Indiana Takes Another Big Football Recruiting Step
2/6/2020 2:27:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Attack the quarterback.
Do that and you give yourself a chance.
Pressure the quarterback and you boost that chance.
Sack him or force him into mistakes and defensive life is good.
Do that without blitzing, or with limited blitzing, and you have the kind of elite defense Indiana head coach Tom Allen wants.
The Hoosiers took another big step in that direction Wednesday by signing defensive end Jalen Mayala out of Georgia. He was rated as the nation's No. 45 weak-side defensive end by 247Sports.
The 6-5, 230 pounder totaled 70 tackles as a senior at Archer High School. Ten of those were for loss. Two were sacks. He also broke up three passes while also playing linebacker.
Numbers are fine, but it's potential that made Mayala a prime target along with offensive lineman Kahlil Benson.
Those two wrapped up IU's 20-player recruiting class that included 12 offensive players, seven defensive players and one athlete.
The others signed in December.
Mayala will get bigger, stronger and faster in strength coach David Ballou's program. Add Mayala's athleticism (he also played 2 years of basketball) and it suggests a guy who can ruin a quarterback's day.
"We were trying to find in this class a long, athletic player," Allen said. "He continues to give us more length on the defensive line, the ability to create pass rush, which we're trying to get to."
Then there's the 6-6, 332-pound Benson, an all-state player out of Mississippi. ESPN rated him as the state's No. 17 prospect and the nation's No. 38 offensive guard.
"We're excited about him and his potential here," Allen said. "From the physical perspective, obviously a big one. You want them big. You recruit them big.
"He's long with really good size. We're getting a first-class young man who will work extremely hard. He's got a tremendous ability to grow and develop."
How big a priority was Benson? Allen and most of IU's coaching staff visited him in Mississippi.
"It just sends a message that he's important to us," Allen said.
"I can't be in multiple places at one time. I chose to go there as head coach. We chose to bring the majority of our staff.
"He's a guy we felt strongly about. It was a powerful message that we sent, and (Benson and his family) received."
Nine members of this recruiting class have already enrolled for the second semester -- running back Tim Baldwin Jr, offensive linemen Luke Haggard, Cameron Knight, Dylan Powell and Luke Wiginton, quarterback Dexter Williams II, defensive linemen Damarjhe Lewis and Caleb Murphy, and linebacker Ty Wise.
They've made significant early impact, Allen said.
"They are working very hard in the weight room. We're excited about their growth and attitude, the mindset that it takes to be a Big Ten player.
"We're also getting them indoctrinated with their classes and schedules. Getting them used to being a college student-athlete."
Lewis, Williams, Murphy, Wiginton and Haggard have made the biggest early impressions, Allen added.
He said Lewis, "Is the one who jumps out to me in terms of talking to the coaching staff and just what I saw. Big body guy who moves extremely well.
"We learned last year with (offensive lineman) Matt Bedford, when you come in mid-year that increases your chances to be ready to play in the fall. He's a guy who really sticks out to me.
"Dexter Williams obviously has a million things to learn (at quarterback), but from a physical standpoint and a leadership standpoint, he is a guy that our coaches commented on right away."
Allen pointed to Murphy's athleticism and versatility -- he also wrestled in high school -- that could have him playing tight end or defensive end.
"There are a lot of positions he could be in," Allen said.
The advantage of getting players in for the second semester, he added, is huge.
"It can be such a positive thing to get them here this many months earlier. The weight room is No. 1, and the spring ball piece will come later. Those things really add up and can help you (next season)."
Also, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is fully recovered from the surgery that sidelined him for the second half of last season. Allen said he's bulked up to close to 220 pounds. He was listed at 202 last year.
"He's been released," Allen said. "He'll be full bore for spring ball. He's really changed himself (physically), which is important."
Penix has made a big impression in the weight room. Allen said he was at the top of the list in terms of who was doing the best.
"He had a great work ethic and mindset coming back. I'm encouraged by the leadership he's showing, the work ethic he's showing. He's getting ready to have a big spring, a big summer and a good 2020."
With veteran quarterback Peyton Ramsey transferring, Jack Tuttle will become the backup, with Williams positioned to be third string.
"That's a challenge to Jack, and he's done a tremendous job working," Allen said. "He has a great mindset. He's excited to be in that position.
"He's getting bigger and stronger. He'll have a chance this spring to get a ton of reps, and continue to grow and develop.
"He's got to be ready."
As for Williams, Allen said, "Dexter has already caught the eyes of our strength staff in the way he goes about his business and his athleticism and arm talent.
"He's got to be ready."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Attack the quarterback.
