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Indiana’s top defensive back announces he’s returning in 2017
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Many are wondering how new IU coach Tom Allen will fare in the recruiting world. His ability to keep the top talent in Indiana could determine his success in Bloomington.
It appears that Allen already kept one of the top talents in Indiana. But it wasn’t a top recruit. It was one of his top returning players.
Indiana’s top defensive back, Rashard Fant, announced that he’ll wait on the NFL and return for his senior year in 2017:
One More Year; I'm In! #IUFB
— Rashard Fant (@RashardFant) January 5, 2017
That’s as key of a commitment as any for Allen.
The second-team All-B1G selection was part of a dramatically improved pass defense, which went from one of the worst units in 2015 to finishing among the top half of the country. The Atlanta native finished with a team-high 17 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Fant will return as one of the leaders of Allen’s defense and as a likely preseason first-team All-B1G selection. The junior was arguably IU’s biggest defensive question mark for 2017.
The Hoosiers will return a defensive core of Fant, Tegray Scales, Marcus Oliver and Marcelino Ball.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.