2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 1 Day (Donaven McCulley)
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Written By Ben Gillard
Well, Hoosier fans, we’ve made it to the final day of the 2024 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! Over the past 100 days, the Hoosier Huddle staff featured every player on the 2024 roster in anticipation of the season opener tomorrow, August 31st, against the FIU Golden Panthers. Today, we look at the Hoosier’s pair of number 1’s veteran wide receiver Donaven McCulley and ODU transfer Shawn Asbury II.
COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: # 1 – Donaven McCulley
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 203 pounds
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
High School: Lawrence North
Class/Position: Senior / Wide Receiver
Arguably one of Coach Curt Cignetti’s first wins as Head Coach of the Hoosiers was successfully getting star receiver Donaven McCulley to exit the transfer portal and return to IU.
A four-star prospect out of Lawrence North, McCulley was originally a quarterback for the Hoosiers. McCulley became the third true freshman QB in IU history to start a game when injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle forced him into the starting role. He rose to the challenge, starting 4 games and appearing in 7 total, passing for 475 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
As a sophomore, McCulley made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver. He took this position switch in stride, appearing in all 12 games and catching 18 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. McCulley built upon his success and solidified himself as WR1 for the Hoosiers as a junior. He appeared in all 12 games with 11 starts, and caught 48 passes for 644 yards and 6 touchdowns. This earned him a Fourth-Team All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele and an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Following Head Coach Tom Allen’s dismissal from the program at the end of the 2023 season, McCulley was one of several players who entered the transfer portal. After a whirlwind portal period, where McCulley received offers from Penn State, Michigan, and Texas A&M, it seemed as though McCulley was a breath away from joining former Hoosier Jack Tuttle at Michigan. Then came the hiring of Cignetti and the culture shift in Bloomington. Cignetti and OC Mike Shanahan’s message seemed to connect with McCulley, which ultimately resulted in him exiting the transfer portal and returning to Bloomington.
McCulley looks to continue his success with the Hoosiers. Given his experience and athleticism, he is poised to do just that. Look for him to have a successful season and help distinguish himself in IU’s extremely talented wide receiver room.