Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo only needed three words to describe 2026 third-round draft pick AJ Haulcy, though he used more. The three that matter from the DC on the new safety? "He gets football."
Having physically talented players is, obviously, important. Just as important is having those physically gifted people who also have high football IQs. One doesn't want a player to simply react with speed, but to be able to read a play before it develops. That seems to be Haulcy.
Anarumo spoke with the Indy media during minicamp this week, and according to ESPN's Stephen Holder, Anarumo said of Haulcy, "He's come in and exceeded my expectations, just from a mental standpoint... He's not a repeat offender when it comes to a mistake that he may make. He gets football."
Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo raves about rookie safety AJ Haulcy
The DC saying that during minicamp is important because that may mean that the rookie is setting himself up to be a starter with a fantastic training camp. No other player should have an advantage over him, either. Hunter Wohler is a second-year player who missed his rookie season after suffering a Lisfranc injury, but Haulcy has better raw athleticism and was extremely productive in college.
Not that the last bit automatically translates to the NFL, and normally, some of that might have been based on the player simply being better physically than his college opponents. With Haulcy, Anarumo's words imply something else was afoot.
Haulcy was definitely elite in coverage and against the run in his final year of college at LSU (he previously played at Houston), but that might also be due to his being able to anticipate what was coming by reading an offense. If he is already doing that against the Colts' offense, that speaks volumes.
Sure, what the Indianapolis Colts are currently doing in practice is somewhat vanilla, but even then, it's likely more advanced than what AJ Haulcy saw at LSU. Head coach Shane Steichen might have had his issues leading an overall team, but likely very few doubt he understands how to make an offense productive.
He did so even before coming to Indy in 2023. He was quite good as the offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, from 2019 through 2022. If AJ Haulcy is already thinking he knows what Steichen's offense is trying to do, the rookie safety would also likely have a good idea about the opponents that the Colts face.
Ultimately, the Colts will probably have at least two rookies starting on defense in the 2026 season. Linebacker CJ Allen is one, and Haulcy at safety is likely the other. That alone might help Anarumo's defense be much better than last season, the defensive coordinator's first season in Indy.
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