State of the Room- IUFB Defensive Line

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Indiana football’s roster and coaching staff have undergone a slew of changes following a disappointing 2021 season. With Tom Allen’s emphasis on upgrading the defensive line through both the transfer portal and incoming class of high school recruits coupled with Coach Kevin People’s departure to Missouri, the D line room could arguably boast the most of these changes heading into next season.

Allen wasted no time in hiring Texas Tech’s Paul Randolph to lead the defensive line after People’s exit. Randolph has 24 years of coaching and administrative experience, including 21 leading defensive lines. Randolph will need to quickly turn the tides; Indiana recorded just 17 sacks in 12 games last season, only 5.5 of which came from the defensive line. Worse yet, all 5.5 came from Weston Kramer and Ryder Anderson, who are both now without eligibility.

DEPARTURES

Along with Ryder Anderson and Weston Kramer who leave with no remaining eligibility as previously mentioned, additional changes have hit the defensive line room. Indiana added a few names from the transfer portal, but also lost Shamar Jones, CJ Person, and Gavin McCabe. All saw time with the Hoosiers over their careers, but Person is likely the biggest loss. After entering the portal, he eventually opted to rejoin Kane Wommack at South Alabama.

RETURNEES

With the players returning to Indiana’s defensive line room, the Hoosiers are looking for a big jump in production. While not formally announced, it is expected that Demarcus Elliott will return in 2022 after tweeting his One Word, which is big news. Elliott started in all 10 games he appeared in last season and his size makes him a pest on the interior. Many of the other returnees have certainly had their moments of glory throughout their careers, but are looking to become more consistent havoc wreakers along the line next season.

NEWCOMERS

Indiana is excited about all three of its defensive line finds in the transfer portal: LeDarrius Cox (Ole Miss), Patrick Lucas (Ole Miss), and JH Tevis (Cal). Cox and Lucas are big bodies to play in the interior, while Tevis will play along the edge. All three have multiple years of eligibility remaining.

DL was also a priority for Indiana in this year’s cycle of high school recruits. After some concern that he might follow his father to Notre Dame, Dasan McCullough reaffirmed his commitment to the Hoosiers last week and is the gem of the class. McCullough is joined by fellow 4-star defensive line recruit Dominick James, along with 3-stars Venson Sneed, Richard Thomas, and last week’s signing day addition, J’mari Monette.

SCHOLARSHIP DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

·      Jaren “Stone” Handy

·      Cooper Jones

·      Beau Robbins

·      James Head Jr.

·      Jonathan King

·      Alfred Bryant

·      Dasan McCullough

·      Richard Thomas

·      JH Tevis

·      Venson Sneed

·      Demarcus Elliott

·      Sio Nofoagatoto’a

·      Antoine Whitner Jr.

·      Caleb Murphy

·      LeDarrius Cox

·      Patrick Lucas Jr.

·      Dominick “Nick” James

·      J’mari Monette