2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 5 Days Part II (Bradley Jennings Jr.)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2022 Hoosier Huddle Countdown now has less than one week remaining. In just five days, the Indiana Hoosiers will take the field to open the 2022 season against Illinois. Today, we profile a pair of number fives: Dexter Williams and Bradley Jennings!

Name: Bradley Jennings

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida (Sandalwood)/transfer from University of Miami

Position: Linebacker

Year: Redshirt Senior

Height/Weight: 6’1”/209 pounds

Micah McFadden was one of the best linebackers to ever suit up at Indiana University. He was a constant presence and tackling machine in the middle of the Hoosiers defense for the past several seasons. McFadden is now plying his trade in the NFL and IU needed individuals ready for the challenge of playing the interior linebacker spot next to returning star Cam Jones. Tom Allen felt good about the incoming freshmen (Kaiden Turner and Isaiah Jones) but they’d need time to get up to speed. Fellow incoming freshman Dasan McCullough will be a weapon the Hoosiers deploy in multiple positions and he could help a bit at the linebacker spot as well. He also really liked how returning veteran Aaron Casey was stepping up and overlooking redshirt freshman Matt Hohlt would be a mistake. They needed some veteran help in the portal though. Jared Casey has multiple years of eligibility remaining and brings a pass rushing ability from Kentucky that is sorely needed. The other piece comes from a place Allen has so much experience fishing for talent in: Florida. Bradley Jennings Jr. started 11 games and appeared in 35 contests from 2017 to 2021 at the University of Miami. Jennings has one year of eligibility remaining and wanted to spend it in Bloomington. This was a perfect fit.

Jennings Jr. had 68 tackles with three sacks during his time as a Hurricane. This included six tackles in Miami’s season-opening loss to #1 Alabama. Jennings Jr. brings a lot of experience in major college football and a lot of experience playing middle linebacker. New position coach (and defensive coordinator) Chad Wilt spoke about experience of Jennings during the spring.

“I think we are making some great progress and we have good older kids and good leadership. You talk about Cam Jones in the room, Jared Casey, guys that have been around a bunch. You can throw in Bradley Jennings Jr., coming from Miami. He has played real football at Miami. They understand football and I never felt walking into the meeting room that it was a lecture and that I was the dictator, it’s conversations.”

His veteran experience is important but he also has talent and athleticism that has him in the mix for a starting position and certainly for plenty of snaps during the 2022 season. Cam Jones can be written in permanent marker as one starter but the other linebacker spot is going to be a regular battle between Jared Casey, Aaron Casey, Bradley Jennings and perhaps even Dasan McCullough if the coaches choose to use him there instead of on the edge.

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