2023 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 21 Days (Jamison Kelly)
/Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The 2023 edition of the Hoosier Huddle Countdown is officially underway! We are counting down from 100 to the beginning of the 2023 Indiana University football season. Each day, we will take a look at one (or two) players on the current Indiana football roster and highlight the player’s role in the upcoming season. Today’s profile piece is on another newcomer and a player that could have a big role in the rebuilt secondary for the Hoosiers: safety Jamison Kelly.
Name: Jamison Kelly
Hometown: Columbia, Mississippi (Jones Community College)
Position: Safety
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6’2”/199
The Indiana University coaching staff entered the offseason knowing they had to revamp the secondary. After a disappointing couple of seasons, the group is replacing some players that played a whole lot of snaps but underperformed as veterans. Returning players are expected to progress and step up but a number of freshman and incoming transfers are going to be relied upon to repair the position group. One of the more interesting newcomers is safety Jamison Kelly, a transfer from Jones Community College.
Kelly played defensive back at Columbia High School in Mississippi and was a consensus three-star recruit and three-time all-state selection. He began his collegiate career at Louisiana Tech, appearing in 17 games across two seasons before departing for Jones Community College. Jamison Kelly spent the 2022 season at the Mississippi junior college and started all ten games, ranking second on the squad in tackles. Kelly is a hard-hitting safety with a frame that looks ready to contribute in the Big Ten. The pecking order in the secondary is difficult to project with a new defensive coordinator and so many new faces. However, we can make a few assumptions. First, Noah Pierre will likely be starting at Husky. Second, transfers Jamier Johnson, Kobee Minor and Nic Toomer will play significant roles at corner. Third, the two safety spots are relatively wide open. Jamison Kelly is going to have a chance to earn a starting spot along with players like Josh Sanguinetti, Tyrik McDaniel, Jordan Grier, Bryson Bonds and Phillip Dunnam. It is likely that at least four of those individuals will be in the rotation for snaps and Kelly figures to be one of those four.
The senior could have another year of eligibility in 2024 if he chooses to use it and he figures to be a solid addition to an IU secondary that desperately needs consistent play.
The countdown continues with a new profile each and every day so come back to hoosierhuddle.com daily!