In training camp in 2025, Hunter Wohler was a surprise standout for the Indianapolis Colts. He was a hard-nosed player who appeared to be quite good against the run. Then he suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason, and his season was done.
Now, his hopes of starting for the Colts in the future might be done, too. That is because the team chose LSU safety AJ Haulcy in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft. Wohler might have been thinking he could take the place of Nick Cross, who left in free agency.
Haulcy is almost 6-feet tall and weighs 215 pounds, but he ran a 4.52 40-yard dash. He is fast enough to play safety in the NFL, and big enough to do so as well.
Indianapolis Colts drafting AJ Haulcy likely moves Hunter Wohler back to the bench
Of course, counting on any rookie to immediately be good might be too much, but Haulcy transitioned to the SEC in 2025 and was named First-Team All-SEC. The conference consistently produces high-end NFL-caliber talent, so if Haulcy can excel quickly in the SEC, he might be able to do so in the NFL, too.
Maybe in Week 1, Hunter Wohler is the starter at safety across from Cam Bynum. By Week 3? Maybe not.
There is nothing that Wohler can do that Haulcy appears incapable of doing. Moreover, Haulcy is the faster player. He is also a proven ball-hawk with eight interceptions in the last two seasons combined. A safety who can play the run well, which Haulcy should be able to do, while also forcing turnovers? That is a player who needs real reps.
AJ Haulcy isn't a perfect player yet, though. While he has straightforward speed, he might struggle against quicker receivers at first. He will need to refine his technique in that area. The only reason he doesn't supplant Hunter Wohler as a starter by Week 1 is that Haulcy might need a little time to adjust ot the speed of the NFL. Every rookie does.
Still, the Indianapolis Colts didn't take Haulcy in the third round to play special teams. The expectation is that he will be a starter eventually. That eventuality might come as soon as Week 1 of the 2026 season.
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