2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 48 Days (Donaven McCully)

Written by: Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The 2021 Countdown to Kickoff is past the halfway point and the season is right around the corner as Media Days and fall camp are just mere weeks away. Today we are profiling incoming freshman quarterback Donaven McCulley, who will wear number zero, for Day 48.

Name: Donaven McCulley

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Position: Quarterback

Year: Freshman

Height/Weight: 6’5”/200 pounds

McCulley was the gem of the 2021 recruiting class for the Hoosiers and while he may be a year or two away from the starting job, his potential has IU fans thinking big. McCulley is a local player from Indianapolis’ Lawrence North High School where he led Lawrence North to a 7-4 record in 2020, the program’s first winning season since 2005 and closed his career with 6,211 passing yards, 1,274 rushing yards, 47 touchdowns and a 128.1 quarterback rating.

He earned numerous awards including a 2020 Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Top 50 all-state selection, IFCA Mr. Football position award winner, was one of three Mr. Football finalists, named to the All-Great Lakes Region Team, named to the Indiana All-USA Super Team and the Marion County Player of the Year.

McCulley will enter the fall as the clear third-string quarterback behind Michael Penix and Jack Tuttle. It’s more a testament to IU’s quarterback room than anything as there is time to let McCulley develop in the system. The hope is that Penix and Tuttle can stay healthy the entire year so McCulley doesn’t have to get thrown into the fire and maybe he will get some game reps should the opportunity present itself during the season.

Allen Trieu of 247 Sports had this scouting report on McCulley:

“Tall, bigger-framed prospect. Very good athlete who can run and make plays with his feet. Throws well on the move and shows the ability to throw from every angle and does not have to be set to generate velocity. Above-average arm strength and can throw with touch. Has to keep working on getting set and getting rid of the ball quickly consistently. Although he was forced to scramble more based on protection. Could potentially play another position but has good upside as a quarterback. If the talent gets polished, he can start at a high-major level and have a chance to play beyond college.”