2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 48 Days (James Bomba)

Written By Ben Gillard

Welcome, Hoosier fans to the 2024 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! Over the next 100 days the Hoosier Huddle staff will feature every player on the 2024 roster in anticipation of the season opener on August 31st against the FIU Golden Panthers. Today, we look at the hometown hero, tight end James Bomba.

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: # 48 – James Bomba

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 252 pounds

Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana

High School: Bloomington South

Class/Position: Redshirt Junior / Tight End

It’s not an understatement to say that James Bomba comes from Hoosier royalty. Bomba’s father was a walk-on that earned a scholarship in the 1990s, and both his paternal grandfather Brad Bomba (1954-1956) and his maternal grandfather Bob Vanpelt (1964-1966) were on scholarship at IU. Additionally, Bomba’s mother, Kelly Bomba, is an associate athletic director for IU.

As a tight end at Bloomington South, Bomba was a team captain and two-time all-state and all-conference player, who was named the team’s most valuable player as a senior. Following in his father’s footsteps, Bomba walked on to the program in the spring of 2021. He redshirted, but quickly began to make a name for himself on the scout team, where he was named scout team player of the week vs. Minnesota and ultimately earned a scholarship heading into the 2022 season.

As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Bomba showed flashes as both a blocking and receiving tight end, catching 5 passes for 22 yards. With this performance, Bomba was able to earn the starting job before the OSU game.

As a sophomore in 2023, Bomba appeared in 11 games with 7 starts. Bomba caught 6 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. This included a crucial 15-yard catch on a 97-yard scoring drive, IU’s longest since 2019. Additionally, he registered a tackle on special teams.

With the hiring of Coach Curt Cignetti and the implementation of a new offensive scheme, Bomba’s role in the offense will likely change. Look for him to become more involved in the passing game next year, as Cignetti’s scheme favors wide open play that helps get guys open. One thing is for sure: like his father and grandfathers before him, The Blocking Bomber of Bloomington (a nickname this writer has coined) will be a fixture on IU’s offense.