2016 Defensive Backs Preview: There's Depth And Talent, But Will Results Come?

By: Lydia Knoll (@lydddknoll)

Indiana's pass defense was atrocious last season, ranking next to last in the nation giving up 313.8 yards per game. Despite the extremely low ranking, Indiana did manage to do some things decently, and showed that they have some talent in the secondary. The Hoosiers picked off 12 passes which ranked as a tie for 56th nationally. This season the entire secondary returns, most of them healthy and ready to play in 2016. On paper this may be the deepest and the most raw talent the Hoosiers have had in the secondary, probably ever, but can they turn names on paper into results on the field? The answer to that question is probably the difference between another bowl game, possibly seven or eight wins, and spending the holidays at home.

Starters

Rashard Fant—Redshirt Junior

One of the locks for starters, Fant, made his name known to quarterbacks all across the Big Ten last season. Fant not only led the Big Ten with 22 pass breakups, but also ranked second nationally. He also recorded 52 tackles, 48 solo, which was second on the Indiana team. He posted 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He started twelve of the thirteen games last season and appeared in all the games. As a returning player, he is guaranteed a starting spot as cornerback this upcoming season. The cornerback position is a sought-out spot but his place holds secure. 

Jonathon Crawford—Sophomore

Coming to Indiana last season from Largo, Florida, Crawford quickly made a huge impact for the Hoosiers. Crawford finished his freshman season with 76 tackles, 48 solos, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and one blocked field goal. He also led the team with four interceptions, the third most in program history for a true freshman. His outstanding performances earned him the recognition of “IU’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year,” as well as ESPN.com and BTN.com All-Freshman team selection. After such a significant freshman season, Crawford undoubtedly will be starting for the Hoosiers this season as a strong safety. 

Chase Dutra—Redshirt Junior

Before being sidelined with a season ending injury and battling injuries at the beginning of the season, Dutra started seven out of the eight games he played, and his redshirt freshman year he played in all twelve games. Despite missing five games Last season, Dutra finished fifth on the team with 61 tackles and 38 solo stops along with four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups. He ranked 19th in the Big Ten in league play with 7.4 stops per outing. Although coming off an injury and being limited in practice, Dutra is expected to return in full strength and start as a free safety this coming season. 

Andre Brown Jr.- Sophomore

Another player who suffered a season ending injury last season, Brown started eight of the nine games he appeared in as a true freshman before his injury. In those eight games he made 35 tackles, 27 solo, with four pass break ups and one fumble recovery. Now recovered from his injury, Brown is the fifth man in Allen’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme that will arm the secondary. Brown is expected to be the starting cornerback opposite Fant. The cornerback position is deep with talent so this position will likely see a variety of faces, such as those mentioned below.  

Jayme Thompson – Redshirt Junior

After redshirting his first year at Ohio State University, Thompson then transferred to Iowa Western Community College. His efforts at defensive back helped Iowa Western to a 10-2 record, an 11-1 record, and a national championship in his two years there. He was ranked the second junior college safety before transferring to Indiana. Along with other junior college transfer quarterback, Richard Lagow, Thompson is expected to have immediate impact starting time for the Hoosiers. He has been dealing with turf toe during fall camp and should be ready to go for the opener. His injury has left the door open for others to make a run at playing time at the husky position. 

Keep an Eye Out For

Jameel Cook Jr.—Sophomore

Yet another defensive back who suffered a season ending injury last year. As a true freshman, Cook appeared in eight games before his injury. He made 16 tackles, 11 solo, one pass breakup, and one impressive 96-yard interception return for a touchdown that sealed a victory over FIU. It was the longest interception return in all of the Big Ten last year and fourth-longest in program history. Cook played as the team’s nickel back last season and after his solid performance before his injury occurred, expect to see more of him this season. 

Tyler Green—Sophomore

Due to so many injuries last season, Green made his Hoosier debut as a true freshman. He appeared in the final eight games at cornerback including two starts. In his eight games, he made 16 tackles, 14 solo, with one for loss. Now that the injured players are returning this season, Green will to once again have to compete for playing time. But at least this time he has more experience under his belt. His size and length give him an advantage for playing time as the Hoosiers are lacking in that area.

Welsey Green—Redshirt Sophomore

It’s hard to say exactly where Green will fall in the ranks this year because we have yet to see him play a game in a Hoosiers jersey. A transfer from University of South Carolina last year, Green was required by NCAA rules to sit out a season. Now as a redshirt sophomore, Green will finally have a shot at making his debut. Before committing to University of South Carolina, Green was ranked the thirteenth cornerback nationally by ESPN. He completed five interceptions for Martin Luther King High School in Georgia. He has potential, but with Fant cemented in at one corner position, he will need to prove himself early on in order to see the field, unless one of them becomes injured. 

Leon Thornton – Sophomore

Although originally a wide receiver for the Hoosiers, Thornton was moved to cornerback at the end of last season. In all, Thornton appeared in twelve games—nine as a wide receiver and three at cornerback, including a start in the Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue. In his three cornerback appearances, he made ten tackles, seven solo. Thornton came to Indiana with some defensive back experience from high school with helps his transition. Thornton was moved to safety during fall camp because the coaches like his size and ball skills at that position. 

Ben Bach- Redshirt Junior 

Bach walked on to the Hoosier program in 2013 and redshirted his freshman season. After not seeing the field in 2014, Bach played in all 13 games last season, including his first career start in the Pinstripe Bowl. He finished the season with 12 tackles and a pass breakup. Bach gives the Hoosiers more size at the husky, a position the coaches have said he's been made to play. Bach has had a good fall camp and will be a major contributor in 2016. 

Incoming Freshman

Khalil Bryant

In addition to earning himself the Most Value Player in the Florida-Georgia All-Star Game, Bryant finished his high school career with 112 tackles, 17 pass breakups, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. Now a defensive back at Indiana, Bryant will try to earn some playing as a true freshman. He has gotten a lot of reps with the second team defense and has played his way into some potential playing time this fall.

A’Shon Riggins

Although he filled many roles in high school, including wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive back, his primary role as of right now at Indiana has been determined as a defensive back. He finished his high school career with 41 tackles, one sack, and one interception. He was ranked the second best cornerback in Ohio by Scout and now joins the ranks of the Hoosier cornerbacks for this season. If the struggles at corner continue early in the season, Riggins could be thrown into the mix to jump start their production.

Marcelino Ball

A defensive back at Roswell High School, Georgia, Ball recorded 132 tackles, 12 for loss, three interceptions, one fumble recovery, and one defensive touchdown. He was named 2015 honorable mention all-state and first team all-region selection. Ball helped his team to the 6A state championship game his senior year. Ball happens to be the younger brother of three college football players, two of whom advanced to the NFL. Scout ranked Ball as the 87th safety nationally.

Ball has been a standout at camp and coaches rave about his ability to play the husky position. Safeties coach Noah Joseph said Ball has "given us a dynamic presence from that spot. A guy that is physical and relentless in how he plays." With Jayme Thompson sidelined for most of camp, Ball has jumped up the ranks and could find himself starting on opening night despite only being 17-years old.