2015 Ball State Football Recruiting: TE Kyle Schrank Commits to Cardinals

The Ball State Cardinals added another piece to their 2015 recruiting class with the addition of tight end Kyle Scrank from Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana.

The 6'3" 210 pound Shrank is the fifth Cardinal commit for 2015, after passing on offers from Air Force, Eastern Michigan, Lehigh, and Western Michigan.

"I was pretty confident I would commit to Ball State after they offered me (on May 7)," Schrank told The Indianapolis Star.

Despite never having played linebacker on the varsity level, Schrank was actually pursued as an outside linebacker by Western Michigan.  As a tight end, the junior pulled in 23 catches for 316 yards and a touchdown last season.  With Schrank's size, playing on defense may be a possibility at Ball State.

"I like defense," Schrank said in that same article. "I played defense up until I started playing varsity my sophomore year. And, this year I'll play a lot of defense as a SAM linebacker in our 4-3 defense. So, it's definitely a possibility (in college)."

For now though, Schrank will be playing on the offensive side of the ball.  Last summer he won the Smokehouse Award for the fastest tight end at an Ohio State camp.

He also took home MVP honors at the  Best of the Midwest Combine.  According to 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong, he "tested well including jumping like a defensive back."

The Ball State offensive scheme should give Schrank plenty of opportunities to shine.  Coach Pete Lembo is not shy about airing it out, and plenty of receivers contribute within his offense.  Tight end Zane Fakes started last season on the Mackey Award watch list.  Fakes completed his Cardinal career with 1185 yards and 9 touchdowns, and like Schrank, was also a two-way player in high school.  Next season Ball State will look to Sam Brunner and Dylan Curry to step in for Fakes.  Schrank should have ample time to grow within the Cardinal offense beginning in 2015.

Despite the multiple offers, Shrank didn't seem to have trouble picking a school.

"The fit couldn't have been better for me. It was an easy decision."

Schrank's highlights, courtesy of Hudl: