Indiana University Athletics
Tiawan Mullen Aims to Earn His Chance
6/22/2019 12:41:00 PM | Football
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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tiawan Mullen isn't here to sit. Understand that. Indiana's four-star defensive back prospect has instant football impact very much on his mind, and although he publicly downplays it, well, sometimes a young guy has to let deeds talk.
Coach Tom Allen understands. In fact, that goal, and the talent that drives it, are among the reasons why Allen and his staff recruited Mullen out of talent-rich Florida.
"Like everybody else, he's got a lot to prove and a lot to develop and work on," Allen says, "but he definitely brings a confidence to this class."
Given this rates as Allen's best freshman class at IU, and as one of the best in program history, it's another reason to be optimistic that the streak of 11 straight losing records is about to end.
"There's no question that Tiawan is a guy I expect to help us in some way, shape or form," Allen says. "In his mind I guarantee you he's coming here to start. That's just how he thinks and how he's wired, and that's what you want."
With a talented returning secondary Mullen faces a big challenge.
"We never promise (a starting position) to anybody," Allen says. "We're very, very clear on that. We promise opportunity.
"Guys have got to come in here and work. Once they get on campus, we'll see what they do with the opportunity they've been given. Certain guys take advantage of it more than you expect, and some guys that you think are going to don't. That's probably been the case every single year; I'm sure it won't be any different this year."
The 5-10, 175-pound Mullen is the kind of takeaway machine Allen wants on his attack-style defense. At Fort Lauderdale's Coconut Creek High School, Mullen had 14 career interceptions, and returned three for touchdowns. He also forced five fumbles and recorded 112 tackles.
Speed fueled much of that success. Mullen also was a sprinter at Coconut Creek, running the 100 and 200 meters, and a leg on the 400-meter relay. So did a grinder's mentality in which doing little things others often skipped reaped benefits.
That helped earn Mullen a spot in the 2019 All-American Bowl and a No. 43 national cornerback rating from Rivals.com. He was considered the No. 48 overall prospect in the state of Florida.
Beyond that, Mullen was an honor roll student, a three-year team captain and an all-around impressive guy.
Allen recalls a recruiting trip to a Florida school after Mullen committed.
"Right away they know who (Mullen) is. They know he's coming to Indiana, and they think we've got an amazing player.
"(They ask), 'How did you get that guy?' They all know about him, and they all respect him. Because he's just one of those (special) kids."
And then Allen again makes clear that when it comes to playing time, a good-guy reputation only goes so far.
"He's a guy that's going to have to earn everything, but he has such a humility about him. Even though he's confident and has got a swagger to him, he's very humble and appreciative and grateful for the opportunity. He's very, very proud of being a Hoosier."
Mullen is not shy about expressing that Cream & Crimson pride.
"He went to the All-American game in San Antonio and I have people who were there," Allen says. "The constant theme was, 'Man, that guy is so proud to be a Hoosier.'
"He really represented us in a first-class way, not only by how he competed, at the level he competed at, but the way he did it and the way he handles himself."
During a recent interview, Mullen demonstrated he is more about perspective, less about boasting and bold talk.
"My goals are to get bigger, stronger, faster. Trust (director of athletic performance David Ballou's) process. Stick my head in the playbook, and go from there."
It's working.
"I feel like I'm in a great position. I've been gaining weight since I've been here, learning the playbook fast, quick. Having great guys around me has helped me learn. I feel like I'm in a comfortable position. Improve more and once July comes, we'll see."
Elite athleticism and performance is a family tradition. Mullen's brother, Trayvon, was a cornerback for Clemson's national championship team last season, and is now preparing for his NFL rookie season with the Oakland Raiders as a second-round pick. A cousin, Lamar Jackson, was a Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville and is now the new starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
What drew Mullen to Indiana?
"When I came for my (official) visit, it was like I was meant to be here."
It wasn't like that at his other visits, he adds.
"God had a plan for me to come to Bloomington, to help change the program around. We have great guys. It will come. Help Coach Tom Allen win a Big Ten championship."
After committing to IU, Mullen turned recruiter, using social media and beyond to help draw other talented players.
"We needed him to get a hold of a (recruit)," Allen says, "and he just saw who we were recruiting and he aggressively took advantage of that social media-wise and texting guys and just trying to build his class.
"We challenged him about that. It was, 'Hey, get on board and help recruit your teammates. We're only as good as the guys around you.'
"I think a lot of guys in this class have done that. You see a guy on social media trying to encourage other guys. They've bought into that, and (Mullen has) kind of been the ringleader, for sure. That's neat to see."
Figure Mullen will be a part of more neat Hoosier things in the years ahead, and that he'll appreciate all of it.
In fact, he already is.
"It's been great -- meeting different guys from different areas like Australia, Canada. I never thought I'd meet guys from those areas. It's been a great process."
