Numerous Hoosiers garner praise from teammates at Big Ten Media Days

Indiana was only allowed to send three players to last week’s Big Ten Media Days, but several other Hoosiers got mention throughout the breakout sessions.

Aiden Fisher, Elijah Sarratt and Mikail Kamara were asked questions on a plethora of topics during their interviews, but when asked about any one of their teammates, they didn’t hesitate to talk up their fellow Hoosiers.

For what was said about Fernando Mendoza, you can check that out here, but for all the other Hoosiers mentioned by the three Indiana representatives, let’s get into it.

WATCH: Big Ten Football Media Days Breakout Session Q&A: Wide Receiver Elijah Sarratt

Defensive Back D’Angelo Ponds

Mikail Kamara was asked about D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana’s All-American cornerback who is a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ponds totaled 33 tackles and three interceptions a year ago, following up a terrific freshman season at JMU where he was introduced to Kamara.

Kamara on Ponds: “He’s just smooth. Like he don’t really let anything affect him. Like he’s he doesn’t let any media attention or anything affect him. So I respect him in that regard. And he cares about his business. you watch his film, he does his work and he sets out to be the best. He’s one of the most humble guys that I know. He doesn’t really speak too much, but when he’s on the field, everyone hears about him.”

WATCH: Big Ten Football Media Days Breakout Session Q&A: Defensive End Mikail Kamara

Running Backs Roman Hemby, Lee Beebe Jr. and Kaelon Black

In a series of questions asked about his offensive teammates, Elijah Sarratt shared his thoughts on Indiana’s running back trio, as they’re expected to split snaps throughout the season.

With Hemby and Beebe Jr. acting as the de facto replacements for Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton, that’s what Sarratt was asked about and who he mentioned first, but he made sure to include the returnee Kaelon Black in addition to Indiana’s two transfer pickups at running back.

Sarratt said: “Yeah, both of them boys got some juice for sure. They both can do it in the run game and in the passing game. They’re going to be some great running backs this year along with my boy KB. All three of them going to be a great trio.”

Wide Receiver Jonathan Brady

Sarratt was also asked about another key transfer addition in Jonathan Brady. He was a spring portal pickup, as with the season-ending injury to Tyler Morris, Indiana had a hole to fill. Brady is most known for his experience with Mendoza at Cal, but he should be a dynamic player in his own right for Indiana.

Sarratt mentioned: “Yeah. Uh, real good. And you know, he got that connection with Fernando being having that Cal connection. He comes in, works hard. Me and him, we talk a lot. So, for the short time I’ve known him, we’ve gotten close and he is a good dude for sure.”

Wideouts Lebron Bond, Davion Chandler, Myles Kendrick

In addition to the newest offensive additions through the portal, Sarratt was also asked about the Hoosiers’ freshman class of wide receivers. Lebron Bond, Davion Chandler, and Myles Kendrick are all talented, with Bond and Chandler both having impressive spring seasons. Sarratt mentions what he thinks each of their outlooks are, giving detail on what he’s seen so far.

He said: “Man, them boys gonna be good for sure. Uh, LeBron, Dav definitely see them playing this year. Miles is going to be a great player for us in the future. Uh, but them boys, they work hard. They show them the ropes every single day, trying to put them on the same trajectory that I’m on. So, they’ve been looking good so far. They got to keep on stacking them days and be patient, you know.”

Linebacker Amari Kamara

Another freshman that was mentioned was someone that has a special relationship with Mikail Kamara, that being his brother Amari. Mikail was asked about how great it’s been having his younger brother on the roster, while also explaining how the young linebacker is developing as an incoming freshman.

Kamara explained: “He’s been great. He’s been great. He’s uh he’s been working his tail off. He definitely has a chip on his shoulder going to, you know, Going to camp, going to the season. He’s got a lot of things he’s excited to work on, right? So, he’s he’s enjoying it. I’m enjoying having him here and it’s like special. It’s almost for real like seeing him walk in the locker room, seeing him walking and training. I’m like, my brother’s here like for real for real here. Like he’s on the roster tonight. So, it’s a blessing.”

Linebacker PJ Nelson

Continuing the theme of first-year players, Aiden Fisher gave a nice mention to PJ Nelson, a freshman linebacker from Cincinnati. The three-star recruit is unlikely to see the field for the Hoosiers this season, but Fisher sees his potential.

He said: “PJ’s come a long way since spring. From spring practice one , you could tell he was a young guy. Moving forward, he’s really started to develop, started to grow mentally.”

WATCH: Big Ten Football Media Days Breakout Session Q&A: Linebacker Aiden Fisher

Linebacker Kaiden Turner

Fisher also mentioned a veteran in the linebacker room, with Kaiden Turner getting a shoutout from the leader of the Indiana defense. Turner has been with the Hoosiers for the past three seasons, giving him valuable experience that Fisher recognizes as being a strength of his.

Fisher explained: “Kaiden Turner is an older guy, understands the system and, you know, I think he’s really starting to understand it versus last year. And he played great all spring, he had a great spring game.”

Defensive Lineman Tyrique Tucker

Finally, Fisher mentioned another defensive player in more of an unserious way. He was asked which Hoosier would be the best on a “Hard Knocks” style show, and Fisher said that Tyrique Tucker would be the most entertaining. The defensive tackle is expected to play a large role on the defense this year, but Fisher commended him more for his humor.

He mentioned: “He’s the funniest person I’ve seen, hands down. The Camera would be on him the entire time, like you can’t miss a moment with him.”

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