2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 22 Days Part I (Deland McCullough II)

Written by Evan Orris

The 2021 Countdown! Only 22 days left until the Hoosiers travel to Iowa City to take on the #16 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. Today we will profile Malachi Holt-Bennett, the freshman receiver, and Deland McCullough II, the transfer safety.

Deland McCullough II

Bloomington, Ind.

Redshirt sophomore

6’1”/202 pounds

The son of IU’s running backs coach, Deland McCullough, McCullough II decided to follow his father and transfer from the University of Miami (OH). The move started a family renaissance of sorts as his brothers Dasan and Daeh both followed him and committed to Indiana.

The safety appeared in just three games during his time in Ohio before transferring. He grew up in Bloomington and attended Bloomington North High School for two years as his dad coached the Hoosiers from 2011-16 before moving onto the NFL. His love for the team and town blossomed. He needed to be reunited with the culture.

“When I was young, my dad was coaching here for six seasons, and I fell in love with it. Here in Bloomington and just IU football and everything just the atmosphere, and it just became a reality here within the last couple of months.”

Coming out of high school, IU recruited McCullough along with 17 other schools including Kentucky, Rutgers, and USC. However, he chose Miami (OH) his father’s alma mater, and the place where he ranks second on the school’s all-time rushing list.

Coach Allen has already told McCullough that he will play safety. He wanted to add depth to the position following the loss of Jamar Johnson to the NFL. He will look to become more comfortable with the playbook before receiving any sort of solid playing time.