Do that and you give yourself a chance.
Pressure the quarterback and you boost that chance.
Sack him or force him into mistakes and defensive life is good.
Do that without blitzing, or with limited blitzing, and you have the kind of elite defense Indiana head coach Tom Allen wants.
The Hoosiers took another big step in that direction Wednesday by signing defensive end Jalen Mayala out of Georgia. He was rated as the nation's No. 45 weak-side defensive end by 247Sports.
The 6-5, 230 pounder totaled 70 tackles as a senior at Archer High School. Ten of those were for loss. Two were sacks. He also broke up three passes while also playing linebacker.
Numbers are fine, but it's potential that made Mayala a prime target along with offensive lineman Kahlil Benson.
Those two wrapped up IU's 20-player recruiting class that included 12 offensive players, seven defensive players and one athlete.
The others signed in December.
Mayala will get bigger, stronger and faster in strength coach David Ballou's program. Add Mayala's athleticism (he also played 2 years of basketball) and it suggests a guy who can ruin a quarterback's day.
"We were trying to find in this class a long, athletic player," Allen said. "He continues to give us more length on the defensive line, the ability to create pass rush, which we're trying to get to."
Then there's the 6-6, 332-pound Benson, an all-state player out of Mississippi. ESPN rated him as the state's No. 17 prospect and the nation's No. 38 offensive guard.
"We're excited about him and his potential here," Allen said. "From the physical perspective, obviously a big one. You want them big. You recruit them big.
"He's long with really good size. We're getting a first-class young man who will work extremely hard. He's got a tremendous ability to grow and develop."
How big a priority was Benson? Allen and most of IU's coaching staff visited him in Mississippi.
"It just sends a message that he's important to us," Allen said.
"I can't be in multiple places at one time. I chose to go there as head coach. We chose to bring the majority of our staff.
"He's a guy we felt strongly about. It was a powerful message that we sent, and (Benson and his family) received."
Nine members of this recruiting class have already enrolled for the second semester -- running back Tim Baldwin Jr, offensive linemen Luke Haggard, Cameron Knight, Dylan Powell and Luke Wiginton, quarterback Dexter Williams II, defensive linemen Damarjhe Lewis and Caleb Murphy, and linebacker Ty Wise.
They've made significant early impact, Allen said.
"They are working very hard in the weight room. We're excited about their growth and attitude, the mindset that it takes to be a Big Ten player.
"We're also getting them indoctrinated with their classes and schedules. Getting them used to being a college student-athlete."
Lewis, Williams, Murphy, Wiginton and Haggard have made the biggest early impressions, Allen added.
He said Lewis, "Is the one who jumps out to me in terms of talking to the coaching staff and just what I saw. Big body guy who moves extremely well.
"We learned last year with (offensive lineman) Matt Bedford, when you come in mid-year that increases your chances to be ready to play in the fall. He's a guy who really sticks out to me.
"Dexter Williams obviously has a million things to learn (at quarterback), but from a physical standpoint and a leadership standpoint, he is a guy that our coaches commented on right away."
Allen pointed to Murphy's athleticism and versatility -- he also wrestled in high school -- that could have him playing tight end or defensive end.
"There are a lot of positions he could be in," Allen said.
The advantage of getting players in for the second semester, he added, is huge.
"It can be such a positive thing to get them here this many months earlier. The weight room is No. 1, and the spring ball piece will come later. Those things really add up and can help you (next season)."
Also, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is fully recovered from the surgery that sidelined him for the second half of last season. Allen said he's bulked up to close to 220 pounds. He was listed at 202 last year.
"He's been released," Allen said. "He'll be full bore for spring ball. He's really changed himself (physically), which is important."
Penix has made a big impression in the weight room. Allen said he was at the top of the list in terms of who was doing the best.
"He had a great work ethic and mindset coming back. I'm encouraged by the leadership he's showing, the work ethic he's showing. He's getting ready to have a big spring, a big summer and a good 2020."
With veteran quarterback Peyton Ramsey transferring, Jack Tuttle will become the backup, with Williams positioned to be third string.
"That's a challenge to Jack, and he's done a tremendous job working," Allen said. "He has a great mindset. He's excited to be in that position.
"He's getting bigger and stronger. He'll have a chance this spring to get a ton of reps, and continue to grow and develop.
"He's got to be ready."
As for Williams, Allen said, "Dexter has already caught the eyes of our strength staff in the way he goes about his business and his athleticism and arm talent.
"He's got to be ready."
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballFB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 5 (at Iowa)
Wednesday, September 24
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Week 5 (at Iowa) - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Monday, September 22