- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,151,159
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 1: Indianapolis Colts safety A.J. Haulcy (25) runs through a drill during the Indianapolis Colts OTA on June 1, 2026 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Indianapolis Colts 1st-year safety AJ Haulcy, who’s the early favorite to start alongside veteran Cam Bynum in the backend of the Horseshoe’s revamped secondary—even as a rookie, has already left a positive impression on his veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo (via the Colts’ Matt Taylor):
The 22-year-old safety has been well regarded for his high football IQ already, identifying ‘subtleties’ in coverage that are seemingly well beyond his football years—and not just explicit to his position.
Furthermore, when Haulcy has made rookie mistakes, which are inevitable for any young pro safety so green, yet getting some early run with the first-team defense, he’s learned from them without repeating them.
Along with returning safety Hunter Wohler, who missed all of last season with a Lisfranc injury but was impressive in last year’s training camp, Haulcy is competing for the Colts open starting safety spot following free agent Nick Cross’s exit—as he signed with the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason.
As a former First-Team All-SEC defender for the LSU Tigers, Haulcy should provide the Colts a versatile safety, who can both ‘ballhawk’ on the backend in coverage, while also being an in-the-box ‘enforcer’ against the run.
While nothing is set in stone at this point, he appears to be in the early driver’s seat to win the open starting safety spot outright through his continued strong performance both on and off the field this offseason.
Continue reading...
