Jacob Mangum-Farrar Staking a Claim to a Starting Linebacker Spot

Image: Indiana Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

One of the main questions facing the Hoosier defense heading into fall camp was who starts at linebacker alongside Aaron Casey. The IU coaching staff may have found their answer in Stanford transfer Jacob Mangum-Farrar.

“(Jacob’s) Just is a guy that has come in here and has earned the respect of his teammates by how hard he’s worked, how much time he’s put in the film room and how much he studies and prepares. That is a position where as you you’ve said, you’ve got to run the defense. Ace (Aaron Casey) is going to be right next to him and Ace has played both positions and I think he’s more naturally a stinger, which is great for him to be able to be in that spot.” Allen said.

At Stanford Mangum-Farrar started 11 games (played in 26) at linebacker over five seasons and finished sixth on the Cardinal in tackles in 2022. These stats don’t jump off the page, but the 6’4” 240-pound frame is tough to miss on the field.

Co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Chad Wilt has seen Mangum-Farrar take the next step in developing his body and mind to prepare for the season.

“He came in, just put his nose to the grind, went to work, just kept developing. You’ve seen his body develop and grow. As his body has grown and developed, his comfort in the scheme has grown and developed. Which has allowed him to start focusing on the next steps” Wilt said.

The Stanford transfer first had to assess the linebacker room as a new player joining a stalwart like Aaron Casey.

“Walking in day one in January, he wasn’t trying to be the assertive guy, he wasn’t trying to be the dominant personality in the room. He understood where Ace (Aaron Casey) was. ‘Let me figure out the dynamics. Let me figure out what I can contribute. Let me figure out what I need to do just playing linebacker.’” Wilt said of Mangum-Farrar.

A summer of team building has helped the newbie fit in and find his voice.

“Even though a lot of guys are new, we still feel like we’ve known each other for a while. Just through team activities, getting connected that way, and just the grind of camp, it’s brought everybody together pretty well.” Mangum-Farrar said.

Mangum-Farrar believes a scheme change will help him put up better numbers.

“We played a lot of man at Stanford. I was man on the tight end maybe 40% of my snaps. But here it’s a lot more zone concepts.” Mangum-Farrar explained.

While it may be hard to duplicate what Cam Jones meant to the Hoosier defense over the last few years, Mangum-Farrar has the tools to be an impact player next to Aaron Casey.