Verdell Jones III has been through the ups and downs at Indiana. He was part of a team that won six games during Tom Crean’s first season in 2008-09.FORT WAYNE – Indiana’s secondary could have a Bishop Luers look to it in a couple of years.
Defensive back and running back Kenny Mullen, who will begin his senior season at Luers in the fall, made an oral commitment Thursday to play football for the Hoosiers.
Mullen said former Knights teammate Lawrence Barnett, a redshirt freshman defensive back for the Hoosiers, provided guidance during the recruiting process.
“He really wanted me to make the best decision for me,” Mullen said during a phone interview. “He said no matter where I decided to go, he would have my back. But he told me that IU is a real good place, and he would rather be no place but there.
“They are losing two DBs by the time I get there. It will be a great opportunity to play young. (Barnett) said he has a great academic mentor who keeps him on top of his books. Having somebody like that and having Lawrence there is a great feeling.
“I feel comfortable with the decision I made.”
The 5-foot-10, 158-pound Mullen chose IU over Michigan State and Ohio State.
“I went to Ohio State Sunday and I liked everything, but it didn’t have the feeling that I did when I went to IU,” Mullen said. “I went to visit (IU on Wednesday) and everything went well. I really liked the place. I felt that it was the right fit for me.”
Mullen liked the look of the facilities and enjoyed his meetings with the coaches.
“IU is obviously building their program, but they are also building their facilities,” Mullen said. “Everything is basically new now and looking real good. IU should have great success over the next few years.
“The coaches were really open and down to earth. They could relate to young people, which is important. It was a great feeling to sit down and talk to the coaches about. I talked to my parents and they really liked it, and they thought it would be a good move.”
Nick Stoner and Mark Murphy also made oral commitments, bringing Indiana’s class of 2011 to 14 players.
Stoner is a 6-foot-1, 155- pound defensive back from Greenwood Center Grove. Murphy (6-2, 195 pounds) is from St. Vincent-St. Mary out of Akron, Ohio.
