2023 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 99 Days (Nick James)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2023 edition of the Hoosier Huddle Countdown is officially underway! 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, we take a look at a defensive lineman likely set for a bigger role than he saw a season ago: Nick James.

Name: Nick James

Hometown: Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)

Position: Defensive Line

Year: Redshirt Freshman

Height/Weight: 6’2”/282 pounds

Nick James committed to Indiana prior to the 2022 season after a stellar two seasons at prestigious IMG Academy. James began his high school career in Alabama before moving to Bradenton, Florida. He was a four-star prospect and has a good skillset that is expected to allow him to have an impact in Bloomington. James played in four games in 2022, allowing him to keep his redshirt for the season. He had two tackles against Illinois and one against the Michigan Wolverines.

Entering the 2023 season, the IU defensive front is going to look different than it did in 2022. A couple of very solid contributors are returning but the IU coaching staff has addressed this position very hard in the transfer portal. Newcomers include Marcus Burris Jr., Philip Blidi, Robby Harrison and Andre Carter. Nick James is not set to start just yet but he will definitely be in the rotation and it’s likely that nine or ten defensive linemen are going to be playing a significant number of snaps during each game. Where exactly James falls in the pecking order will be determined by fall camp but in the rotation is the expectation. His development is a critical piece of the future of the Indiana defensive front.

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