Hoosiers Add Two Impact Transfers to Defensive Line
/Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
After an extremely disappointing 2-10 season, the need for an infusion of talent was obvious and the Hoosiers have wasted no time beginning to add to the roster. After visiting on Saturday, both Patrick Lucas Jr. and LeDarrius Cox have committed to join Tom Allen’s squad after transferring from Ole Miss. Allen visited the pair in Oxford last week and the duo tweeted out their commitments on Sunday morning.
Both players were members of the 2019 recruiting class for the Rebels and both were considered Top 600 prospects. LeDarrius Cox is a native of Alabama and he started his career as an interior defensive lineman. Before the 2021 season, Ole Miss moved him to the offensive line but IU recruited him to return to defensive tackle. In his career, Cox has six tackles with two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. Patrick Lucas was heavily pursued by the IU staff as a high schooler. Also a native of Alabama, he ended up committing to Ole Miss over offers from Nebraska, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others. He played in four games in 2019 before tearing his achilles and redshirting. Lucas is particularly intriguing because of his combination of size and speed. He played defensive end at 290 pounds while also playing quarterback and tailback in an option offense at Wetumpka High School.
The two players are the first of what IU is hoping are many transfer portal additions in the coming weeks. They both have multiple years of eligibility remaining and both Lucas and Cox will likely feature immediately in the defensive line rotation for IU in 2022. Hoosier Huddle will have continuing coverage of Indiana’s recruiting efforts as they look to build back ahead of the next season.