Indiana signs 19 on early signing day

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allenannounced today the signing of 19 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Hoosiers in 2019. Today opened college football’s early signing period, which will run through Friday, Dec. 21.

The class features four four-star prospects: running back Sampson James (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports), defensive back Tiawan Mullen (Rivals), defensive lineman Beau Robbins (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports) and linebacker Cameron Williams (Rivals, 247Sports). Quarterback Jack Tuttle, a Utah transfer and mid-year enrollee, was a 2018 four-star prospect (Rivals and 247Sports). Long snapper Sean Wracher is a five-star prospect (KohlsKicking.com).

IU signed nine defensive players, six offensive players, two athletes, one offensive/defensive lineman and one long snapper. Indiana added five defensive linemen, two defensive backs and two linebackers on defense, and two offensive linemen, two running backs, one tight end and one wide receiver on offense.

Players signed from American Samoa, Canada (Ottawa, Ontario), and 11 different states, including four from Indiana, four from Florida, and one each from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Offensive lineman Matthew Bedford, defensive lineman Juan Harris, James, offensive lineman Mike Katic and defensive back Larry Tracy III will enroll in spring semester classes and participate in practice.

Click Here for a complete roster of Indiana’s early signing period signees. 
Matthew Bedford
OL • 6-6, 270
Cordova, Tenn./Cordova H.S.

IU: Bedford will enroll in 2019 spring classes and participate in practice.

Prep/Personal: Offensive lineman for head coach Marcus Wimberly at Cordova High School … played in the 2018 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl at AT&T Stadium … played in the 2018 East-West All-Star Classic … ranked the No. 25 prospect in Tennessee by Rivals and the No. 80 offensive tackle nationally by 247Sports … teammate of IU wide receiver Jacolby Hewitt.

D.K. Bonhomme
LB • 6-3, 238
Ottawa, Ontario/Clearwater Academy International (Fla.)

Prep/Personal: Linebacker for head coach Jesse Chinchar at Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Fla. … played middle and outside LB … posted 100 tackles, 71 solo, eight sacks, 22 TFLs, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and two blocked punts as a senior … named the linebacker most valuable player at the 2018 Best of the Midwest Combine … ranked the No. 48 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals … teammate of fellow signee and defensive lineman Sio Nofoagatoto’a … the duo led the program to a perfect 11-0 campaign in 2018, the only undefeated team in Pinellas County … first Canadian to join the Hoosiers since offensive lineman Paul Hearn (2003-06) … parents are Pierre Michelet Bonhomme and Elimane Louis … intends to study sport marketing and management … Di-Stephano Kervens Bonhomme was born on April 20, 2000.

Da’Shaun Brown
ATH • 6-2, 180
Racine, Wis./St. Catherine’s H.S.

Prep/Personal: Quarterback and defensive back for head coach Dan Miller at St. Catherine’s High School … 2018 first team Associated Press All-State … the sixth quarterback from Racine County in the last 60 years to earn first team honors … All-Racine County Player of the Year … three-year starter accounted for 8,342 yards of total offense and 121 touchdowns … threw for 4,566 yards with 66 TDs and 20 interceptions in 34 games … rushed for 3,776 yards with a 10.7 average per carry and an 111.1 average per game … added a pair of kick return scores … made 63 tackles, four for loss, one sack, one interception and two forced fumbles in 26 career games on defense … led St. Catherine’s to the program’s first state championship in 2018 … scored the game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion to cap a perfect 14-0 campaign … ranked the No. 1 prospect in Wisconsin by Rivals and the No. 30 athlete nationally by 247Sports.

Gary Cooper
TE • 6-2, 235
Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus H.S.

Prep/Personal: Tight end for head coach Chris Merritt at Christopher Columbus High School … selected to the 2018 Miami-Dade All-Star Game … ranked the No. 13 hybrid tight end nationally by ESPN … teammate of fellow signee and defensive lineman Jeramy Passmore … also lettered in basketball and track and field … honor roll student … mother is Mildred Dasher … intends to study nursing … born on Feb. 17, 2000.

David Ellis
ATH • 6-0, 195
Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley H.S.

Prep/Personal: Athlete for head coach Scott Merchant … three-year starter earned 2018 Detroit News All-East honors … led Chippewa Valley to its first state title since 2001 and a perfect 14-0 season … returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the championship … finished the year with 39 receptions for 636 yards, 1,700 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns, including five on special teams … made 45 tackles with five pass breakups at defensive back … in the regional final, became the 11th player in state history with a 99-yard TD rush and added an 80-yard touchdown reception … ranked the No. 21 prospect in Michigan by 247Sports and the No. 69 athlete nationally by ESPN.

Juan Harris
DL • 6-3, 350
Chicago, Ill./Independence Community College (Kan.)

IU: Harris will enroll in 2019 spring classes and participate in practice.

Junior College: Defensive lineman for head coach Jason Brown at Independence Community College in Independence, Kan. … played in nine games … averaged 4.2 tackles per game … totaled 38 stops with 4.5 for loss.

