2021 IUFB Early Signing Day Recap: Defense
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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Indiana Hoosiers signed 14 defensive players on Wednesday during the early signing period as part of their 2022 recruiting class. After a 2-10 regular season in 2021, the Hoosiers needed an influx of new blood and this class did not disappoint on paper. We talked about the offensive side of the ball earlier in the day, now it is time for the defense. EDITOR’S NOTE: We included transfers in this write up. All ratings are according to 247Sports’ Composite ratings.
High School Signees
Dasan McCullough – Edge – 6’5” 220 lbs. – Bloomington, IN – 97.49 on 247 Sports
McCullough is the crown jewel of the class. He flipped from Ohio State after his father, Deland, returned to IU as the running backs coach prior to the 2021 season. He will play all over the field for the Hoosier defense and should see the field early in his career as well.
Gabe Brooks of 247Sports gave this scouting report on McCullough:
“Exceptional height with plus length. Lean build with tons of space to add mass. Experience at numerous positions, including receiver, edge, off-ball linebacker, cornerback, and safety. Started out looking like a big safety but high frame potential likely leads to long-term defensive edge projection. Varied positional experience aids in ball skills and impact playmaking ability. Disruptive at the catch point thanks to length and awareness. Redirects fairly well relative to long-levered build. Good downhill juice vs. the run and strong enough to provide the big hit as a tackler. Not afraid to attack gaps and play in the box from safety. Has flashed some traffic-shedding ability vs. the run against high school competition, but will need to add bulk and strengthen to consistently do that in college. If playing from the edge, that strength will particularly be needed, as well as developing a pass-rush move set. Concerns exist over position projection, but that may be reading into it too much. Given physical tools and multi-positional experience, potential should be quite high. Unique athlete with strong on-field profile. Projects to the high-major level with a ceiling in the top half of the NFL Draft.”
Trevell Mullen – Cornerback – 5’11” 150lbs. – Pompano Beach, FL – 90.97 on 247 Sports
Mullen is the younger brother of current IU cornerback Tiawan Mullen. He is a top 250 player nationally and if he can follow in his brother’s footsteps another standout Floridian in the secondary for the Hoosiers. With Tiawan, Jaylin Williams and others back for the Hoosiers in 2022, it could be a year to grow and develop for Trevell, but, as we saw in 2021 injuries do creep up and he could find his way into early playing time.
Dominick James – Defensive Line – 6’2” 278lbs. – Bradenton, FL – 90.22 on 247 Sports
James had offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Texas A&M and 21 other schools including Indiana. He’s another gem in this recruiting class and could be an immediate impact player along the defensive line. 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins said this on James: “A big man that’s rather light on his feet. Carries 275 pounds better than most. The type of interior lineman that can not only plug gaps, but also make things difficult for a quarterback. Initial burst tends to overwhelm blockers. Uses strong hands to swipe and disengage from contact. Flexible enough to sink his hips and find some leverage. Raw power allows him to anchor and hold his ground vs. double teams, at least at the high school level. Doesn’t let many ball carries slip away, finishing off tackles more times than not. Makes his fair share of plays in the backfield, but upfield quickness seems to be better than his lateral range at this stage in his development.”
Venson Sneed – Defensive Line – 6’4” 240lbs. – Winter Park, FL – 87.95 on 247 Sports
Sneed is one of four defensive linemen the Hoosiers are bringing in for the class of 2022. He is a great athlete who can get pressure on the quarterback. The Hoosier staff is projecting him as a strong-side defensive end. He will need time to develop into his frame and as a player. He could be a candidate for four games as a freshman.
Richard Thomas – Defensive Line – 6’2” 255lbs. – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – 87.84 on 247 Sports
Another defensive line prospect, Thomas committed to IU way back in June and was one of the Hoosiers’ most coveted targets in this cycle. The Hoosiers are thin along the defensive line, but may have enough with the two transfers to give Thomas a chance to develop in the weight room and on the practice field before taking on Big Ten offensive linemen.
James Monds – Defensive Back – 5’10” 170lbs. – Vero Beach, FL – 87.17 on 247 Sports
Monds is a defensive back out of Florida who was highly coveted in the recruiting process. IU beat out Nebraska, Wisconsin and Arkansas for his services. In addition to being a fantastic football player, Monds was a standout on the soccer field in high school. His cousin and uncle both played in the NFL and his father played at Toledo and Bethune-Cookman. He should have a bright future at IU.
Phillip Dunnam – Safety – 6’1” 180 lbs. – Miami, FL – 87.15 on 247 Sports
When Dunnam committed to IU he was unrated by the major serives, as he signs with the Hoosiers, he will be a four-star prospect. Dunnam chose IU because he saw how the recent players from Florida were developed. He will bring a lot of skill, as he did play both offense and defense at North Miami Beach, to a position group that will lose a lot of playmakers after the 2022 season.
Jamari Sharpe – Defensive Back – 6’1” 175lbs. – Miami, FL – 85.77 on 247 Sports
Sharpe is a speedy defensive back from Northwestern High School in Miami. He runs a 4.45 40-yard dash, a 10.69 100-meter dash and a 21.47 200-meter dash. He should start his career at cornerback at IU, but could grow into a safety as he gets developed. IU has done that with several players in the past as well under Tom Allen.
Isaiah Jones – Linebacker – 6’2” 215lbs. – London, Ohio – 85.65 on 247 Sports
The Hoosiers beat out Minnesota for Jones who will play outside linebacker at the next level. He will need some polishing and development before getting into the rotation.
Kaiden Turner – Linebacker – 6’2” 218 lbs. – Fayetteville, AR – 84.18 on 247 Sports
Turner was the first commit of the 2022 class way back in March. He was an absolute hidden gem in Arkansas. His has speed and attacks downhill well, both qualities you need in an impactful middle linebacker. He could follow in the footsteps of Micah McFadden.
From the Portal
Bradley Jennings – Linebacker – 6’2” 230lbs. – Miami (FL) – 83.00 on 247 Sports
Jennings comes to IU from the University of Miami (FL) where he played in 36 career games and made 68 career tackles along with nine tackles for loss. With McFadden off to the NFL and some other holes to fill at linebacker, Jennings could become an important piece of the defense.
LeDarrius Cox – Defensive Line – 6’5” 312lbs – Ole Miss – 82.00 on 247 Sports
LeDarrius Cox is a native of Alabama and he started his career as an interior defensive lineman. Before the 2021 season, Ole Miss moved him to the offensive line but IU recruited him to return to defensive tackle. In his career, Cox has six tackles with two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
Patrick Lucas Jr. – Defensive Line – 6’3” 290 lbs. – Ole Miss – 82.00 on 247 Sports
Patrick Lucas was heavily pursued by the IU staff as a high schooler. Also a native of Alabama, he ended up committing to Ole Miss over offers from Nebraska, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others. He played in four games in 2019 before tearing his achilles and redshirting. Lucas is particularly intriguing because of his combination of size and speed.
JH Tevis - Defensive Line - 6’4” 285lbs. - California - 83.89 on 247 Sports
Tevis was a signing day addition who has two years of eligibility left. He played 20 games at Cal, most of them in 2021. Tevis has 60 career tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. He is another veteran defensive lineman who will add depth and experience to the room.