Hoosiers Spring Football Preview: Safeties

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The 2023 Indiana Hoosiers will feature a slew of new names in the defensive secondary after many of the staples that Hoosier fans have grown accustomed to have either graduated or moved on to the professional level. Players like Jaylin Williams, Tiawan Mullen, Bryant Fitzgerald, and Devon “Monster” Matthews will be absent this season. Brandon Shelby returns to coach the cornerbacks, but new co-defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri will take over the safeties after Jason Jones was hired by North Carolina.

While it can be tough to move on, the refresh was likely needed; Indiana finished the season last year ranked 120th nationally in pass defense after allowing 274.2 yards through the air per game. The total defense was not much better, ranking 119th in the FBS. Tom Allen and his staff hit the defensive back position hard in recruiting and today we will preview the safeties portion of this new-look room.

Returnees

Sometimes the best commitments a coach can ask for are the re-commitments of current players; that is exactly the case with Noah Pierre and Josh Sanguinetti. Pierre announced he would return shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 season and his return is massive for the secondary. He’s a veteran leader and a physical tackler that can line up all over the secondary; he may ultimately play husky, but don’t be surprised to see him move around. Sanguinetti returns after entering his name in the transfer portal but then ultimately deciding to return to the Hoosiers for a fifth season. Of Indiana’s 14 top tacklers last season, only three will return this year – Pierre and Sanguinetti make up two of the three (Aaron Casey being the third).

These primary two will be joined by some other familiar, but a bit less known, names that will return next season. Louis Moore joined as a transfer from community college last season and appeared in all twelve games. His highlight of the season came when he and Cam Jones combined on a 2nd quarter sack against Nebraska and forced a fumble that was recovered by Myles Jackson for a touchdown. Bryson Bonds also returns for his fourth year after appearing in each game last year and recording 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. Rounding out the room, Jordan Grier and Phillip Dunham are both guys that have played well enough early in their careers to not have used a redshirt. Grier has played in 18 games through his first two years, while Dunham appeared in every game as a true freshman last year and recorded five tackles and a pass breakup.

Newcomers

While the Hoosiers added a few guys from the transfer portal to join the defensive secondary, Stanford transfer Nicolas Toomer is likely the name to see playing safety. Toomer played four years at Stanford but and still has two years of eligibility. His best statistical season came in 2021, when he played in nine games and amassed 22 total tackles, one for loss, and three pass breakups. He played in 11 of Stanford’s 12 games in 2022 in a backup role.

Indiana also did work in the junior college circuit, landing both Jamison Kelly and Tyrik McDaniel. Kelly, from Columbia, Mississippi, started his college career at Louisiana Tech where he played in 17 games and made 11 tackles. He transferred to Jones Community College in 2022 where he started all 10 games and led the team in forced fumbles. McDaniel is a three-star JUCO prospect who started his college career at Old Dominion before landing at Independence C.C. He was listed as the top-rated JUCO safety by 247Sports.

Spring practice will also see a new face by way of high school recruiting, Amare Ferrell. Ferrell is the 2nd highest ranked recruit in the 2023 class by 247Sports rankings, and the highest enrolling early to join the team in the spring. The 6’1” 195-pounder was a 4-star recruit by Rivals and led Columbia High School in Florida to a state semi-finals appearance. Out of all the freshmen in the class, he is one of the most likely to see immediate playing time.

Final Analysis

The value of Noah Pierre and Josh Sanguinetti’s returns cannot be underestimated. While there is certainly talent in other aspects of the room, those two are guys that have proven they are capable against Big Ten opponents and will bring valuable leadership and experience. With the additions of a couple key transfer portal and JUCO guys, along with a prize recruit joining the room, the Indiana secondary could be in for a rebound year.