2023 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 12 Days (Jaylin Lucas)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2023 edition of the Hoosier Huddle Countdown is down to just one dozen days 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 young player with huge expectations and a whole lot of excitement: Jaylin Lucas.

Name: Jaylin Lucas

Hometown: Houma, Louisiana (Edna Karr High School)

Position: Running Back/Return Specialist

Year: Sophomore

Height/Weight: 5’9”/166 pounds

In a season without a whole lot of highlights for the Indiana Hoosiers, Jaylin Lucas stood out like a shining star in the dark night sky. A native of Louisiana, Lucas came to Indiana after averaging 125.5 all-purpose yards in his senior season at Edna Karr High School in the New Orleans area. Lucas committed to Tulane before decommitting and switching to Tom Allen and the Hoosiers. IU knew they needed some explosion and quickness added to the offense and went after Lucas hard, making him a priority in the 2022 recruiting class. Experts in New Orleans were stunned he was not recruited by SEC schools and believed he could be a star in short order. Once he got a chance, it was easy to see why.

Lucas made his first appearance against Idaho and played in eleven games in his freshman season, leading the FBS with two kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also began to get some action as a running back and wide receiver and stood out against Purdue with 130 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. He racked up honors after the season, being named an All-America kick returner and all-purpose All-Big Ten by the Associated Press. Despite limited opportunities, it was clear that Indiana has a very special player in Bloomington. There was speculation that Jaylin Lucas may utilize the transfer portal and move closer to home and to a more prestigious program. He undoubtedly had opportunities presented to him. Ultimately, Tom Allen and Walt Bell laid out a plan that was enticing to Lucas and he believes in what the Hoosiers are building on offense.

“Here at Indiana man, it’s just all love. I’m not really thinking about the portal right now. I just feel like this is the best fit for me, and I could see myself building a legacy here at Indiana,” Lucas said in April.

Obviously, Lucas was not going to spoil any of the plans IU has in mind for him in 2023 but he shed a little bit of light during spring practice. “My interest in the passing game role is very big, you are going to see me spread out in the slot a little bit and you are going to see me in the backfield. I am just going to be all over the field, just being that main key factor for the Hoosiers.”

What that looks like is going to be fascinating to watch play out. Jaylin Lucas will be returning kicks, there is no doubt about that. His presence will impact how teams approach kick offs and even if he does not get a chance to return a kick, it could positively impact IU’s starting field position. He will also be utilized as both a running back and a wide receiver. Josh Henderson and Christian Turner will probably be the two lead backs for the Hoosiers but it would be foolish not to give some carries to Lucas as a change of pace threat. Some multi-back sets with Lucas and someone like Henderson or Turner would make a lot of sense and could present problems for opposing defenses. However he gets deployed, the reality is that Jaylin Lucas is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and he’ll be an exciting focal point for the Indiana offense in 2023.

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