Countdown to 2019 IUFB Kickoff: 26 Days (Tiawan Mullen)

Written by T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

2019 Countdown - #26

Name – Tiawan Mullen

Position – Defensive Back (Freshman)

Hometown – Pompano Beach, Florida (Coconut Creek High School)

Height – 5’10”

Weight – 175 pounds

The 2019 Hoosier Huddle Countdown marches on! We are now in the business end of the “offseason” as Indiana has only 26 days remaining until they take the field against Ball State on August 31. Today’s countdown feature focuses on one of the most exciting new additions to the Indiana roster for 2019. A true freshman with a whole lot of potential, defensive back Tiawan Mullen.

Tiawan Mullen knows what an NFL-caliber player looks like. He may not have known it while growing up but he was able to watch from and grow with his older brother, Trayvon Mullen. Trayvon blossomed to star at Clemson for three years as a defensive back before being drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the 40th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. In addition, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is Mullen’s cousin. Tiawan Mullen is hoping to join his brother in the NFL but he has things to accomplish in Bloomington first.

The younger Mullen arrived in Bloomington after a terrific career at Coconut Creek High School in Pompano Beach, Florida. He had 112 tackles with a remarkable 14 interceptions and five forced fumbles. He was one of the most highly-regarded recruits in the 2019 class for Indiana, choosing the Hoosiers over offers from Nebraska, Michigan State, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, TCU and several others.

Tiawan believes having an older brother with major collegiate experience has been a big help for him as he begins his career. “He talked to me about that a lot because he told me in college there are big and faster guys, so you know you have to do the exact same. Get bigger, get stronger and faster. Working in Coach Ballou’s system is getting me prepared for that,” Mullen told the media at a recent freshman Q&A.

Mullen is a lightning quick cover corner with terrific ball skills. In addition, he is a hungry leader that wants to lead Indiana football to places it has not been before. Tom Allen was enamored with Mullen’s intangibles and physical tools alike and there is a belief around the program that the true freshman could be a special player for the Cream and Crimson. IU is well-stocked with talent in the defensive backfield. In addition, Mullen is a true corner so he won’t be competing for playing time with players like Juwan Burgess, Devon Matthews or Bryant Fitzgerald. Projecting the lineup at this time, you would list A’Shon Riggins, Andre Brown and Raheem Layne ahead of Mullen on the depth chart. I would speculate sophomore Jaylin Williams is ahead of the freshman to begin the season as well. That’s not a knock on Mullen, it’s a testament to the talent the staff has assembled at this position. I am sold on this newcomer’s ability and I firmly believe his speed and skill will get him on the field, one way or another, in 2019 and he’ll play a prominent role during what I think will be a stellar career in Bloomington. He might just see spot duty at defensive back and chip-in as a dangerous return man or he might flash enough in practice to quickly bust into the rotation quickly.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown continues each day so check back daily!