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Jamari Sharpe's emergence as likely starter for Indiana adds more depth, experience at cornerback: 'Got a lot of confidence in him'

headshotby: Alec Lasley08/26/25allasley
Syndication: The Herald-Times
Indiana's Jamari Sharpe (22) at Indiana University football practice on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Indiana football has an All-American cornerback in D’Angelo Ponds starting on one side of the defense and it now appears a clear starter opposite of him has emerged.

Redshirt junior Jamari Sharpe came into fall camp in the middle of a competitive position battle and as Indiana enters week one of the 2025 season it appears he will be in store for an increased role.

“I thought Sharpe came on at the end of last season,” IU head coach Curt Cignetti said on Monday. “He started the last three or four games for us, and he’s picked up where he left off. Got a lot of confidence in him.”

Sharpe finished 2024 with 13 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and six pass breakups. Sharpe started against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff and had four tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

Sharpe has appeared in 24 games for Indiana in his career, with 12 starts. He was a starter in 2023 before moving into an vital experienced depth role last season.

Indiana brought in two notable and experienced transfers this offseason in Pitt transfer Ryland Gandy and Northern Illinois transfer Amariyun Knighten — a duo that has combined for 54 games played with 27 starts and 92 tackles. Freshman Jaylen Bell also has emerged throughout both spring and fall camps as someone who will receive snaps throughout the season.

“Gandy has played a lot of football coming from Pitt as a starter, and Jaylen Bell is a good, young prospect,” Cignetti added.

It appears Sharpe will beat out all three for a starting spot, however.

“He’s been evolving tremendously,” Ponds said of Sharpe earlier this fall. “Jamari has been great for us and I think he’s going to have a great year.”

Indiana’s defensive backfield is experienced and talented alongside the All-American Ponds. Its first action is this Saturday against Old Dominion.

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