IU tight end, Bloomington South grad James Bomba earns scholarship

James Bomba's first memories of being an Indiana fan go back to 2007, when he watched Austin Starr's field goal beat Purdue and send the Hoosiers to their first bowl game since 1993. He was 6 years old at the time, but he attended the Insight Bowl that year with his family and every IU bowl game since.

Bomba, a former Bloomington South star, comes from not one, but in a way two lines of IU football players. Both of his grandfathers, Brad Bomba (1954-56) and Bob Van Pelt ('64-66), lettered at Indiana. His father Matt played from 1990-92 and his mother Kelly Van Pelt Bomba is an executive associate athletic director at IU working with the Varsity Club.

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So it was a big deal for Bomba just to be wearing an IU uniform when he joined the program as a walk-on in May 2021 after transferring from Miami (Ohio).

"It meant a lot," Bomba said last week. "When you're growing up and at all the tailgates, going to all the games and you see everyone on the field and you look up to everyone who's playing there, it hits you and it's like, 'Wow, I'm this guy kids are looking up to now.' It's been really cool and it's been a great experience so far."

It can be a better experience now, as Bomba is now getting his schooling paid for. Indiana announced Thursday that Bomba will be on scholarship with a video showing Allen surprising him with the news after a practice.

"Incredibly grateful," Bomba wrote in a post on his Twitter account above the video of Allen making the announcement in front of the team. "I’ve dreamt about this my whole life. To earn an Indiana football scholarship like my dad and both of my grandpas is an honor. Thank you Coach Allen! Time to get to work!"

Bomba, a two-time all-state pick at South, had an opportunity to play at Indiana as a preferred walk-on when he graduated, but picked Miami to be on scholarship. However, he was suspended in the fall of 2020 after he was involved in an off-campus incident at a fraternity house. Bomba was initially charged with assault and trespass, both misdemeanors. The assault charge was dismissed, while Bomba pled no contest to trespass. He was given a 30-day suspended sentence, granted on the condition of good behavior. He returned to Bloomington shortly thereafter and helped out with South's basketball team that winter before deciding to join IU in the spring.

"It's been a dream to play here," Bomba said. "God had a plan for me. That took me to Miami, but it ultimately led me back here."

Bomba redshirted last season but performed well enough on the scout team that the coaching staff had its eye on him with two key losses in the tight end room. Starter Peyton Hendershot and key backup Matt Bjorson, IU's top blocking tight end, moved on with Hendershot earning a roster spot with the Dallas Cowboys. Junior A.J. Barner seemed to be the heir apparent, but the Hoosiers need depth, and Bomba has been that guy. He and former Bloomington North star Aaron Steinfeldt appear to be Barner's top backups with the Hoosiers set to open their season at 8 p.m. ET Friday at Memorial Stadium against Illinois.

"James is a big guy," IU tight ends Kevin Wright said. "He's learned to be a very physical guy. He has soft hands. I think that he's shown right now he can go in, especially when we're in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) he and A.J. are two big bodies who can go in and catch the ball. He's a really good complement in short-yardage situations, but he can also play in the open field."

Wide receiver Christian Harris and tight end Ryan Barnes were also granted scholarships after joining IU as walk-ons.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU tight end, former Bloomington South star James Bomba earns scholarship