2024 Spring Football- Position Preview-Defensive line

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana defensive line is one of the bigger concerns heading into spring practice. The Hoosiers are extremely thin in the middle of the line as several key players are recovering from postseason surgeries and Philip Blidi announced he was entering the transfer portal. IU’s defensive line will consist of a defensive end, two defensive tackles and a rush end called the stud.

Defensive End

The Hoosiers will be without Venson Sneed this spring as he recovers from an injury. However, Mikail Kamara comes over from James Madison and a handful of walk ons will get a shot to prove they deserve a shot at some playing time.

Mikail Kamara, 6’2” 268 lbs. RS Junior

Kamara comes over to IU from James Madison after a second-team All-Sun Belt performance in 2023. He was a big impact player as he accounted for 17.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Kamara will likely come out of spring practice as the starter at defensive end. He brings production that is sorely needed off the edge for IU, we will see if it translates in the Big Ten.

Andrew Turvey, 6’2” 246 lbs. RS Junior

Turvy has played in 12 games, mainly on special teams, over his three seasons in Bloomington. With injuries and departures along the defensive line, the Carmel (Ind.) native has a chance to earn more playing time in 2024. 

Venson Sneed, 6’4” 265 lbs. RS Sophomore

Sneed will be out for spring recovering from an injury according to a report from Matt Weaver of Peegs.com. After playing in all 12 games a season ago and making just one stop. Sneed could have used spring ball to get valuable practice reps and make a move up the depth chart.

Aden Cannon, 6’5”, 271 lbs. RS Sophomore

Cannon has been with the Hoosiers for two seasons and has not seen any game action. With a lack of depth in the defensive line room, Cannon may be able to get enough reps to earn his way into some playing time this fall. He did excel off the field earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2023.

Caleb King, 6’4”, 261 lbs. Freshman

King comes in as a walk-on from Georgetown, Indiana where he had a tremendous senior season for Eastern H.S. with 17 tackles for loss. Coach Cignetti is not afraid to play a walk-on if he is productive, look at James Carpenter

Defensive Tackle

The tackle positions are where IU is the thinnest during spring practice and that was exacerbated by Philip Blidi entering the portal earlier this week. With James Carpenter, a transfer from JMU, recovering from postseason surgery, players like Marcus Burris, Robbie Harrison, Ja’mari Monette and Mario Landino will have a chance to take the majority of reps and move up the depth chart.

James Carpenter, 6’2” 284 lbs. RS-Senior+

Carpenter was the motor that made the JMU defensive line go last season, but the Hoosiers will have to wait until the fall to see him on the field as he recovers from an offseason surgery. Carpenter was a beast in the middle and earned back-to-back All-Sun Belt honors. In 2023 Carpenter made nine tackles for loss and four sacks in 13 starts. 

Marcus Burris, 6’4” 286 lbs. RS Junior

Burris should see a much bigger role in his second year in Bloomington. After playing in all 12 games with eight starts, Burris is an important piece to the defensive line. His measurables along with the coaching of Pat Kuntz should take him to the next level. Last season Burris made 20 tackles with just 2.5 tackles for loss. Spring practice will be important for him to work on skills that will make him more productive.

Race Stewart, 6’3” 305 lbs. RS Junior

Stewart is the second largest body in the defensive tackle room and size matters in the Big Ten. Stewart had a sack in his only appearance in 2023. Curt Cignetti and Pat Kuntz have had success with walk ons on the defensive line. Stewart will have his opportunity to show he can be an option to see the field in 2024.

Robby Harrison, 6’3” 311lbs. RS Sophomore

Harrison had high expectations coming in from Arizona State prior to the 2023 season. He played in just four games and preserved his redshirt last season making three tackles in the loss at Michigan. Harrison is down about 20 pounds from last season, which should help him be productive.

Ja’mari Monette, 6’4” 281 lbs. RS Sophomore

With depth being an issue this spring, Monette has an opportunity to find his way into the rotation under the new staff. In his two years in Bloomington Monette has not seen the field.

Carl Biddings IV 6’0” 299 lbs. RS Sophomore

Biddings returned from the transfer portal after walking on last season. He saw action in one game when he played at Louisville in 2022, but did not see the field in 2023 with IU. If Biddings can make the most of the opportunity this spring, he can find his way onto the field more in 2024.

Mario Landino, 6’6” 266 lbs. Freshman

Another youngster who will have an opportunity to rocket up the depth chart. Landino has the length to compete, but will likely need to bulk up to get on the field in the fall.

Stud

The rush defensive end position in Bryant Haynes’s defense is called the ‘stud’. IU has some depth here, especially after moving Jacob Mangum-Farrar there this winter. Last year’s ‘bull’ Lanell Carr will be out for spring giving more opportunities for Trey Laing, Ta’Derius Collins and Daniel Ndukwe to get reps.

Jacob Mangum-Farrar, 6’4” 252 lbs. Graduate+

Mangum-Farrar is making the switch from linebacker to ‘stud’. He started all 12 games alongside Aaron Casey at linebacker and put up solid numbers making 62 tackles. JMF has put on 12 pounds since the end of last season as he bulks up to play up front. His length and athleticism should be well suited to rush the passer and give IU a menace off the edge.

Lanell Carr Jr., 6’1” 238 lbs. Senior+

Carr is out for the spring as he recovers from injury. He had a productive 2023 after coming to IU from West Virginia. Carr was productive off the edge with 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He will likely be the starter, but his injury will allow IU to build some depth behind him.

Trey Laing, 6’2” 240 lbs. RS Senior+

Laing was a transfer from Southern last year, but was injured in fall camp and never saw the field. Laing brings experience and should improve the depth of that position.

Ta’Derius Collins, 6’4” 242 lbs. RS Freshman

Collins was a highly regarded recruit who showed some promise as a freshman. He preserved his redshirt and is looking to find the field more in 2024.

Finn Walters, 6’4” 246 lbs. RS Freshman

Walters is a walk-on from Brebuef in Indianapolis. He did not see any game action in 2023. He will likely not see much action in 2024, but can use spring practice to make an impression.

Daniel Ndukwe, 6’3” 225 lbs. Freshman

Ndukwe will need to add bulk if he wants to see the field in more than four games in 2024. He was productive in high school and has an opportunity with injuries and lack of depth.