2024 Spring Preview- Linebacker

Image: Aiden Fisher, Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle) 

The Indiana Hoosiers will be replacing both starting linebackers from last season in Aaron Casey and Jacob Mangum-Farrar. IU did hit the transfer portal for several impact linebackers including both starters from James Madison and Jayden McDaniel from Troy. Hoosier Huddle broke down the linebacker position battle earlier this spring, but here is a look at the whole spring.

Jayden McDonald, 6’0” 232 lbs. Graduate +

McDonald came to IU from Troy and Iowa prior to that. In five seasons at Troy McDonald played in 35 games, so he is experienced. In 2023 he start 12 of Troy’s 13 games and made 75 tackles including 9.5 for a loss with a sack. He will battle Aiden Fisher for the starting middle backer spot, but at the very least provides a very productive and experienced backup.

Darryl Minor, 6’0” 222 lbs. Sr+

Minor did not see any game action in 2023 after transferring from UTEP. That could and probably should change this year with a new staff in Bloomington. Minor led Tyler Junior College in tackles for loss in 2021 before heading to UTEP. If he can flash some of that ability and production, he should be able to provide depth at the linebacker position and allow others to stay fresh all season long.

Joshua Rudolph, 5’11” 225lbs. Sr

Rudolph is another player who played sparingly in 2023, but when he did play was pretty productive. He did play in all 12 games and made 18 total tackles with 2.5 coming for loss. Rudolph should be in a battle for playing time at the weakside linebacker spot and find his way onto the field more in passing situations. He may be IU’s quickest linebacker as well, which makes up for him being a tad undersized.

Jailin Walker, 6’1” 215 lbs. Sr

Walker is one of the two starting linebackers that Curt Cignetti brought with him from James Madison. Walker will likely start at the weakside spot. The last two seasons Walker has been tabbed as All-Sun Belt honorable mention. Walker dealt with injury in 2023, which limited him to 11 games and 10 starts out of a possible 13. He finished the year with 61 tackles, 5.5 of which came for a loss. Walker is banged up this spring from offseason surgery, but is familiar with the playbook and scheme of the defense.

Aiden Fisher, 6’2” 232 lbs. Jr

Fisher led JMU in tackles last season with 102 and was named third-team All-Sun Belt after playing in all 13 games with 11 starts. He should plug in to the starting spot at the middle linebacker position. If you watched Fisher early on in the 2023 season and compared him to the end of the year, the improvement was immense. Fisher will fill the shoes of Aaron Casey as the leader of the defense.

Kaiden Turner, 6’2” 226 lbs. RS So

The expectations for Turner entering the 2023 season were high. While he was clearly behind Aaron Casey and Mangum-Farrar, there was supposed to be a role for him. However, Turner played in just six games, mostly on special teams. It’s a new day for Turner who has a chance to impress a new coaching staff and get back on the path to major playing time. He should be in the rotation and if he can build off of the last four games of 2022, the linebacker room becomes pretty deep.

Isaiah Jones, 6’2” 227 lbs. RS Soph

Jones came in to IU with Turner and the duo was supposed to be the linebacking future at IU. However, Jones has played in just four games in two seasons. Like Turner, Jones can benefit from the staff and scheme change and hopefully continue to develop into the player that IU recruited him to be.

Walk-ons

Jackson Schott, RS Jr

Jeffrey Utzinger RS So

Sam Tallen RS So

Clayton Allen RS Fr