Update 2: Dunnam tells The Daily Hoosier there was a misunderstanding with the new staff and he will not be returning to the team.
Update 1: Dunnam deleted his social media post indicating he planned to return. We’ll continue to monitor the situation.
Original story follows:
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Indiana got a pleasant New Year’s Day surprise when 2023 starting safety Phillip Dunnam announced he is returning to the Hoosiers.
Officially taking my name out the portal and will return to Indiana with 2 years of eligibility remaining. #AGTG🙏🏾
— Phillip Dunnam † (@DunnamPhillip) January 1, 2024
Regarded as one of IU’s best defensive playmakers, Dunnam had three interceptions, 53 tackles and nine passes defensed in 2023.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Miami, Fla. native was one of only two true freshman in 2022 (Jaylin Lucas) to not redshirt.
Dunnam was a relatively unheralded prospect out of North Miami Beach H.S., but he quickly flashed his potential in Bloomington.
“I felt like we got a little bit of a diamond in the rough that wasn’t maybe recruited at the level that I thought he should have been,” former coach Tom Allen said in October. “And that was to our benefit because some people overlooked him.”
Prior to today, safety was a position of concern for the 2024 season. New head coach Curt Cignetti saw both Dunnam and his fellow starter Louis Moore enter the portal. Moore will play for Ole Miss next season, and to this point Indiana has not landed anyone on the back end via the portal.
Now Dunnam should lead the way for Indiana at strong safety, with returners Josh Sanguinetti, Bryson Bonds, Tyrik McDaniel, Amare Ferrell and freshman Jah Jah Boyd also in the mix for snaps.
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