, but this game will be remembered for his 81-yard punt return touchdown just before halftime. Matthews caught the ball while running in the direction of the opposite end zone, circled his way toward the sideline and stiff-armed multiple defenders on his way to the end zone to give Indiana a 35-0 lead.