Where are they now? Area college football players kick off fall seasons

Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times
·4 min read

College football season is back and here's a list of Bloomington area players from North, South and Edgewood at the college level, to keep an eye on this year:

Levon Bellemy (Edgewood), Minnesota-Duluth

Edgewood grad is back at the NCAA Division II level after transferring in from Iowa Central Community College for his junior season. The 188-pound running back took a year off between his freshman and sophomore seasons, and appeared in eight games at the Fort Dodge, Iowa, school, rushing 62 times for 273 yards and a touchdown. He started off at D-II Upper Iowa in 2019, where he rushed 495 yards and four touchdowns on 139 attempts over nine games.

Maddix Blackwell (South), Indiana State

The redshirt freshman defensive back was not listed on the two-deep, but was on the field when it counted most at the end of the Sycamores' 17-14 overtime win over North Alabama in the opener. Blackwell recorded three tackles, including one for loss. Up next, a trip to Purdue.

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Charlie Bless (North), Butler

Redshirt sophomore linebacker is hoping to earn more playing time in his second full season and made an appearance in the opener vs. St. Thomas (Fla). Bless (6-1, 225) appeared in two games last year vs. DePauw and Morehead State and was named to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll.

Indiana's James Bomba (48) looks to make the catch during fall football camp at Indiana University on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.
Indiana's James Bomba (48) looks to make the catch during fall football camp at Indiana University on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.

James Bomba (South), Indiana

Bomba, a 6-6, 251-pound tight end, transferred back to Bloomington after originally heading to Miami (Ohio) and recently earned a scholarship from the Hoosiers. He appeared in the season opener against Illinois.

Devonte Brown (South), Franklin

Brown is a 6-1, 200-pound freshman defensive lineman for the Griz.

Ben Freel (North), DePauw

The 5-9, 180-pound senior safety came off the bench to collect 14 tackles (11 solo) over 11 games last season and had one pass defended. He had one tackle in the season opening 17-14 win over Rose-Hulman.

Adam Frey (South), Franklin

The 6-0, 260-pound senior was the starting center last year and during the truncated spring 2021 season for the Griz. Frey made the start at right guard to begin the year as the Grizzlies lost their opener at Olivet.

Matthew Griffin (South), Hanover

Griffin is a freshman wide receiver for the Panthers.

Jack Hallett (South), Denison

Hallett is a 6-0, 165-pound freshman receiver for the Big Red.

Jance Hunt (Edgewood), Franklin

The 6-4, 230-pound junior plays tight end for the Griz. He appeared in two games last season.

Reid Johnson (South), DePauw

The 6-1, 210-pound junior is a tight end for the Tigers.

Carl Kerns (North), Trine

The 6-0, 175 freshman is a free safety for the Thunder.

Reece Lozano (North), Indiana

Lozano, a quarterback for the Cougars, is listed as a freshman running back for the Hoosiers.

Cooper Macy (North), DePauw

The 5-10, 175-pound sophomore is a defensive end for the Tigers.

Indiana's Dasan McCullough (0) during the first open practice of the 2022 season at the practice facility at Indiana University on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
Indiana's Dasan McCullough (0) during the first open practice of the 2022 season at the practice facility at Indiana University on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

Dasan McCullough (South), Indiana

The 6-5, 230-pound freshman outside linebacker had a strong debut for the Hoosiers with six tackles in the opener vs. Illinois.

David Nussbaum (South), Wheaton

The 6-0, 240-pounder is a freshman offensive lineman for the Thunder, who opened ranked No. 9 in NCAA Division III.

Jalen Peck (South), Hanover

Peck began his sophomore season with six catches for 37 yards and a touchdown with 43 seconds left that gave his team a chance to tie in a 31-29 loss to Centre. Peck appeared in 10 games last year, catching 16 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Connor Smith (North), DePauw

The 6-3, 275-pound senior offensive lineman started at left guard last year, helping the Tigers reach the playoffs. He's back as a starter, only at center in the season opener against Rose-Hulman. DePauw rushed for 271 yards and generated 401 total yards and gave up just one sack.

Indiana's Aaron Steinfeldt (84) makes a catch during fall football camp at Indiana University on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.
Indiana's Aaron Steinfeldt (84) makes a catch during fall football camp at Indiana University on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.

Aaron Steinfeldt (North), Indiana

The 6-5, 246-pound tight end redshirted last year, but did make a lone appearance in the finale vs. Purdue. Also found game time in the opener vs. Illinois.

Race Stewart (North), Indiana

Stewart is a 6-3, 311-pound redshirt defensive lineman for the Hoosiers. The walk-on was named a defensive scout team player of the week last season.

Kyle Trilling (North), Indianapolis

The former Cougar is a freshman kicker and punter for the Greyhounds.

Zavier Trueblood (North), Indiana

The 5-11, 215 redshirt sophomore linebacker has not found the field yet, but was named Academic All-Big Ten last year.

Mason Vernon (South), Franklin

Vernon is a 5-10, 190-pound sophomore linebacker for the Griz.

Sam Werczynski (North), Hanover

Defensive back returns for his junior season. He appeared in six games in 2021, recording four tackles and one pass defended.

Sam Young (South), Arkansas-Pine Bluff

The 6-4, 295-pound freshman is an offensive lineman for the Golden Lions, who won their opener, 48-42, over Lane.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Where are they now? Area college football players kick off fall seasons