2021 IU Safety Preview: Filling the Shoes of Jamar Johnson is Top Priority

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Evan Orris

Indiana Football is back in just 13 days when they take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. IU earned one of their highest pre-season rankings ever (#17) while the Hawkeyes are No. 18. In anticipation of the season opener, Hoosier Huddle is previewing each unit for the upcoming 2021 season. Today, we will be going over the safety group.

The main storyline this season for the group will be how they fare replacing Jamar Johnson, who was drafted in the fifth round of the draft this year. However, the Hoosiers have nice depth pieces in place to make up for Johnson’s departure. Here is what the group will look like this upcoming season.

The Starters- Devon Matthews, Raheem Layne

Matthews was a starter last year and enjoyed a much-improved junior season. He racked up 40 total tackles, two tackles for losses, one sack, five pass deflections, and one interception en route to earning third-team All-Big Ten honors.

This season he will return as the anchor in the defensive backfield. The man they call “Monster” has already started to replace Johnson as the vocal leader for the unit too. He has taken it upon himself to seek out Layne, who is transitioning from cornerback to safety, and watching film with him to help him get more comfortable with the playbook.

Entering his fourth season on campus, Matthews has appeared in 30 games and has started 14 of them. He is now well prepared for his new role.

“I’ve been here for four years. This is going to be my fourth year, and I’ve been playing since my freshman year,” Matthews said back in April.  “So, I feel more comfortable about that. Getting on my teammates more as well. So, it’s really just experience.”

Matthews is not the only safety that is looking to add more veteran presence to the secondary unit, either. His partner, Raheem Layne, is making sure that the younger players are also getting adjusted to the grind of college football. He wants to see the program continuing to grow.

“I am trying to make sure that there is no drop off. Make sure we are bringing all the younger guys along with us and continue on the path we are on. I feel like we are on a good path, headed toward success and we are trying to continue to go in the upward direction.” Layne said.

Layne will slide in next to Matthews at his new safety position. The defensive back missed last season due to receiving surgery on his lower left leg, however he is back and has done enough in the spring to earn a starting spot.

In the previous three seasons he played at corner, Layne collected 82 total tackles, 2.5 of them for losses, 6 pass deflections but no interceptions.

The Back-ups- Juwan Burgess, Josh Sanguinetti

Burgess burst onto the scene in 2019. In 15 games, he had 29 tackles, two of them for losses, two pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries. However, he took a step back last season and only appeared in five games.

Despite the limited playing time last season, Burgess still flashed potential and can contribute in some way, shape, and form. If Layne or Matthews struggles, then the senior could see extended playing time.

The same could be said for Sanguinetti also. Much like Burgess, the redshirt sophomore only appeared in six games last season. Still, he showed potential to be a future starter. Thus, he received the backup spot on the Hoosiers preseason depth chart.

Sanguinetti was a former ESPN four-star recruit and was the No. 25 ranked nationally at cornerback. Like fellow safety Raheem Layne, Sanguinetti also made the transition to safety this offseason.

He redshirted his first season on campus, which was the smart decision. Eventually, he can become the starting safety for the Hoosiers once the older players ahead of him graduate.

The Depth- Noah Pierre, Jordan Jusevitch, Bryson Bonds, Deland McCullough II, Maurice Freeman, Jonathan Haynes

The main focus of this group will be Deland McCullough II. The transfer from Miami (OH) University is the son of running backs coach Deland McCullough, so the expectations are high for the young man. He was also responsible for leading the way for his brothers to commit to IU.

The Hoosiers also managed to add Jonathan Haynes, from Ole Miss, through the transfer portal. As a two-year starter for the Rebels, he recorded 86 tackles, four pass deflections and two interceptions. He could eventually play a pivotel role for the defense, however, since he announced his intentions to transfer just over a week ago, he will need to become familiar with the playbook. 

Bryson Bonds and Maurice Freeman should also excite Hoosier fans. Bonds was the top target at safety in 2019 and was an incredible high school player. In his career, he was able to obtain 300 tackles. He is a physical player that can make plays.

The same can be said for Maurice Freeman. Freeman is also a true freshman and will eventually lead the charge for the next generation of Hoosiers. It could be a while for them to receive any sort of playing time, but they have bright careers ahead of them.

Pierre and Jusevitch have not received any sort of extended playing time so far in their careers. They will battle to get onto the field this season.