Spring Practice 2020 Position Preview – Linebackers
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Cam Jones (4) makes a tackle against UConn Image: Amanda Pavelka Hoosier Huddle
Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
The Hoosier’s nickel base defense employs two linebackers and the biggest hole left to fill from 2019 comes from the graduation of Reakwon Jones. Linebacker is a youthful position group for the Hoosiers, and while somewhat unproved, there’s some exciting potential.
Linebackers
Cam Jones
Cam Jones is an electric athlete and showed his knack for making plays in 2019. After playing 11 games at husky as a true freshman, the Memphis native played in 12 games at weak-side linebacker in 2019. Now as a junior, Jones figures to slide into a starting linebacker spot. Last season, Jones racked up 35 tackles, two sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss. A testament to his impact ability, Jones notched a 44-yard pick-six and forced a fumble in IU’s homecoming win over Northwestern. 2020 could be a breakout season for Cam Jones. The talent is there, the only question is whether the production will follow.
Micah McFadden
Micah McFadden is one of several IU players from Plant High School in Tampa, Florida. After playing in all 12 games as a true freshman, McFadden started at middle linebacker in 12 games as a sophomore. He led the team with 61 tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. McFadden added 1.5 sacks and an Academic All-Big Ten selection. McFadden is a shoo-in to start at the linebacker spot. Now an upperclassman, McFadden hopes to build on the success from his first two seasons.
Thomas Allen
Thomas Allen, another Plant High School product was lost for the year after requiring shoulder surgery following the win at Nebraska. Allen was in the midst of a promising sophomore campaign in which he tallied 17 tackles in eight games. Allen earned Academic All-Big Ten honors and now as a junior, he projects to make a full recovery for the 2020 season, although he will remain out during the spring. Assuming his rehab goes as planned, Allen will be counted on to log a heavy amount of defensive snaps.
James Miller
James Miller, also a Tampa native, recorded 31 tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2019. The athletic linebacker tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. Miller played in all 13 games and started at middle linebacker in one of them. He has solid speed for the position and looks to carve out a bigger role for himself in 2020. With a year of experience under his belt, James Miller will fight for a starting spot and will be a major contributor.
D.K. Bonhomme
D.K. Bonhomme came to Bloomington from Ottawa, Canada as one of the top-50 linebackers in the country per Rivals. Bonhomme saw action in 11 games on special teams in 2019 and was the defensive scout player of the week once. Bonhomme has the size and strength to be a solid Big Ten linebacker. Now entering his sophomore season, Bonhomme hopes to crack the LB rotation and see regular snaps on defense.
Aaron Casey
Aaron Casey played in all 13 games in 2019 as a redshirt freshman. The young linebacker from Georgia played primarily on special teams, racking up five tackles and one sack on the year. Casey blocked a punt in the win at home over Eastern Illinois where he earned special teams player of the week honors. With a strong performance this spring and summer, Casey will undoubtedly see more playing time next season.
Cameron Williams
Cam Williams was a four-star recruit, 4th best prospect in Indiana, and 11th rated outside linebacker per Rivals. From Merrillville High School in Indiana, Williams took a redshirt season in 2019. With a year of college-level weight training under his belt, Williams is ready to make a name for himself in Bloomington. Known for being a tenacious linebacker in high school, the future is promising for Cameron Williams.
Ty Wise
Ty Wise was a 2019 Mr. Football finalist in Indiana and was ranked by 247 Sports as the 7th best prospect in the state. Wise is a strong addition to the Hoosier defense as he provides good size and a wining mentality. Wise has the player IQ you want in a linebacker. If he doesn’t redshirt, look for Wise to have a chance at cracking the rotation in 2020.
Robert Tolbert IV
Robert Tolbert IV joined the Indiana football program as a walk-on in 2018. The linebacker from Murphy, Texas redshirted his first season and did not see any game action in 2019. Now as a sophomore, Tolbert will have a chance to earn some playing time.
Summary
Although it will be difficult to replace the production from Reakwon Jones, the Indiana Hoosiers linebacking corps has the depth to do it. Several young and talented players will have a chance to step up and become regular contributors. The regular contributors who are returning will have a chance to breakout and become a leader of the defense. While this position group is largely unproven, it would not be a surprise if the Indiana linebackers became a strength of the defense.