2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 3 Days (Tiawan Mullen)

Written by: Zach Greene

Welcome, Hoosiers fans to the 2022 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! We countdown from 100 days to the beginning of the 2022 Indiana University football season on September 2nd against the Fighting Illini. Every day, we look at players on the current roster and highlight the players' roles in the upcoming season. Today we dive into one of the best players in the program Taiwan Mullen.

Name: Taiwan Mullen

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Position: Defensive Back

Year: Senior

Height/Weight: 5-10/ 181

A baller on the field, Mullen picked the Hoosiers over Nebraska and Kanas State. He was under-recruited coming out of high school and always played with a chip on his shoulder. Even as a Freshman, Mullen was on the field making plays. He finished first with 13 pass breakups as a freshman and made 25 solo tackles and earned two defensive player of the week honors as a freshman. His sophomore season was his breakout season where he made 27 solo tackle, three interceptions, and three ½ sacks. He earned three-time defensive player of the week honors and many first team honors including Phil Steele, Football Writers Association, and First Team All-Big Ten.  

Last season was disappointing for the young man. He battled and tried to come back from a foot injury that was holding him out. He played in 7 games making 4 starts. When he was on the field, he made a huge difference even when he wasn’t healthy. Mullen’s presence when on the field was noticeable and was often not targeted due to his press coverage. Mullen is one of a couple of leaders of this football program. Head Coach Tom Allen selected Mullen to represent the program and Big Ten Media Day in Indianapolis.

Mullen comes from a football family. His brother is Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen, and his cousin is Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson. I can only image what 1 on 1 basketball was like.

Mullen knows he needs to increase and bump his draft stock this upcoming season. Last year at this time, we were looking at Mullen being a second-round or third-round pick but due to injuries, his stock slipped. If Mullen can stay healthy, I expect his stock to jump. Scouts will have their eye on Mullen and hopefully, this will boost his play on the field.  

Words can’t describe how excited Mullen is to take the field this season. He is the leader of this defense and if he plays well then the team will play well. I’ll leave it with this quote from Head Coach TA.

"I think about Tiawan Mullen, first team All-American (cornerback), first team all-conference. He came to Indiana with a vision and a mission to help us change our program.”