COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Day 22 Jamari Sharpe
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 187 pounds
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Class/Position: Redshirt Junior / Defensive Back
The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff is nearing its final weeks! For the 100 days leading up to kickoff, we at Hoosier Huddle will feature every player from the 2025 roster in anticipation of Indiana’s first game of the season against Old Dominion. Today, we will highlight a fourth-year defensive back for the Hoosiers, Jamari Sharpe.
A big question in entering fall camp has been who will start opposite All-American D’Angelo Ponds at cornerback, and often the answer has been Jamari Sharpe. Sharpe started in 9 and appeared in 12 games in 2023 under Tom Allen before seeing a slightly smaller role last season under Curt Cignetti, appearing in 9 games with 3 starts. He’ll have competition for his role again this season, as Pittsburgh transfer Ryland Gandy, true freshman Jaylen Bell, and Dontrae Henderson will all be vying for the spot as well. However, at Big Ten Media Days last month, Cignetti gave the early nod to Sharpe.
“I think he’s grown up a lot and improved as a football player,” Cignetti said about Sharpe. “He has a couple of guys breathing down his neck that have a chance to be good players too, so we’ve got good competition at that field corner spot.”
Sharpe’s best performance last season likely came against Purdue in the season finale, not allowing a catch in 27 coverage snaps per Pro Football Focus. He’ll also have the support of his All-American counterpart, who has seen great improvement from him throughout the offseason.
“He’s been evolving tremendously,” Ponds said. “He’s gotten way better since I met him. Jamari has been great for us. I think he’s going to have a big season this year.”
If he ultimately is the starter, he will surely be busy with Ponds locking down the other half of the field. If he can have a great season, though, the Indiana defense could once again be a force to be reckoned with.
The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!