Three-star linebacker Nile Sykes and quarterback Danny Cameron have signed with IU. Both true freshmen will be immediately eligible to join the team and play this fall.
Sykes originally signed to play for Notre Dame on 2014 National Signing Day, but the Lombard, Ill., native has since decided it was in his best interest to leave the Irish program.
Notre Dame agreed to release the 6-foot-1, 219-pound outside linebacker from his National Letter of Intent, making him immediately eligible to join the Hoosier roster.
“We recruited Nile hard,” Wilson said in a press release. “And he was a guy we really wanted. We are happy to have him and welcome him into our program.”
Sykes was a 2013 first team all-state selection while playing for Montini Catholic High School. As a senior, he recorded 80 tackles, 12 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss, helping him to earn a spot on the U.S. Under-19 National Team.
He was ranked the No.-20 inside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com .
With the new-look defense and the versatility of a player comfortable with both dropping back into coverage and rushing the quarterback, Sykes joins fellow true freshmen Tegray Scales and Greg Gooch, who could all make an impact this fall on IU’s rotation of linebackers.
Cameron, the son of former IU coach and current LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback who helped lead Baton Rouge Catholic High School to a 2013 district title.
Cameron played both quarterback and defensive back in the fall, getting most of his playing time as quarterback after starter Nick Coomes was sidelined with injury. He completed 23 of 44 passes for 344 yards and six touchdowns during the season, according to The Advocate newspaper.
Cameron, along with freshman Zander Diamont and redshirt sophomore Nate Boudreau — who has been in the IU system for a year already — might find themselves in what is becoming a fairly competitive race for backup ?quarterback.
At the very least, Cameron will add some much needed depth to the Hoosiers at a quarterback position that was down to just two scholarship players in incumbent starter Nate Sudfeld and Diamont after the recent transfers of Tre Roberson and Cam ?Coffman.
“Danny and Coach Cameron visited with us a couple weeks ago, and we all feel confident that this is a strong fit,” Wilson said. “Danny adds depth to our quarterback position and we are excited to welcome him back to Bloomington.”
