2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 46 Days (Aaron Casey)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2022 Hoosier Huddle Countdown is more than 50 percent complete. This means, there are less than 50 days before the return of IU football! Today’s profile focuses on a player that has been a depth piece for three seasons and has appeared in all 33 games he has been eligible to compete in: linebacker Aaron Casey.

Name: Aaron Casey

Hometown: Douglasville, Georgia (Alexander High School)

Position: Linebacker

Year: Redshirt Senior

Height/Weight: 6’2”/225 pounds

Linebacker is a very interesting position in Tom Allen’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme. They’ve had some very good players in this spot recently, most notably Micah McFadden and returning leader Cam Jones. The linebacker is tasked with supporting pass coverage and stopping the run and the middle of the field essentially is the responsibility of the pair of interior backers. It’s a position with a lot of responsibility and demands a lot of production. Last season, Micah McFadden was first on the team in tackles while Cam Jones was third. In 2020, McFadden was first while Jones was fifth. In 2019, it was McFadden and Reakwon Jones first and second. You get the picture, these interior linebackers have to be sideline to sideline tackling machines. Cam Jones returns as a defensive leader and surefire starter. The other starter at linebacker is very much up for grabs and Aaron Casey is one of a few contenders for the spot.

Casey was a team captain and all-state performer at Alexander High School in Georgia. He chose IU as a three-star recruit and redshirted the 2018 season. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Casey appeared in all 13 games, mostly on special teams. In IU’s magical 2020 season, the Peach State native appeared in all eight games, notching 15 tackles including a sack against Ohio State and three tackles in the Outback Bowl. Last season, Casey was still behind Cam Jones and McFadden but again appeared in every game. He started against Rutgers and had eight tackles in the contest, ending the season with 25 tackles. In his redshirt senior season, McFadden is gone and Aaron Casey will battle with incoming transfers Bradley Jennings Jr. and Jared Casey. He’s impressed Allen with his preparation for the coming campaign.

“I think guys like Cam Jones, they’ve taken their play and their leadership to another level,” Allen said of his linebackers during spring practice in April. “Another one is Aaron Casey. He’s a guy that I’ve really put a lot on him to step up and he’s doing that right now. Been really encouraged by that.”

Bradley Jennings is a proven starter from Miami (FL). He started multiple seasons for the Hurricanes and will be tough to beat out for the spot. Jared Casey is a player with multiple years of eligibility left after transferring from Kentucky. He’s a physically gifted player with the potential to pressure the quarterback from the linebacker position. Regardless of who starts, it seems clear Aaron Casey is set for the most playing time he’s had and after biding his time and preparing to have an impact, it appears he’ll be ready.

The countdown continues with a new profile each and every day so come back to hoosierhuddle.com daily!