BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Buckle up, Hoosier Nation. The recruiting trail just got blazing hot, and Indiana is officially on the move. LaRon Dues — the dynamic, do-it-all athlete from Sarasota’s Cardinal Mooney High School — has shut down his whirlwind recruitment tour with a booming commitment to Indiana University.
After eye-catching visits and heavy interest from a Power Five-heavy finalist list that included Oregon, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, and hometown USF, Dues dropped the hammer this week with a thunderous declaration:
“Go Hoosiers!” he told Rivals, flashing that signature Florida swagger.
But this wasn’t just another commitment. This was a statement. And Dues made it loud and clear: Indiana isn’t just in the conversation — they’re building something real, and he wants in on the ground floor.
Why Indiana? The Connection Was Deeper Than Football
In a recruiting landscape where flash often overshadows fit, Dues’ decision to pledge crimson and cream was rooted in one thing: relationships.
“What put Indiana over the top was the relationship I had with the coaches,” he explained. “And it’s a rising program as well.”
That rising program just got a whole lot more dangerous.
Dues spent the weekend soaking in Bloomington — and according to him, there wasn’t a single slow moment.
“The weekend was great. I had zero dull moments,” he said, painting a picture of a visit packed with energy, excitement, and vision.
A Florida Pipeline Opens — Again
In a bold recruiting swing into Sunshine State territory, Indiana strikes gold for the second time in just one week. First, they flipped Kevontay Hugan — another Sarasota standout — and now they’ve doubled down with Dues. Something’s clearly cooking between Bloomington and the Gulf Coast.
Dues brings elite versatility to the table: a two-way dynamo who torched defenses as a receiver while locking them down as a defensive back. But in Indiana’s plans, he’s destined to become a weapon on the defensive side of the ball — with an edge.
“The meetings were the best part of the visit,” Dues revealed. “That’s where they showed me the vision — strong safety. They want me to play early, and they expect me to be a playmaker.”
Let that sink in: not just a role player. A game-changer. A day-one contributor. In a conference as ruthless as the Big Ten, Indiana’s intent to unleash Dues from the jump is a daring move — and a necessary one.
Coach Ola Adams: The Architect Behind the Scenes
Every successful recruitment has its ringleader, and in this case, it’s defensive backs coach Ola Adams, who emerged as the central figure in Dues’ recruitment saga.
“Coach Ola Adams is my guy up there,” Dues said. “And everyone was very excited that I was coming.”
Excited might be putting it mildly. The buzz around the Indiana facility is electric. They didn’t just land a commit — they landed a culture changer.
Dues isn’t just showing up with skills — he’s bringing swagger, intensity, and leadership.
“I’ll bring all of me to IU,” he declared. “My message to the fans? Hoosier Nation — wake up. I’m home!”
Making History: Indiana Charging Toward Top-25 Glory
With Dues now in the fold, Indiana inches closer to what would be a historic recruiting milestone: cracking the Top 25 class rankings. For a program long overshadowed by conference juggernauts, the addition of a Florida playmaker of Dues’ caliber signals something seismic — a changing of the guard.
The Hoosiers are no longer quietly rebuilding — they’re loudly reloading.
Final Word: LaRon Dues is the Firestarter
LaRon Dues isn’t just another name on a commitment list — he’s the sparkplug that could ignite a defensive revolution in Bloomington. He’s versatile, he’s vocal, and above all, he’s fearless.
And now, he’s a Hoosier.
Indiana just sent a message to the rest of the Big Ten: The sleeping giant is waking up. And LaRon Dues might just be the alarm clock.
Brace yourself — Bloomington is about to get rowdy.
