2019 Indiana Football Positional Preview: Linebackers

2019 Preview - Linebacker

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

With the season just two weeks away, Hoosier Huddle is previewing each position group for the Indiana Hoosiers. Today’s preview is a look at the middle of Indiana’s 4-2-5 defense, the linebackers. We’ll start with a brief profile of each player in the position group and then wrap up with a projection of the depth chart for the 2019 season.

Reakwon Jones – Redshirt Senior – 6’2”/235 pounds

Reakwon Jones came to Indiana from Lynn Haven, Florida, prior to the 2015 season. The athletic linebacker redshirted the 2015 season and then found himself stuck behind Tegray Scales and Marcus Oliver and then Tegray Scales and Chris Covington. He played in 21 games in 2016 and 2017, primarily on special teams, as the veteran linebackers took the vast majority of snaps. Because of his limited action, Jones entered the 2018 season as somewhat of an afterthought but he entered the starting lineup as a redshirt junior and had a steady season for the young defense. He started ten games, recording 36 tackles and earning a pair of defensive player of the week honors (Virginia and Ball State). Jones is not a star but he is a leader for the defense and he’ll be a rock-solid fixture in IU’s lineup.

James Miller – Redshirt Freshman – 6’2”/231 pounds

A stud at Florida’s Armwood High School, James Miller came to Indiana prior to the 2018 season as a somewhat raw but very athletic prospect. He needed to add some strength and weight but it was clear from his highlight film that he was one to watch for the future. After seeing no action early in the year, Miller ended up playing in three games, including a start against Michigan. Now at 6’2” and more than 230 pounds, James Miller is expected to have a much larger role in 2019 as a redshirt freshman. Miller has an incredibly bright future and he has the potential to be an All-Big Ten linebacker before his time in Bloomington is over. He’s a hard-hitting and ultra-athletic defender that should see plenty of snaps this season.

Cam Jones – Sophomore – 6’3”/219 pounds

A sophomore from Memphis, Cam Jones flashed his playmaking ability during his debut season in 2018. He played primarily Husky during 11 games and had two forced fumbles, 20 tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass breakup. Jones is a very athletic player that can play either Husky or linebacker. Regardless of what exact position he is playing, it certainly seemed like the IU defense was better when he was involved. He’s now listed at linebacker and has practiced there throughout fall camp. If he continues to make impact plays, he’ll see the field plenty moving forward. I am hoping the Hoosiers involve Cam Jones in blitz packages and send him after the quarterback because he could be a terror.

Thomas Allen – Sophomore - 6’3”/236 pounds

The redshirt freshman from Plant High School in Florida made his presence felt in 2018, earning 28 tackles and coming up with his first career interception. Allen played in all 12 games last season and was a part of the linebacker rotation, often as a primary backup. Allen is one of the biggest linebackers on the roster and there has been some speculation that he could be shifted to a situational defensive end to better maximize his skill set. While not slow, Allen is not among IU’s fastest linebackers and that move could suit him. There is no indication the IU staff is considering that though and for now, he remains a part of the linebacker corps. If he stays there, he’ll continue to see snaps as a reliable option.

Aaron Casey – Redshirt Freshman - 6’2”/236 pounds

Casey was a highly-regarded prospect from Georgia and entering the season, he was considered by many to be a player that would have to contribute as a freshman. However, he was redshirted and saw no game action. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t doing well though. Casey was named a two-time scout player of the week on defense and a two-time scout player of the week on special teams. He appears to have gotten much stronger and much more confident and he has been a standout throughout fall camp. I would now expect Aaron Casey to be firmly entrenched in the linebacker rotation.

Micah McFadden – Sophomore - 6’2”/227 pounds

Despite his ridiculous production during his final season at Plant High School in Florida, McFadden was largely overlooked as a member of the 2018 recruiting class. He did not pay any attention to what others thought of his chances to play in the Big Ten though. McFadden played in all 12 games, posted 20 tackles and was a generally positive impact player all season. Quite frankly, he was one of the biggest pleasant surprises on the squad. While he is not a speed merchant, McFadden displayed an ability to go sideline to sideline and he is going to be force during his time in Bloomington. Every time the coaches talk about the linebackers, they inevitably end up bringing up Micah McFadden.

Cameron Williams – Freshman - 6’3” – 215 pounds

The Indiana Hoosiers won a big recruiting battle when they landed in-state prospect Cam Williams. The four-star player from Merrillville is very athletic and has a big frame that should grow very well in the IU strength program. Given the depth of the position and the fact that Williams was not at IU until the start of fall camp, it is expected he will be a “play four and redshirt” player.

D.K. Bonhomme – Freshman – 6’3” – 238 pounds

Bonhomme comes to Bloomington from Canada by way of Clearwater Academy in Florida. He is the first Canadian to join the football program since 2006 and hopes are high that the big linebacker can add to the depth IU has at this position. He was not in for the spring so it would be a surprise to see him progress enough to play the full season.

Robert Tolbert – Redshirt Freshman – 5’11”/220 pounds

Tolbert is a redshirt freshman walk-on from Texas. He joined the program during the 2018 season and will be going through his first spring with the team. He is slightly undersized at 5’11” but as the only walk-on linebacker, he’ll be relied upon for solid performances on the practice squad.

Depth Chart Projection

The Hoosiers primary defense sees them deploy only two linebackers and projecting this group is no easy task. I think Reakwon Jones can be penciled in as one of the starters. The senior was solid in 2018 and should be even better with more playing experience. The second starter is more difficult to pin down but I’ll take James Miller. He is a phenomenal athlete and should be more polished with a season under his belt. Cam Jones and Micah McFadden are next in line and I think both will see lots of playing time. I would look for redshirt sophomore Thomas Allen and redshirt freshman Aaron Casey to be involved as well. This group is young and well-positioned for current and future success. Indiana will be rotating in a lot of players and the coaches feel they have a level of interchangeability that will be a strength for the defense.