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'Half of training camp he was starting': Healthy Byron Baldwin Jr is back and ready to make an impact for already dominant Indiana defense

headshotby: Alec Lasley20 hours agoallasley
Image 10-31-25 at 12.07 PM
Indiana freshman defensive back Byron Baldwin Jr against UCLA (Byron Baldwin / Instagram)

Indiana football freshman Byron Baldwin made his college debut last week in IU’s 56-6 win over UCLA and it was a long time coming for the talented defensive back.

After arriving at Indiana in the spring, Baldwin quickly emerged as a player who would make an impact in year one with the program. After missing the first five games of the season, he was finally off the injury report against Michigan State but failed to see the field. So, last week against the Bruins was the first time that the four-star prospect and Indiana’s top-rated prospect in the 2025 class was on the field.

He finished with three tackles on six snaps and quickly flashed the potential that was seen inside the building over the last few months.

“He had a heck of a training camp,” defensive backs coach Ola Adams said on Inside IU Football on Thursday night. “Was with the ones [starters]. Half of training camp he was starting.”

Baldwin’s talent is clear and throughout the summer and early parts of fall camp, the potential he had was on full display. What was more impressive was his ability to standout on a defensive unit that was filled with numerous veteran players — especially in the secondary.

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“He’s definitely one of those young guys that’s ready to play right now,” Amare Ferrell said this fall.

Baldwin plays in a defensive backfield that includes Louis Moore and Ferrell, who have played in 75 games combined across their careers thus far. And, this season so far, they’ve played in 90.4 percent and 93.6 percent of total snaps, respectively.

“We have a lot of young talent that we’re trying to develop,” Adams said. “And they have the opportunity to learn from veteran guys. So, I think it’s a heck of an experience for those guys.”

Despite the veterans at the safety position, it’s clear that Baldwin’s skill and ability is there and not just part of the high ranking he had coming out of high school.

“Really talented player. Already physically-able, and mentally is able to pick up what we’re putting down a lot faster than most freshmen,” Adams added. “That’s usually the hardest thing is just learning the way to do things when you get here, and we run a lot of defense, it’s not easy.”

Indiana’s defense ranks second nationally in tackles for loss and sacks, and is also top-5 in third down defense, first downs allowed, scoring defense and top-10 in interceptions and passing efficiency defense.

Adding a healthy Baldwin to an already dominant defense could be a welcomed sign for a team that certainly has aspirations of making a deep playoff run this season.

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