Unfinished business.

That’s the message from Indiana cornerback Tiawan Mullen. The third-year man is coming back to Bloomington next season. He announced the news Saturday evening on Twitter.

“I have been presented with the opportunity to declare for the NFL Draft, however after long talks with my Mom, family, friends, and coaches, I have decided to return for my last year of eligibility at Indiana University,” the corner wrote. “The season didn’t go how we wanted it to go, but my work here at Indiana is not done. The future is bright for the 2022 Indiana Hoosiers. Excited for what’s in store.”

Mullen’s commitment to the team moving forward is a win for coach Tom Allen in a season where those were few and far between. Indiana went 6-2 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, announcing its arrival as a player in the Big Ten East with wins over Michigan and Penn State and a close performance against Ohio State.

Things came crashing down this season, though. The Hoosiers lost their last 8 games, the final a 44-7 drubbing by Purdue, to finish 2-10. Everyone struggled. Mullen appeared in just 6 games—with 4 starts—as he dealt with a nagging lower leg injury suffered during the Western Kentucky game.

But Mullen is a source of optimism on the defense moving forward if he’s healthy. As a freshman in 2019, he was a Freshman All-American. In 2020, he was named to the FWAA All-American first team. He has 20 pass breakups and 3 interceptions through his first 3 years as a Hoosier.

Mullen’s return will allow him a season with his brother, Trevell, a 4-star corner committed to the Hoosiers in the 2022 class.