2017: Played in the first three games at IU before he suffered a season-ending injury and received a medical redshirt … enrolled in spring classes and participated in practice.

Prep/Personal: Defensive and offensive lineman for head coach Clayton Kreger at Parker High School in Janesville, Wis. … two-time all-state selection … named the team’s defensive lineman of the year twice and most valuable player once … member of two state championship teams … posted 80 tackles and seven sacks over his junior and senior seasons … ranked the No. 37 defensive tackle nationally by Rivals and the No. 6 prospect in Wisconsin by 247Sports … four-year letterwinner … two-year track and field letterwinner … shot put and discus thrower … parents are Angel Shannon and the late Juan Harris Sr. … born on July 27, 1998.

Jordan Jakes
WR • 6-5, 197
Stockbridge, Ga./St. Frances Academy (Md.)

Prep/Personal: Wide receiver for head coach Biff Poggi at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md. … St. Frances won the state championship playing an independent national schedule and is currently ranked No. 5 nationally by USA Today … caught six touchdown passes in six games en route to first team all-metro honors as a senior … transferred to St. Frances from Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Ga., for his senior season … helped Eagle’s Landing to three consecutive state championships … four-year letterwinner never lost a high school game … ranked the No. 18 prospect in Maryland by Rivals … also lettered in track and field … parents are Chrystal and Van Jakes … intends to study business or criminal justice … born on Oct. 21, 2000.

Sampson James
RB • 6-1, 212
Avon, Ind./Avon H.S.

IU: James will enroll in 2019 spring classes and participate in practice.

Prep/Personal: Running back for head coach Mark Bless at Avon High School … consensus four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports … two-time Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State … named to the 2017 and 2018 IndyStar Super Teams … closed out his career with 3,451 yards on 573 attempts (6.0 average) with 38 rushing touchdowns and 41 total TDs … averaged 98.6 rushing yards per game and reached the century mark 14 times in 35 games … recorded 1,000-yard seasons and averaged over 100 yards per game in 2017 and 2018 … collected a long rush of 86 yards as a senior and a long of 70 as a junior … led Avon to two sectional titles and one regional championship … ranked the No. 3 prospect in Indiana by ESPN and Rivals … rated the No. 10 running back nationally by Rivals … the No. 172 prospect nationally by 247Sports … intends to study business.

Mike Katic
OL • 6-4, 290
Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland H.S.

IU: Katic will enroll in 2019 spring classes and participate in practice.

Prep/Personal: Offensive lineman for head coach Eric Kasperowicz at Pine-Richland High School … earned all-conference honors in 2017 and 2018 … selected to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 team both campaigns … led the team to the 2017 state championship, the 2018 state semifinals and back-to-back conference titles … ranked the No. 16 prospect in Pennsylvania and the No. 52 offensive guard nationally by ESPN … three-year letterwinner … parents are Mary Beth and Mike Katic … intends to study business … born on Dec. 20, 2000.

Tiawan Mullen
DB • 5-10, 175
Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Coconut Creek H.S.

Prep/Personal: Defensive back for head coach Gerald Cox at Coconut Creek High School … four-star prospect by Rivals … will play in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 5 … first team all-county selection recorded 14 career interceptions and returned three for touchdowns … forced five fumbles and made 112 tackles … three-year team captain … ranked the No. 43 cornerback nationally and the No. 48 prospect in Florida by Rivals … four-year letterwinner … ran the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay … honor roll student … parents are Lucretia Peterman and Trayvon Mullen Sr. … brother, Trayvon, is a junior cornerback at Clemson University … cousin, Lamar Jackson, played at Louisville (2015-17) and is currently the Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback … intends to study business … born on Dec. 20, 2000.

Sio Nofoagatoto’a
DL • 6-4, 302
Ili’ili, American Samoa/Clearwater Academy International (Fla.)

Prep/Personal: Defensive lineman for head coach Jesse Chinchar at Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Fla. … in his two seasons at Clearwater, posted 135 tackles, 97 solo, 16.5 sacks, 54 TFLs, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries (1 TD) … ranked the No. 70 defensive tackle nationally by ESPN … teammate of fellow signee and linebacker D.K. Bonhomme … the duo led the program to a perfect 11-0 campaign in 2018, the only undefeated team in Pinellas County … first Hoosier from American Samoa since offensive lineman Pita Elisara (1998-99) … moved to Australia at age 15 and Clearwater in July of 2017 at age 17 … played rugby, volleyball and swam the 100m freestyle growing up … avid guitar and piano player … parents are Naiutufiu Regan and Senetima Nofoagatoto’a … intends to study sport marketing and management … born on April 20, 2000.

Jeramy Passmore???????
DL • 6-3, 270
Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus H.S.

