He was the highest ranked quarterback Indiana has ever successfully recruited.
And now after one season, Donaven McCulley is officially a wide receiver.
After months of speculation, the 6-foot-5 and 210 pound Indianapolis product is now listed on IU’s official roster as a wide receiver. In a Twitter post by head coach Tom Allen, McCulley was included in a photo of the wide receivers at a pool party at his house on Thursday.
Another Awesome Night with our Players!! The WR’s were a pleasure to have in our home. Blessed to be the Coach of these Hoosiers!!! #LEO #BUILD pic.twitter.com/2UPhnWLcZa
— Coach Tom Allen (@CoachAllenIU) July 15, 2022
According to a Thursday evening report by the Indianapolis Star, the decision to move to receiver was McCulley’s.
Longtime IU radio voice Don Fischer suggested the position change was coming in a radio interview in June, lending credibility to rumors that had been swirling since May.
Part of Indiana’s recruiting class of 2021, McCulley was a 4-star prospect and the No. 25 overall quarterback in his class according to the 247Sports Composite.
McCulley was expected to redshirt going into the 2021 season, but a wave of injuries pressed him into service.
He ended up starting four times, played in seven games, and became the third true freshman quarterback in Indiana history to start a game and the sixth overall to see action. McCulley completed 35-of-85 for 475 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he rushed 64 times for 135 yards with two TDs.
Now McCulley is working with new wide receivers coach Adam Henry, who came to IU directly from the Dallas Cowboys. Henry has coached NFL Pro Bowlers Odell Beckham Jr., Anquan Boldin, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Jarvis Landry, and Zach Miller.
McCulley has also joined one of his favorite high school targets in the receivers room, freshman wideout Omar Cooper, Jr.
While he is raw at the position, McCulley’s size and athleticism gives him a chance to make an impact on the outside, where the Hoosiers are looking to replace both of last year’s starters, Ty Fryfogle and Miles Marshall.
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