Jaren Handy Hopes to be the Bear IU Needs on the Defensive Line

Jaren Handy (55) will play the Bull position for IU

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Incoming transfer defensive lineman Jaren Handy is coming to hilly Bloomington from the plains of Auburn, Alabama. The first thing he talked about was the scenery surrounding the southern Indiana college town. “I love it. I know it's different from Auburn and stuff like that. But like for me, being from Mississippi, seeing trees and mountains. Just seeing deer in the yard, rabbits running around you will see that all the time so it's kind of different, but I like definitely like it.” Handy said. The Hoosiers aren’t looking for Handy to be a deer or a rabbit, they hope the big lineman to be a bear along the defensive line.

A bear is exactly what IU needs as well. After losing Jerome Johnson, Javon Swann and Damarjhe Lewis upfront, Handy gives them the depth and talent to take the next step. Handy watched IU from afar last year to check in how how his cousin Ty Fryfogle was doing. “I watched every game.” Handy said. “I felt like they should have won every game. The Ohio State game and I was really upset with them, with the Ole Miss game because I felt like they really could have pull it out.”

Along with his six-foot-five 255-pound frame, that “they should win” attitude is something that will fit in well with head coach Tom Allen.

“As far as why I chose Indiana, I felt like I had a pretty good chance to play.” Handy said. “The team is up and coming. I think we are just one step away from winning the Big Ten and getting a championship at the end of it, and I am excited for that.”

Indiana’s defensive line coach Kevin Peoples has a good connection with Handy and is already making sure he’s adjusting well to Bloomington.

“Coach Peoples is really cool. He called me the other day to make sure I was good, that I got all my stuff, and to make sure that I ate and stuff like that. Coach has been checking in on me to see how workouts have been going as well. He has shown a lot of love toward me.” Handy said.

On the field, Handy will play the ‘Bull” position that will let him use his pass rush skills.

“I am going to be playing is the bull. I am going to be pass rushing, dropping back in coverage, and moving around like that. I felt like this would be a great chance to showcase my talent and what I can do.” Handy explained.

Handy had three tackles for loss in two seasons for the Auburn Tigers and is hoping that more playing time will equal more production.