2023 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 2 Days (James Monds III)

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff is in its final stages! For the 100 days leading up to kickoff, we at Hoosier Huddle will feature every player from the 2023 roster in anticipation of Indiana’s first game of the season against Ohio State in Bloomington. Today, we will highlight defensive back James Monds III and quarterback Tayven Jackson.

James Monds III (Redshirt Freshman)

Twitter: @MondsJames

Hometown: Fort Pierce, Florida

Height: 5’11”

Weight:  180 Pounds

Position: Defensive Back

Monds was one of 15 true freshmen to debut for Indiana last season and he enters this year with a cornerback room that is wide open for playing time. Perhaps, Monds fills a significant reserve role this season; he appeared in two games last year but did not record any stats. He comes from a football talent-rich bloodline – his father (James Monds), cousins (Mario Monds, Jeff Luc, Lamarcus Brutus, Wonderful Monds Jr, and Keelin Smith), and uncle (Wonder Monds), all played college football and a couple even made it to the NFL. 

Monds has a lot of potential, namely his speed and abilities in press coverage, but is a bit undersized for the position and does not have a lot of experience at the college level. He was a two-sport (football and soccer) star at Vero Beach High School, so we will see if this athleticism begins to translate this season.

Monds’ One Word for 2023 is Eager.