Prep/Personal: Defensive lineman for head coach Chris Merritt at Christopher Columbus High School … selected to the 2018 Miami-Dade All-Star Game … All-Dade County selection … led the program to the 2018 state championship game … four-year starter and two-time captain … reached 50 tackles and double digits in sacks and tackles for loss in 2016 (53, 10, 13), 2017 (75, 16, 20) and 2018 (57, 10, 13) … ranked the No. 64 strong-side defensive end nationally by 247Sports … teammate of fellow signee and tight end Gary Cooper … four-year letterwinner … also played basketball … honor roll student … parents are Keisha Passmore and Gary Frith … intends to study business … born on Jan. 22, 2001.

C.J. Person
DL • 6-3, 297
Montgomery, Ala./Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School

Prep/Personal: Defensive lineman for head coach Aubrey Blackwell at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School … all-state selection … played in the 2018 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … finished his career with 241 tackles, 150 solo, 15.5 sacks, 75 TFLs, nine forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception … carded 100 tackles, 65 solo, 36 for loss, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, the two recoveries and the INT as a senior … ranked the No. 33 prospect in Alabama and the No. 65 defensive tackle nationally by ESPN.

Beau Robbins
DL • 6-5, 250
Carmel, Ind./Carmel H.S.

Prep/Personal: Defensive lineman for head coach John Hebert at Carmel High School … consensus four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports … Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Top 50 selection in 2017 and 2018 … three-time IFCA All-State (2016-18) … named to the 2017 and 2018 IndyStar Super Teams … posted 82 tackles, 17 for loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries (1 TD) and one blocked kick as a senior … three-year starter led Carmel to a 2016 state championship, the 2017 semi-state and a 2018 state runner-up finish … ranked the No. 4 prospect in Indiana, the No. 29 defensive end nationally and the No. 242 prospect nationally by ESPN … named the 2018 6A Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award honoree … teammate of IU offensive lineman Britt Beery.

Larry Tracy III
DB • 5-11, 185
Indianapolis, Ind./Decatur Central H.S. 

IU: Tracy will enroll in 2019 spring classes and participate in practice.

Prep/Personal: Defensive back for head coach Kyle Enright at Decatur Central High School … three-time all-state selection … four-time all-county and all-conference honoree … closed his career with 292 tackles, 218 solo, four sacks, 31 TFLs, eight interceptions, 28 pass breakups, 11 fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles and three blocked field goals … added 606 all-purpose yards … twice named the team’s defensive player of the year … led Decatur Central to its first state title appearance in 2018 and four conference championships … caught 14 passes for 205 yards and one touchdown as a senior … ranked the No. 6 prospect in Indiana and the No. 62 cornerback nationally by Rivals … four-year letterwinner … one-year wrestling and track and field letterwinner … parents are Erica and Larry Tracy Jr. … intends to study sport communication-broadcast … born on July 31, 2000.

Antoine Whitner Jr.
OL/DL • 6-5, 305
Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy

Prep/Personal: Offensive and defensive lineman for head coach Kevin Wright at IMG Academy … attended IMG his junior and senior campaigns … played at Mills Godwin High School in Richmond, Va., as a sophomore and Glen Allen High School in Henrico County, Va., as a freshman … ranked the No. 41 defensive tackle nationally by Rivals.

Cameron Williams
LB • 6-3, 215
Merrillville, Ind./Andrean H.S.

Prep/Personal: Linebacker for head coach Chris Skinner at Andrean High School … Rivals and 247Sports four-star prospect … two-time Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State … collected 124 tackles, 83 solo, 17 sacks, 36 TFLs, two interceptions (1 TD), two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, seven pass breakups and one blocked punt over his final two seasons … ranked the No. 4 prospect in Indiana and the No. 11 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.

Ivory Winters
RB • 6-0, 216
Hayti, Mo./Hayti H.S. 

Prep/Personal: Running back and defensive lineman for head coaches Dominique Robinson and KC Gilmer at Hayti High School … finished as the program’s career and single-game leader in rushing yardage, touchdowns and total points  … two-time all-state at defensive end and one-time all-state at running back … the 1A Offensive Player of the Year led Hayti to its first state championship and a 15-0 mark in 2018 … posted 59 touchdowns and 2,700 yards as a senior … totaled 37 touchdowns in 2017 … ranked the No. 15 prospect in Missouri by ESPN and the No. 49 running back nationally by 247Sports … member of the 2017-2018 4x100m state championship track relay team  … two-time all-district power forward … parents are Latosha Covington and Ivory Winters … intends to study sport marketing and management.

Sean Wracher
LS • 6-4, 215
Akron, Ohio/Saint Ignatius H.S.

Prep/Personal: Long snapper for head coach Chuck Kyle at Saint Ignatius High School … five-star prospect by Kohl’sKicking.com … ranked the No. 1 long snapper nationally by Kornblue Kicking … all-district selection recorded a 100-percent snapping efficiency … won the snapping competition at the Kohl’s Eastern Showcase … will participate in the Pro Football Hall of Fame World All-Star Bowl in Mexico City on Dec. 22 … three-year football and two-year baseball letterwinner … parents are Melinda and Matthew Wracher … Matthew was an offensive tackle at West Virginia University (1988-89) … intends to study business … born on Dec. 21, 2000.