Cornley Decides Football, IU Are Right Fits

Javon Cornley has taken a different path than his older brother Jamelle, but both have led to the Big Ten. Javon made that happen Tuesday when he verbally committed to play for the Hoosiers...

Bloomington – Javon Cornley has taken a very different path than his brother to the Big Ten.

Like his older brother Jamelle, Javon is headed to the Big Ten on an athletic scholarship. But unlike his brother who starred in recent years on Ed DeChellis’ Penn State basketball team, Javon is headed to Indiana to play football.

The 6-5, 220-pounder form Columbus (Ohio) Northland H.S. made that decision official this afternoon when he called IU assistant coach Brian George to alert to about his choice.

“Talking to Coach George, he related to me and my mom really well,” Cornley said. “It’s a BCS school, it’s big-time football, big-time competition, so I couldn’t go wrong.”

Cornley had a handful of scholarship offers, but said the decision ultimately came down to IU and Marshall.

“Indiana beat them all out in the end,” Cornley said.

While his brother was an productive-yet-undersized center for the Nittany Lions, Javon won’t face those same obstacles at defensive end. He’s an excellent athlete who George believes can blossom into a big-time pass rusher.

“Coach George likes my speed,” said Cornley, who has 12 tackles and three sacks in his team's first four games this fall. “He says I’m a nice speed rusher, and that’s what they need. They’re going to be losing their top sack guy, and they’re trying to fill that spot.”

Cornley will arrive in Bloomington next fall looking to develop into an impact player on the defensive side of the ball. He said playing in the Big Ten has always been a dream of his, and despite his own successes in basketball that football was the right path for him to take.

“My brother, we both play the same position (in basketball) and we were both undersized,” Cornley said. “There’s just way more opportunities for me in football than in basketball.”

Keep up with the Hoosiers for less than $10 per month!! Sign up for a 7-day Free Trial to HoosierNation.com to what you've been missing. You'll get recruiting updates, recruit videos, expert commentary, breaking news - everything you need from HoosierNation.com!! Try it for seven days...FOR FREE!!