2023 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 1 Day (Donaven McCulley)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2023 edition of the Hoosier Huddle Countdown is down to just one single day remaining! We are counting down from 100 to the beginning of the 2023 Indiana University football season. Each day, we will take a look at one (or two) players on the current Indiana football roster and highlight the player’s role in the upcoming season. Today’s article focuses on a pair of players, one on each side of the ball: Andre Carter and Donaven McCulley.

Name: Donaven McCulley

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN (Lawrence North High School)

Position: Wide Receiver

Year: Junior

Height/Weight: 6’5”/198 pounds

Donaven McCulley has had quite a journey. He was a four-star quarterback prospect at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. McCulley was one of three finalists for the state’s Mr. Football award and was the Marion County Male Athlete of the Year in 2020. McCulley started four games and appeared in seven games for the Hoosiers during the 2021 season. There were highs and lows but it was apparent that McCulley had terrific athletic ability. In the spring of 2022, Donaven McCulley made a switch from quarterback to wide receiver. That was a bold change but one he felt made the most sense for his football future. McCulley bulked up and worked hard to learn the new position. He appeared in all 12 games for Indiana, ultimately totaling 16 receptions for 169 yards with one touchdown. 

McCulley enters his second season as a wide receiver with a much better understanding of what it takes to play the position and he has slimmed down a bit to add more explosiveness to his skillset. McCulley is the tallest receiver the Hoosiers have. Standing at 6’5”, McCulley has great size and provides a big target for IU’s quarterbacks. He’s ready for a larger role in the Indiana offense and the passing attack should take a step forward along with him in 2023.

The countdown continues with a new profile each and every day so come back to hoosierhuddle.com daily!