Freshman Quarterback Donaven McCulley Will Not Take Redshirt Year

Image: Zach Greene, Hoosier Huddle

Written by Evan Orris

True freshman Donaven McCulley was never supposed to see the field this season for more than four games and was supposed to take a redshirt year. That plan was quickly thrown out the window when starter Michael Penix went down with a shoulder injury.

Ultimately, redshirt junior Jack Tuttle was awarded the starting spot. However, McCulley still managed to see the field in the Hoosiers 20-15 loss to the Michigan State Spartans last Saturday. The freshman took three snaps under center. He managed to rush for eight yards on two of those snaps and threw a lateral on the other. 

In college football, players can appear in a maximum of four games before losing their redshirt eligibility. So far, McCulley has only appeared in one game but head coach Tom Allen has already decided that he will forgo the redshirt.

“When Michael [Penix Jr.] went down, we had to make the decision that he's going to have to go,” Allen said. “But before that, that was kind of the thought, to just use those four games in a judicious way. Now he's the number two guy, training to be the next guy in.”

However, Allen’s decision may have already been made for him. As it stands—due to the Penix injury and a preseason ACL injury to Dexter Williams II—the Hoosiers only have three healthy quarterbacks, not including Tuttle and McCulley. All three of those quarterbacks have never appeared in a game and are walk-ons. Therefore, McCulley will be needed barring any injury to Tuttle. Which was a key factor in the decision to not redshirt him.

“I think because of that, knowing he is the number two, and he is the next guy in the game if something happens to Jack, you have to prepare him as such. To me you have to have a long-term mindset with that,” Allen said of McCulley’s redshirt decision. “How we scheme and develop things, and not think we're still going to try to protect him for those four games. To me you take that out of your head, and you just assume that would be the case.” 

The former four-star recruit is an Indianapolis native and attended Lawrence North. His senior season, McCulley threw for 2,576 yards, 22 touchdowns, and completed 70% of his throws. He also added 506 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Because of his superb season, he won the IFCA MR. Football position award and became the No. 2 ranked prospect in Indiana and the No. 4 ranked dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.

On Monday, Allen labeled him as a “guy who can make plays with the ball in his hand. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan also called him a “talented passer.” Now, they must put those aspects to use to help their lack of creativity offensively.

“Expect to see him more,” Allen said. “Really kind of even thought we might use him a little bit more Saturday. I wanted to see us do that, and we will. Obviously, that was his first time ever playing in a game collegiately. He did some good things. Just have to get him to be able to get out there and play football. Very talented guy.”