Hoosier Roundtable, Episode 9: Behind the Scenes With Special Teams Stars James Evans, Sean Wracher

It's time for Episode 9 of the Hoosier Roundtable podcast, with funny interviews with punter and holder James Evans from New Zealand and long snapper Sean Wracher, who's one of the best in the business.
In this story:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — One of the bright spots in this difficult season for Indiana has been the play of their special teams. Charles Campbell had a game-winning field goal in September to beat Western Kentucky and Jaylin Lucas returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown last weekend against Rutgers.

And a real consistency all year has been the outstanding play of punter James Evans and long snapper Sean Wracher, who's one of the best in the business at what he does. This year, Evans is also the holder on field goals, and he's been a big piece o that unit as well.

James Evans (94) holds for a Charles Campbell field goal attempt during last Saturday's game at Rutgers (USA TODAY Sports)
James Evans (94) holds for a Charles Campbell field goal attempt during last Saturday's game at Rutgers (USA TODAY Sports)

Evans, a sophomore from New Zealand, has improved greatly in his second year with the Hoosiers. He's got a lot of funny stories to tell about life in America, and his buddy Sean Wracher is his sidekick just about all the time when they are out and about.

Wracher, considered one of the best long snappers in the country, talks about how he came to enjoy that role so much and what he does to be as consistent as he is all the time. He's got a lot of great stories to tell, too.

Also, to end the podcast, we are ru-running my interview with Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle. We moved up the interview to run with the story on his decision to enter the transfer portal for 2023, but wanted to add it back in for all of you who do read the stories but listen to all of our Indiana podcasts. This week's podcast ends with Jack's full interview. It seemed even more important to replay it, especially the way last week's game at Rutgers played out.

Sean Wracher (right, No. 95) has been one of the best long snappers in the country since arriving in Bloomington from Cleveland. (USA TODAY Sports)
Sean Wracher (right, No. 95) has been one of the best long snappers in the country since arriving in Bloomington from Cleveland. (USA TODAY Sports)

Watch the full Episode 9 here

Related stories on Indiana football

  • TUTTLE ENTERS TRANSFER PORTAL: Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle is entering the transfer portal so he can play elsewhere in 2023, but unlike many transfers, the redshirt-senior captain is staying with the Hoosiers throughout this season ''because I love my guys too much.'' CLICK HERE
  • HENDERSHOT GETS FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN: Dallas Cowboys tight end Peyton Hendershot hauled in a 2-yard touchdown reception on Sunday against the Lions, marking the first touchdown of his NFL career. Hendershot is in his rookie season after five-year career at Indiana University. CLICK HERE
  • TIME FOR A QUARTERBACK CHANGE?: Indiana football suffered its fifth consecutive loss on Saturday at Rutgers, which raised questions on a possible change at quarterback away from Connor Bazelak. CLICK HERE
  • HOOSIERS FALL TO RUTGERS: After two quick touchdowns, Indiana punted seven times, and a Connor Bazelak pick-six doomed the Hoosiers in their fifth-straight loss, falling 24-17 to Rutgers on Saturday in New Jersey. CLICK HERE

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Tom Brew
TOM BREW

Tom Brew is an award-winning journalist who has worked at some of America's finest newspapers as a reporter and editor, including the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, the Indianapolis Star and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered college sports in the digital platform for the past six years, including the last five years as publisher of HoosiersNow on the FanNation/Sports Illustrated network.