Hoosiers Spring Practice Preview: Familiar Linebackers Get Reinforcements from the Portal
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Written by Zachary Greene (@zachegreene)
The IU Football program has a track record of developing LB’s into NFL caliber players. (Micah McFadden, Marcelino Mccrary-Ball) This past season, the position played well led by team captain Cam Jones who departed for the NFL and will be participating in the NFL combine this week. The program also lost Bradley Jennings Jr. who filled in great this past season. Both players ability to find the ball and read plays are something that the current linebackers will need to take to heart.
The returning players are relatively young with Aaron Casey being the veteran of the group. The young linebacker who is expected to take an increased role this season is Kaiden Turner. Turner was a top-20 prospect in the state of Arkansas and played in four games as a true freshman. The three incoming transfer LB’s, Jacob-Mangum-Farrar (Stanford), Darryl Minor (UTEP), and Joshua Rudolph (Austin Peay) are expected to take leadership roles this season and receive a ton of playing time during spring ball. Farrar is the standout of the incoming transfers. He put together an impressive tape this while at Stanford and got the attention of the program after the departure of former Stanford head coach David Shaw. Now let’s dive into the individual players.
Departed
Cam Jones- NFL Draft
Bradley Jennings Jr. -NFL Draft
Returning
Jared Casey
Aaron Casey
Kaiden Turner
Xavier Trueblood
Jeff Utzinger
Matt Hohlt
Andrew Turvy
Isaiah Jones
Sam Tallen
Incoming
Jacob Mangum-Farrar
Darryl Minor
Joshua Rudolph
Aaron Casey- Senior+- The Hoosiers got a boost when Casey decided to come back. It gives them some more veteran depth and a leader who has been in the program for a while. 2022 was Casey’s break out season. He led the Hoosiers in tackles with 86 tackles. He had 10.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 11 games.
Jared Casey- Senior - Originally an Oregon commit who then flipped to Kentucky. Casey appeared in eight games this past season and an impact in the Hoosiers opening win against Illinois. Casey will be expected to take a leadership role this upcoming season with his veteran experience. Jared Casey 247 Profile
Kaiden Turner- RS Freshman- As a freshman, Turner appeared in four games, getting valuable playing experience against Ohio State and Michigan State. He led the team in tackles in the Hoosiers loss against Purdue. Out of high school, Turner was a sought-out recruit for Indiana. A 3-Star from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Turner was a ball hawk who displayed an ability to create havoc and turnover the ball in high school. Expect Turner to see an increased role in Bloomington this season. Kaiden Turner 247 Profile
Xavier Trueblood-Junior-Bloomington North Grad, Trueblood walked on during the 2020 covid season. He has not seen the field yet but will be a valuable piece in the linebacker group with his experience. Xavier Trueblood 247 Profile
Jeff Utzinger-Redshirt Sophomore- A walk-on during the 2022 fall camp Utzinger attended Cathedral High School in Indy. This past season he earned defensive scout team player of the week against Cincinnati and Ohio State. Utzinger will be looking to prove himself during spring camp. Jeff Utzinger 247 Profile
Matt Hohlt-Redshirt Junior- A walk-on during the 2021 fall camp. Hohlt took advantage of his playing time during the 2021 season, earning a bunch of playing time this past season. He appeared in 10 games making a start. He was consistent on the field tallying 19 tackles. Hohlt will be another linebacker to watch out for during spring ball. Matt Hohlt 247 Profile
Andrew Turvy-Redshirt Junior- Another walk-on during the 2021 fall camp, Turvy earned scout team player of the week honors and defensive scout team player of the week honor during the 2021 season. This past season he made appearances in five games making his debut against Idaho. Turvy will bet on himself during spring camp and hopes to make the most of his playing time. Carmel High School Grad. Andrew Turvy 247 Profile
Isaiah Jones- RS Freshman- A freshman out of London, Ohio. Jones appeared in two games this past season making his debut against Penn State. He earned special teams’ player of the week honors against Rutgers. Got valuable playing time against Ohio State picking up a tackle. No. 28 ranked player in Ohio according the 247 sports. Dad played tight end for Ohio State back in the day. (1992-1994)
Sam Tallen-Redshirt Sophomore- A walk on during the 2022 fall camp Tallen attended Northwest Prep in Bloomington, Illinois. Did not see any action this past season.
Jacob Mangum-Farrar-Redshirt Senior + - Stanford transfer Farrar is the linebacker who is expected to fill a leadership void this season. As two-year starter at Stanford Farrar appeared in nine games this past season making seven starts. He tallied 44 tackles and produced a double-digit tackle game against Notre Dame. Farrar is a mature experienced vet who bet on himself making the transition from Palo Alto to Bloomington. Expect Farrar to be a vocal leader during Spring Camp and compete for starting gig. Jacob Mangum-Farrar 247 Profile
Darryl Minor-Senior- UTEP transfer Minor did not see the field much this past season, but was a star at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. In his second season at JUCO, he led the team in tackles for loss and added a forced fumble and pass break up. Tom Allen and Chad Wilt will count on Minor to be another vocal leader during spring camp and this season.
Joshua Rudolph-Junior- An Austin Peay transfer, Rudolph is tackling machine tallying 21 tackles in his freshman year and 73 this past season. Rudolph started in 11 games this past season and made the most of his time on the field. Out of Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Alabama. Rudolph was a three-star prospect who didn’t receive any power five offers. He hopes to make the most of this opportunity and earn a stop as one of the Hoosiers top linebackers.