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tiawan Mullen isn't here to sit. Understand that. Indiana's four-star defensive back prospect has instant football impact very much on his mind, and although he publicly downplays it, well, sometimes a young guy has to let deeds talk.
Coach Tom Allen understands. In fact, that goal, and the talent that drives it, are among the reasons why Allen and his staff recruited Mullen out of talent-rich Florida.
"Like everybody else, he's got a lot to prove and a lot to develop and work on," Allen says, "but he definitely brings a confidence to this class."
Given this rates as Allen's best freshman class at IU, and as one of the best in program history, it's another reason to be optimistic that the streak of 11 straight losing records is about to end.
"There's no question that Tiawan is a guy I expect to help us in some way, shape or form," Allen says. "In his mind I guarantee you he's coming here to start. That's just how he thinks and how he's wired, and that's what you want."
With a talented returning secondary Mullen faces a big challenge.
"We never promise (a starting position) to anybody," Allen says. "We're very, very clear on that. We promise opportunity.
"Guys have got to come in here and work. Once they get on campus, we'll see what they do with the opportunity they've been given. Certain guys take advantage of it more than you expect, and some guys that you think are going to don't. That's probably been the case every single year; I'm sure it won't be any different this year."
The 5-10, 175-pound Mullen is the kind of takeaway machine Allen wants on his attack-style defense. At Fort Lauderdale's Coconut Creek High School, Mullen had 14 career interceptions, and returned three for touchdowns. He also forced five fumbles and recorded 112 tackles.
Speed fueled much of that success. Mullen also was a sprinter at Coconut Creek, running the 100 and 200 meters, and a leg on the 400-meter relay. So did a grinder's mentality in which doing little things others often skipped reaped benefits.
That helped earn Mullen a spot in the 2019 All-American Bowl and a No. 43 national cornerback rating from Rivals.com. He was considered the No. 48 overall prospect in the state of Florida.
Beyond that, Mullen was an honor roll student, a three-year team captain and an all-around impressive guy.
Allen recalls a recruiting trip to a Florida school after Mullen committed.
"Right away they know who (Mullen) is. They know he's coming to Indiana, and they think we've got an amazing player.
"(They ask), 'How did you get that guy?' They all know about him, and they all respect him. Because he's just one of those (special) kids."
And then Allen again makes clear that when it comes to playing time, a good-guy reputation only goes so far.
"He's a guy that's going to have to earn everything, but he has such a humility about him. Even though he's confident and has got a swagger to him, he's very humble and appreciative and grateful for the opportunity. He's very, very proud of being a Hoosier."
Mullen is not shy about expressing that Cream & Crimson pride.
"He went to the All-American game in San Antonio and I have people who were there," Allen says. "The constant theme was, 'Man, that guy is so proud to be a Hoosier.'
"He really represented us in a first-class way, not only by how he competed, at the level he competed at, but the way he did it and the way he handles himself."
During a recent interview, Mullen demonstrated he is more about perspective, less about boasting and bold talk.
"My goals are to get bigger, stronger, faster. Trust (director of athletic performance David Ballou's) process. Stick my head in the playbook, and go from there."
It's working.
"I feel like I'm in a great position. I've been gaining weight since I've been here, learning the playbook fast, quick. Having great guys around me has helped me learn. I feel like I'm in a comfortable position. Improve more and once July comes, we'll see."
Elite athleticism and performance is a family tradition. Mullen's brother, Trayvon, was a cornerback for Clemson's national championship team last season, and is now preparing for his NFL rookie season with the Oakland Raiders as a second-round pick. A cousin, Lamar Jackson, was a Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville and is now the new starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
What drew Mullen to Indiana?
"When I came for my (official) visit, it was like I was meant to be here."
It wasn't like that at his other visits, he adds.
"God had a plan for me to come to Bloomington, to help change the program around. We have great guys. It will come. Help Coach Tom Allen win a Big Ten championship."
After committing to IU, Mullen turned recruiter, using social media and beyond to help draw other talented players.
"We needed him to get a hold of a (recruit)," Allen says, "and he just saw who we were recruiting and he aggressively took advantage of that social media-wise and texting guys and just trying to build his class.
"We challenged him about that. It was, 'Hey, get on board and help recruit your teammates. We're only as good as the guys around you.'
"I think a lot of guys in this class have done that. You see a guy on social media trying to encourage other guys. They've bought into that, and (Mullen has) kind of been the ringleader, for sure. That's neat to see."
Figure Mullen will be a part of more neat Hoosier things in the years ahead, and that he'll appreciate all of it.
In fact, he already is.
"It's been great -- meeting different guys from different areas like Australia, Canada. I never thought I'd meet guys from those areas. It's been a great process."
Players Mentioned
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