Skip to main content
Indiana

'He's in position to help us this fall': Indiana freshman wideout Lebron Bond continues to turn heads

headshotby: Alec Lasley08/14/25allasley
Syndication: The Herald-Times
Indiana's Lebron Bond (6) at Indiana University football practice on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.

Indiana enters its second season under Curt Cignetti with, once again, one of the more veteran wide receiver rooms in the Big Ten. Traditionally true freshmen aren’t expected to play significant roles, and adding in a veteran group makes it less likely for one to see major snaps. But with just a little over two weeks before the season-opener, freshman Lebron Bond continues to make a name for himself.

The 5-foot-9 Bond splashed early in the spring with a standout performance in the spring game — going for 26 yards on four catches and a touchdown. While his yardage wasn’t eye-popping, his ability to play in the slot with his elusiveness and quickness proved to be a significant step in IU’s potential wide receiving group.

After the graduation of Myles Price, Miles Cross and Ke’Shawn Williams, Indiana was looking to replace major production inside the numbers. That role increased in importance even more after Michigan transfer Tyler Morris tore his ACL in spring ball.

So despite a strong spring for Bond, it was to be determined exactly how he would fit into the rotation that returned Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper, EJ Williams and added Makai Jackson and Jonathan Brady.

“Freshmen, generally speaking, when they come in and go through spring ball, it’s very developmental for them,” Cignetti said in the spring. “They’re a lot better when they come back in August.”

Flash forward to August and Bond continues to turn heads with his ability to make plays and is standing out to his veteran teammates.

“One of the young guys that is having a spectacular time is LeBron, LeBron Bond,” IU running back Roman Hemby said this fall. “He’s doing really well. I’ve been seeing him catch the ball and make a lot of spectacular catches.”

Spectacular catches is a byproduct of all of the work he’s put in since arriving on campus — and the extra reps he got in the spring working with this offensive staff and quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

While it still needs to translate on the field come live game action, it’s clear that Lebron Bond is going to play a role for Indiana this season and likely make some big plays for a wide receiver room that is still looking for some additionaldepth.

“It’s really important to him. Football. He has picked up where he left off [in the spring] and gotten better,” Cignetti said this week.  “Still a little bit more consistency needed, but he’s in the position to help us this fall.”

Not yet a member of TheHoosier?  Join our community for Just $1 for your first week and get a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership. Join here!

Use the code “IND20” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off for all new customers through the end of this week. Rhoback — Best Fit, Best Feel.

You may also like