2017 DB LaDamion Hunt Commits To Indiana

LaDamion Hunt gave IU cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby a heads up over the phone yesterday that he was leaning towards committing to Indiana.

Today, he went all in.

Hunt, a three-star defensive back, committed to Indiana on Thursday less than 24 hours after hinting at it to Shelby. The Carrollton, Georgia, native is the ninth player to join IU’s 2017 class and the seventh on the defensive side of the ball.

“I was already learning towards them early," Hunt told TheHoosier via text. "I really got to bond with coach Shelby."

The 6-foot-1, 171-pound prospect was recruited by Shelby and new defensive coordinator Tom Allen to play cornerback in Bloomington. Hunt actually just recently moved from safety to cornerback this past spring, meaning he's still learning the position as he goes.

Even though he's still raw at cornerback, Hunt said he's enjoyed the switch. Being at corner allows him the opportunity to match up with opposing receivers head-to-head more often than he was used to at safety, allowing him to take advantage of a self-reported 4.49 40-yard dash speed.

"I love to play man-to-man because I like being right there in the receiver's face," he said.

The Hoosiers offered Hunt a scholarship back in June. He chose Indiana over the likes of Kentucky, Louisville, Minnesota and Purdue, among about 20 offers.

Hunt worked out for Shelby and a few other IU coaches in person this summer at a satellite camp at West Georgia. In the time they worked together, Hunt bonded with Shelby and bought into the things he was teaching and the program Indiana is trying to build with his cornerbacks.

"He's an awesome coach," Hunt said. "He's real upfront with you, and he likes that mind that I have to be great."

Hunt is the second defensive back to commit in the class of 2017, joining Avon, Indiana, safety Bryant Fitzgerald.

Now that his recruitment is closed, Hunt is looking forward to not worrying about schools any longer. Instead, he can invest his time learning crafting his play as a cornerback before arriving in Bloomington next summer.

"It's a good relief now because all I can do is focus on my seniors and this season," Hunt said.