Hunt, Layne Impressing Early In Indiana Secondary
Jordan Wells/TheHoosier.com
A pair of young cornerbacks are making a name for themselves early in their IU careers.
Freshman Raheem Layne and freshman LaDamion Hunt have both impressed Hoosier coaches thus far in camp.
Hunt originally chose the Hoosiers over Kentucky, Louisville and Minnesota among others, while Layne picked IU over Iowa, Minnesota, Purdue, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest in addition to other offers.
“Hopefully we play all of them," cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby said. "In this day and age with so many people going hurryup, you’re going to need everybody.
"You look at last season, we’re playing in a bowl game with only two guys [A’Shon Riggins sat with a concussion.] We have to make sure as the season goes these guys are getting reps, because everyone is going to have to play.
"Unless something crazy happens, those freshmen LaDamion Hunt and Raheem Layne – who are doing a good job, they’re going to be great players for us – they’re really impressive at this point.”
Layne was tabbed a two-star recruit by Rivals in the 2017 cycle, while Hunt picked up a three-star rating. According to Shelby, the immediate impact of the duo might exceed those expectations.
"They love football," SHelby said. "Those are some qualities those recruiting services get wrong.
"Those guys down there love football and they love coming to work. They take coaching – 'Yes sir' type of young men. Those are the guys you love to coach. They take well when you pat them on the back, but when you get on them, they take that well too. They study the playbook.
"I’m just really excited about those young men.”
Like Shelby, IU senior cornerback Rashard Fant - a preseason All-Big Ten selection - is happy to have more depth at his position.
“They’ve come in and they’ve held their own," Fant said. "They’ve done some great things.
"Raheem is a faster corner – he’s the speedster out there. He plays similar to me but he’s longer, and he likes to be physical, then Hunt is the real physical one on the other side. He loves to get his hands up on the line.
"They came here with confidence – they play hard and always compete. They hold their own, no matter who they’ve gone up against in our receiving corps. I’m excited – I can’t wait to see what they can do. I definitely know IU is in good hands for a while between them, A’Shon, Ty Green, Andre Brown and the others. It’s so deep now.”
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