Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 99 Days (Jalen Mayala)

Written by: Nathan Comp

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff has begun! Just 14 weeks remain until the Hoosiers hope to kickoff the 2020 season at Camp Randall Stadium against the Wisconsin Badgers. Today, we’ll highlight freshman defensive lineman Jalen Mayala.

Name – Jalen Mayala

Position – Defensive Line

Year/Hometown – Freshman from Dacula, Georgia

Height – 6’3”

Weight – 230 pounds

The first player featured on our countdown, Jalen Mayala is a projected weakside defensive end, but a guaranteed natural athlete. A three-year football and two-year basketball letter winner in high school, Mayala prides himself in his ability to play anything. “I’m really an athlete,” said Mayala. “I can play any sport: soccer, tennis, water polo, golf, it doesn’t matter.”

Mayala flashed athleticism all over the field for Archer High School in Georgia, earning himself 19 scholarship offers before ultimately committing to Indiana in February of 2020. The 3-star prospect by 247Sports was ranked the 85th best player in the state of Georgia. Though most of his highlights show him playing more of an outside linebacker position in high school, Coach Allen expects to add weight to his lengthy, 230-pound frame and put him along the defensive line.

"Jalen is a very talented defensive player and we are excited to welcome him to IU,” said Allen. “He's a long athlete and we are going to use him at defensive end. Jalen brings great athleticism and the ability to rush the passer.”

A likely redshirt candidate early in his career, Mayala’s length and athleticism shows great potential to be a big-time contributor rushing quarterbacks later in his career.