2021 Indiana Hoosiers Linebacker Preview Spring Position Preview

Written by Evan Orris

This offseason the Hoosiers replaced defensive coordinator Kane Wommack with Charlton Warren. Along with the defensive coordinator position, Warren also gained the title of linebacker’s coach. He will be in charge of a very tough, rambunctious, and intelligent group. Warren’s teachings and philosophy should match the intensity of this group.

The unit returns five players who recorded starts last season, including star Micah McFadden. The group also gains a boost with the return of veteran Marcelino McCrary-Ball who will fill a hybrid role at Husky. Warren should have a lot of fun tinkering and playing with his new bag of toys.

Linebackers

Thomas Allen (RS SR.) 6’3” 237 pounds

Allen, the son of head coach Tom Allen, appeared in four games before suffering a season-ending hip injury. In those games Allen was able to rack up seven tackles. This spring should be a quiet one from Allen. He will continue to recover from injury while being a vocal leader in the locker room.

D.K. Bonhomme (JR.) 6’3” 250 pounds

Bonhomme spent time at both defensive end and linebacker last season. Bonhomme should mostly be on the defensive line this season after racking up a sack and two tackles for losses. However, his versatility is unmatched and could move back to linebacker if the injury bug bites.

Aaron Casey (RS JR.) 6’2” 234 pounds

Casey was more of a rotational player for the defense but flashed his potential in those snaps. Casey appeared in all eight games while racking up 15 tackles, three tackles for losses and one sack. He is a solid run defender, but like most of IU’s linebackers he needs to improve his coverage skills in spring practice.

Cam Jones (SR.) 6’3” 230 pounds

Jones started in seven games next to Micah McFadden, and the duo was fantastic together. Jones ended the season with 35 tackles, four tackles for losses and three sacks which was capped off by an All-Big Ten honorable mention. Jones was stout against the run but struggled in coverage. Opponents completed 70% of the throws against him for 171 yards and three touchdowns. This spring he must improve on his coverage skills. Jones should still have no worries regaining his starting spot.

Micah McFadden (SR.) 6’2” 235 pounds

McFadden was the leader of the defense last season and received a first-team All-Big Ten and an AP All-America third team honors. He led the team with 59 tackles, and 10.5 tackles for losses. He also totaled six sacks and two interceptions. McFadden could have left Bloomington for a shot at the pros, however he decided to return. This spring McFadden needs to fine tune his skills and replicate his outstanding season. The Hoosiers defense will ultimately fall on his shoulders.

James Miller (RS JR.) 6’2” 231 pounds

Miller appeared in all eight games and recorded a start against Maryland. He finished the season with 24 tackles and a fumble recovery. He figures to be another rotational player for the defense and gives the unit more depth.

Cam Williams (RS SO.) 6’3” 230 pounds

The redshirt sophomore appeared in four games last season for the Hoosiers. He adds to the depth at the position. Williams was the No.4 prospect in all of Indiana and the No.11 ranked outside linebacker nationally.

Ty Wise (SO.) 6’2” 222 pounds

Wise only appeared in the Outback Bowl this season. Most of the time he was on the scout team, and he even earned scout team player of the week against Penn State. With a crowded group, it will be hard for Wise to get playing time.

Husky Linebackers (Also included in our DB Preview)

Marcelino McCrary-Ball (RS SR.) 6’0” 220 pounds

McCrary-Ball missed last season after suffering a torn ACL in spring practice. Ball was a four-year starter before the injury. He should regain his starting spot at the ‘Husky’ position. In 2019, Ball started 12 games and totaled 47 tackles, three tackles for losses and two sacks. He brings more experience to the Hoosiers linebacking core.

Bryant Fitzgerald (RS JR.) 6’0” 209 pounds

Fitzgerald started all eight games in-place of Ball for the Hoosiers. Fitzgerald ended the season with 17 tackles and two pass breakups. A safety who converted to the Husky position a year ago, Fitzgerald offers more upside in pass coverage than in the run game. Even with Ball returning, Fitzgerald should still see plenty of snaps all over the field.

Maurice Freeman (FR.)

Freeman is an in-coming three-star recruit from Virginia. His team did not play this season due to Covid, but as a junior Freeman recorded 55 tackles, 11 of them for losses, five sacks, five forced fumbles, and one interception.

McFadden and Cam Jones are locked into the starting spots for this group with McCrary Ball expected to man the ‘husky’ position. Also look for Bryant Fitzgerald, Aaron Casey and Thomas Allen, when he returns from injury, to all lodge meaningful snaps for this defense. Especially Fitzgerald, with his experience at safety, he can move all around the field and fill-in wherever needed for this defense. Overall, the linebackers should be the glue that holds this defense together.