The junior college signing period has been relatively quiet so far in the Big Ten, but Indiana picked up some help for its defense.
The Hoosiers today announced the signing of Jeff Thomas, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound middle linebacker from Foothill Community College in Los Altos Hills, Calif. Thomas will enroll at IU for the spring semester and have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
He was named NorCal Conference Defensive Player of the Year this fall after recording a league-high 104 tackles, 14.5 for loss, to go along with two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and six pass breakups.
Indiana needs bodies in its defensive midsection after losing standout middle linebacker Matt Mayberry to graduation. Starting weakside linebacker Will Patterson, a team captain, also graduates.