2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 1 Day Part I (Donaven McCulley)

Written by Andrew Walker

The Hoosier Huddle 100-day countdown is officially down to day one. With the start of Indiana’s season mere hours away, excitement couldn’t be higher. Today, we’re taking a look at Donaven McCulley.

Name: Donaven McCulley

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Position: WR

Year: Sophomore

Height: 6’5

Weight: 210

Twitter: @DonavenMcculley

Instagram: @donavenm

McCulley has somewhat of an interesting ride through the Indiana football timeline. Formerly a true freshman QB last season, McCulley started four times and played in seven games for the Hoosiers after a host of injuries left both Michael Penix and Jack Tuttle out of contention for the starting job. McCulley did the best with what he was given, racking up 475 passing yards and two touchdowns on 35 of 85 completions. He was also able to rush 64 times for 135 yards and and two TDs.

This season, McCulley has moved to WR and it couldn’t be a better fit for the young sophomore. Head coach Tom Allen agreed that the transition from QB to WR is going exceptionally well for McCulley. “He's very athletic. He has a good catch radius where you can put it up and really go and get it. It's just the little details that he's learning. He knows the conceptual thought process of the routes and what to do but it's the little things in getting open.”

McCulley’s role in this Hoosier team will most likely be limited to being the no. 2 guy behind Javon Swinton. Perhaps he may be able to come in on some trick plays that involve another QB in motion, but all that remains to be seen. The opportunity is certainly there for McCulley to put his own unique spin on his situation this season.