2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 84 Days (James Bomba)

Written by Nate Comp

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff has begun! There are just 12 weeks until Indiana’s first game of the season against Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. Today, we will highlight a tight end that opted to return to the city of Bloomington and play for Coach Allen: James Bomba.

James Bomba (Freshman)

Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 230 Pounds

Position: Tight End

After spending one year on scholarship at Miami (OH), Bloomington native James Bomba decided to utilize the transfer portal and join the Hoosiers program as a preferred walk-on this offseason. Bomba will be joining the family atmosphere in more ways than just the LEO-centered culture that Tom Allen has created; Bomba’s father, Matt Bomba, also played for the Hoosiers and formerly served as the strength coach in the Antwaan Randle El days.

“My dad's story is kind of an inspiration to me,” James said to Peegs after committing. “He went to prep school, transferred to IU as a walk-on, worked his way up and became a starter in the Big Ten on one of the best defensive teams at IU. He ended up playing in the East-West Shrine Game, and then ended up going to the NFL as a free agent. So I know it's I know it's possible and I look forward to trying to fill the shoes that he had.”

Whether he is able to follow in his father’s footsteps all the way to the NFL is yet to be determined, but nonetheless Bomba is excited to just be a part of the Indiana football program he has idolized for so long.

“This is a place I've always wanted to and where I’ve dreamed of being, but a lot of my decision was the long term. In 10 years I want to be wearing IU gear and be at tailgates and be cheering on the school that I've loved all my life. There is nowhere better to be in college football right now than Indiana University. You look at what was done last year, and what can be done in the future, it was it was kind of an easy choice from there.”