Countdown to Kickoff: 36 Days (Johnny Albomonte)

Written by: Lydia Knoll (lydddknoll)

#36

There are now 36 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Redshirted freshman Johnny Albomonte wears #36.

Johnny Albomonte (Redshirt Freshman)

-Height: 5’11”

-Weight: 178 pounds

-Hometown: Schererville, IN

-Position: Defensive Back

Although Wilson has been known to overlook in-state Hoosier players in the past, these last two years he has certainly worked to recruit them. One of them being defensive back Johnny Albomonte from Schereville, Indiana. Albomonte went to Andrean high school where he was a two-year captain and earned all-state, all-area, and all-conference recognition. Albomonte helped lead his team to win 29 consecutive games on the way to a state championship in 2013 and state runner-up in 2014. He started 44 consecutive games and recorded 14 interceptions. He also played offense and scored 7 career touchdowns. Albomonte not only lettered in football all four years, but he also lettered in baseball where he was a Gold Glove award winner.

Last season, Albomonte was redshirted. This season it’s unpredictable as to whether or not he will see the field on game day. Due to Coach Tom Allen’s new defensive scheme, the number of defensive backs has increased from four to five, however the competition is steep because of the talent is already present. Returning defensive backs include Rashard Fant who finished second nationally with 22 pass breakups; Jonathon Crawford who led the Hoosiers with four interceptions last season; Tony Fields and Ben Bach who appeared in all thireteen games; Zeke Walker, Chase Dutra, Kiante Walton, and Andre Brown Jr. who all suffered season ending injuries; and others. Alongside them will be the new freshmen and junior college transfer, Jayme Thompson. So clearly the competition will be incredibly difficult and summer practices are going to be crucial to all these players in making the best impressions they can on Coach Tom Allen. As for the season, we can expect to see several different players in the defensive back position and a couple players potentially switch to secondary positions.

Share any comments or memories about Johnny Albomonte or the defensive backs in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!