2021 IU Cornerback Preview: Anchored by an All-American, IU's Corners are a Force to be Reckoned With

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Hoosier Huddle is previewing each position ahead of the 2021 season for the 17th ranked Indiana Hoosiers. Today’s preview takes a detailed look at one of the most talented and deepest positions the Hoosiers have: cornerback.

The Starters

-Tiawan Mullen-

The Fort Lauderdale native is one of the best corners in the country and expectations are sky-high for the junior to repeat the success he had in 2020 and 2019. Mullen had 38 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups and a surprising 3.5 sacks. Kane Wommack deployed Mullen on blitzes and it paid off as he led all Big Ten defensive backs in sacks. His play earned him First-Team All-American honors and his leadership and attitude has helped the IU defense take a step forward as a unit. Mullen is a lockdown corner and the anchor of this unit.

-Reese Taylor-

It has been a journey to get to this point but Reese Taylor has found a home in the secondary and he is penciled in as the starter opposite of Tiawan Mullen. The senior from Indianapolis came to Indiana University after a stellar high school career at quarterback. He started the year at corner but was moved to offense early in the season as a freshman. Taylor had 28 catches, ran the ball 15 times and returned a few kicks. His heart was on defense though as he knew his professional future was likely on that side of the ball. The IU coaches moved him to the secondary before the 2019 season and he played limited time at cornerback, making 13 tackles and getting one interception. He showed enough flashes of his potential to make it seem plausible he’d be a factor in 2020. Those flashes got more consistent and Taylor played all eight games, starting three of them. His seven pass breakups were tied for fourth in the Big Ten and he improved dramatically as a consistent cover corner. Cementing himself as an All-Big Ten type corner is the goal for Taylor in his senior campaign.

-Jaylin Williams-

Given the nature of modern offenses, IU is often going to play three corners at the same time. More often than not, that third corner is going to be Jaylin Williams. The senior from Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the steadiest and most reliable players at the position that IU has had. It’s unfair to call him a “third corner” or strictly a “nickel” package player as Williams will be on the field a majority of the time in IU’s base defense. He has played in every game (33) of his Indiana University career and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last season thanks to four interceptions and 30 tackles.

It is not hyperbole to stack IU’s trio of corners up against any in the Big Ten and feel pretty good about where the Hoosiers stand.

The Next Wave

All three of those players will have the option to return for the 2022 season but it’s also very possible that one, two or all three of them are playing in the NFL after this campaign. The Hoosiers have continued to amass talent behind them and several players are working for a chance to contribute this season and shine in the future.

-Christopher Keys-

A redshirt freshman from Mississippi, Keys has a terrific and lengthy frame that helped him earn snaps in three games last season.

“They pick up quick,” Reese Taylor said of Keys and fellow youngster Lem Watley-Neely. “They learn the defense quick, they listen to us and always make sure they are on the right track. The defense fits to them and makes them play their roles right.”

Keys could be part of the rotation at corner this fall.

-Lem Watley-Neely-

Another redshirt freshman, this one from Harper Woods, Michigan, Watley-Neely is also 6’0” and 180 pounds. He played in two games last season after being an all-state selection in Michigan in 2019. The future is bright for both Keys and Watley-Neely but they could see slightly increased roles as soon as this season.

-Larry Tracy III-

A redshirt sophomore from Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis, Tracy is one of the prime candidates for a rotation role behind the front three corners. Tracy appeared in all eight games last season as a corner and on special teams. He was a three-time all-state selection and has the physical ability to earn additional playing time in 2021.

The Newcomers

-Jordan Grier-

It’s unclear if Grier is going to end up being a safety or a corner. He helped lead Cedar Grove High School in Georgia to three state championships and also lettered in baseball and track and field. As a junior, Grier had four pick-6s and also returned kicks. He’s a stellar athlete with a good frame but as a freshman, it’s unlikely he sees much time just yet.

-Larry Smith III-

Another Larry III, this one is Smith and not Tracy. He is a true freshman from Jacksonville, Florida and Oakleaf High School. Smith is a very quick athlete that was a four-star recruit. He was a high-priority target for the Indiana Hoosiers and his high school highlights showed a guy that moved very fluidly in coverage. Again, it’s unlikely a true freshman cracks the rotation for any significant time.

The Walk-Ons

The cornerback position is so deep that it will take a number of injuries for any of these guys to see the field for critical snaps but the Hoosiers have several quality walk-ons in the secondary. Gabe Cohen is a super senior that graduated with a liberal studies degree and played at Villanova for a couple of seasons. Chase Washington is a senior from Bloomington South High School. Joseph Daniels is a redshirt junior and probably the best of the bunch. He appeared in a couple of games in 2020 and was multi-sport star at Roswell High School in Georgia. Dekaleb Thomas is another standout as a walk-on, winning scout team player of the week on two occasions last season. Liam Zaccheo, Connor Hole, Nicholas Grieser and Patrick Finley are all underclassmen.

The Indiana Hoosiers cornerback room has a trio that is as good as anyone’s in the Big Ten. If needed, there are a few very talented players developing behind them and waiting for their chance. This is a terrific unit that should be a piece of one of the best defensive squads IU has ever had.