Could this in-state true freshman force his way into starting lineup Week 1?

Columbus East Olympians Harry Crider (57), an Indiana University commit, defends after snapping the ball during first half action between New Palestine and Columbus East in New Palestine, Ind., Friday, October 21, 2016.Columbus East led, 20-7 at the end of the first half.

BLOOMINGTON – The freshman forcing his way into Indiana University’s starting center competition reported to high school as a wide receiver.

When Harry Crider arrived at Columbus East, Olympians coach Bob Gaddis asked him if he might put his hand in the ground every once in a while and play some tight end, Crider’s 6-4 frame giving him positional appeal.

“When we went to camp when he was a sophomore, our offensive line coach, David Miller, said ‘Hey, can we try Harry at center?’” Gaddis told IndyStar. “We needed a guy to be able to step in. He didn’t bat an eye. He was a basketball player and a baseball player. He was an athletic guy that became a lineman, if that makes sense.”

In a program known recently for promising young offensive linemen — Coy Cronk, Wes Martin, Dan Feeney and Jason Spriggs all played major snaps as freshmen or redshirt freshmen — it might be Crider’s turn.

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The 6-4, 290-pound center is already working in with IU’s No. 2 offensive line, and he’s more than holding his own.

“He’s been running with the 2s, and the thing is, I think right now, and I may be wrong, but I think he’s had two missed assignments in six practices, which is pretty impressive,” said offensive line coach Darren Hiller. “We’re running everything we’re running. He’s had two missed assignments out of all the plays he’s run, which has been a bunch. So he’s really smart, he really understands what we’re doing.”

Speaking at the end of his first week of preseason camp, coach Tom Allen said he wasn’t surprised by Crider’s rapid adaptation to college football, saying instead “it would’ve surprised me if he wasn’t right there.”

And Gaddis isn’t particularly stunned either. It worked the same way at East.

“He had played a lot of other positions, so I think he had a good grasp of the football IQ,” Gaddis said. “I think he understands the game. The way he took to (playing center) was unbelievable. He became a leader.”

Columbus East OlympiansÕ Harry Crider (57) prepares to snap the ball against Westfield in the Class 5A state title game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.

Crider also played linebacker in high school, but really blossomed with one hand on the ball and another in the ground. Outside football, he also played basketball and baseball at East, and wrestled for a year, speaking to the athleticism Gaddis referenced.

And he did all of it while managing Type 1 diabetes, which Crider was diagnosed with when he was 10.

He initially committed to Virginia. But IU runs in his family, and when the Hoosiers offered in the summer before his senior year, Crider flipped. Now, he’s got a chance to make his IU debut within months of his arrival on campus.

With Wes Rogers graduated, the Hoosiers need a new center. Redshirt sophomore Hunter Littlejohn appears in the mix as well, and has spent time with IU’s No. 1 line this preseason. Crider might be right behind him.

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“Technically, there’s some things (he can improve), but what Harry can really do well is he can sink his hips, and he can play with his hips down and create power from that position,” Hiller said. “It’s gonna be fun. He’s gonna be able to help us this football season.”

Crider isn’t yet allowed to speak with the media, according to a program rule that requires players to have seen game action first.

That rule might not apply long.

“I haven’t talked to any of the guys at IU, and I haven’t met any of his teammates, but I would guarantee you that, if you talk to any one of them, they’re gonna say they trust him, because he works his tail end off,” Gaddis said. “He’s not a real boisterous guy, he’s just accountable, and when he gets a shot, he’ll make the most of it.”

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

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