Transfer Portal Tracker: Who's coming, who's going for Indiana football?
The NCAA's newly amended 45-day transfer portal window begins on Monday, December 4 for a 30 day stretch, just barely spilling over into the new year.
Indiana heavily relied upon transfers a season ago, making up for a large portion of the snaps and production in the 2023 campaign. IU went 3-9 last year, and fired head coach Tom Allen after seven seasons at the head of the program.
TheHoosier.com is keeping tabs on who's coming and going from the Indiana football program. Follow along with this tracker to follow who is entering the portal from the Hoosiers.
OUTGOING
11/26/23 – Dexter Williams II, QB
Indiana lost scholarship quarterback Dexter Williams II to the transfer portal on Sunday, he announced on social media.
The second quarterback of the day to enter the portal, the Hoosiers QB room now stands with just two players on scholarship as of now – Tennessee transfer Tayven Jackson and freshman Broc Lowry.
The redshirt junior was the oldest player in the IU quarterback situation this season, but did not see any playing time this year. He spent last offseason and the first half of this season recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after an injury in the 2022 Purdue game ended up being his final appearance in an Indiana uniform.
In four games during the 2022 season – his only in which he saw the field in Bloomington, Williams threw for 184 yards on just 13-of-38 completion attempts, and threw for two touchdowns. His best asset was perhaps his legs and his athleticism, tacking on 165 rushing yards and a score on 40 attempts on the ground.
*UPDATE* — On 12/21, Williams II announced he’d be transferring to Georgia Southern.
11/26/23 – Brendan Sorsby, QB
Indiana is losing starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby to the transfer portal, he announced on Sunday afternoon.
The redshirt freshman totaled 1,587 yards through the air and 286 yards on the ground this season. He threw for 15 touchdowns and turned the ball over via interception just five times, and rushed for four more scores. After winning the starting job from Tayven Jackson following the Michigan game, Sorsby scored at least two total touchdowns in the season's final six games.
In the postgame press conference following the Purdue game, now-former head coach Tom Allen mentioned that he believed Indiana had found the starting quarterback of its future in Sorsby.
Now, the Hoosiers face questions once again on the quarterback front.
*UPDATE* – Sorsby announced on 12/6 that he would be transferring to Cincinnati.
11/26/23 – Myles Jackson, LB/EDGE
Upon news breaking on Sunday morning that Indiana was moving on from head coach Tom Allen, Jackson became the first to officially announce his intentions to transfer. A former UCLA transfer, Jackson spent two seasons in the Hoosier program. During his time at Indiana, he accumulated 43 tackles, four of them coming for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Jackson accumulated a defensive grade of 59.8 from PFF this past season. Jackson's rushing defense graded out to a 69.5 and his pass rush a 55.3.
As a graduate transfer, Jackson has one season left in college.
*UPDATE* — Jackson announced on 12/11 that he’d be transferring to Tulsa.
11/27/23 – Patrick Lucas Jr., DL
Monday morning, Indiana DL Patrick Lucas announced that he was transferring his name into the transfer portal as a grad transfer.
In his second season with Indiana after transferring from Ole Miss, Lucas tallied 14 tackles and a half a tackle for a loss in his senior season with the Hoosiers. Playing on the interior of the defensive line, Lucas played a key role in Indiana's rushing defense all season long.
As a graduate transfer, Lucas has one year left of eligibilty.
*UPDATE* — On 12/18, Lucas announced he’d be transferring to Memphis.
11/27/23 – LeDarrius Cox, DL
On Monday, LeDarrius Cox became the second Indiana DL to enter his name into the transfer portal following the firing of Tom Allen.
Cox came over in the transfer portal alongside Patrick Lucas after spending his couple of collegiate seasons at Ole Miss. Cox ended his second season with Indiana with 10 tackles and two tackles for a loss.
As a graduate transfer, Cox has one season left of eligibility.
*UPDATE* — On 12/13, Cox announced he’d be transferring to UAB.
11/27/23 – James Monds III, DB
James Monds became the sixth Hoosier to enter their name into the transfer portal, when he announced decision on Monday.
As a redshirt freshman, Monds had four tackles for the Hoosiers in limited playing time this past season after appearing in two games a year ago as a true freshman.
Monds enters his name into the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* – On 12/20, Monds announced he'd be transferring to Middle Tennessee.
11/27/23 – Jared Casey, LB
Casey is the seventh Hoosier to enter his name into the transfer portal, as On3 reported Monday morning the former Kentucky linebacker would be transferring.
His production was limited in 20 games in Bloomington as he was deeper in the Hoosiers' depth chart at linebacker. In all, Casey totaled 21 total tackles, half of one being for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Casey will have one year of eligibility remaining.
11/27/23 – Trent Howland, RB
On Monday, Trent Howland became the eighth Indiana player to enter the transfer portal.
The sophomore tailback ascended Indiana's depth chart to become one of Indiana's leading rushers throughout the second half of the season. In 2023, he rushed for 354 yards and two touchdowns, also hauling in three receptions for 22 yards in the passing game.
He'll have two years of eligibility remaining wherever he goes.
*UPDATE* — Howland announced on 12/17 that he’d be withdrawing from the transfer portal and staying at IU.
11/27/23 – Chris Freeman, K
Indiana's starting kicker is hitting the transfer portal, he announced on Monday afternoon.
Freeman's junior season in Bloomington was his first as the starting place kicker after sitting behind Charles Campbell to begin his career. He converted on 10-of-14 attempts this season (71.4%) – 4-4 under 29 yards, 3-4 from 30-39, 2-4 from 40-49 and 1-2 from 50+. He was 29-30 on extra points this season.
He'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
11/27/23 – Nick James, DL
Former four-star IMG Academy D-lineman Nick James entered the transfer portal as a redshirt freshman on Monday afternoon, according to his social media pages.
He appeared in 16 games as a Hoosier and all 12 this most recent season, accumulating seven tackles and one for loss in his time in Bloomington. A highly touted recruit, he was likely in line for a much larger role in the coming years for IU's DL.
He has three years of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* — On 12/17, James announced he’d be transferring to Pitt.
11/27/23 – Donaven McCulley, WR
Indiana's top wideout hit the transfer portal on Monday afternoon, the latest in a flurry of expected departures to come across for IU.
McCulley exploded onto the scene as the Hoosiers' top wideout at just his second year at the position for Indiana – a once-converted four-star quarterback who started games as the Hoosiers' lead signal caller just two seasons ago.
In 2023, McCulley hauled in 48 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns, a massive improvement from his 16-catch output the year before. His loss, should he not choose to return, is a massive hit to the IU receiving corp. Offensive coordinator Rod Carey and the entire Indiana staff was high on him, hoping there wasn't a ceiling for the 6-foot-5 target on the outside.
*UPDATE* – On 12/15, McCulley announced that he would be withdrawing from the transfer portal and staying in Bloomington.
11/27/23 – Zach Carpenter, C
Indiana's starting center for the past two years announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Monday afternoon.
A former Michigan transfer, Carpenter was one of the most tenured starters on the Hoosier front line during his time at Indiana.
By entering the portal as a grad transfer, Carpenter will have one season of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* — On 12/18, Carpenter announced he’d be transferring to Miami.
11/27/23 – Kahlil Benson, RT
Benson, the starting right tackle for Indiana this past season, is entering the transfer portal according to multiple reports.
The redshirt junior made 24 appearances for the Hoosiers, making five starts in the 2022 season and taking over in 2023 as one of the mainstays on Indiana's offensive line this past season.
*UPDATE* — Benson announced he’d be transferring to Colorado on 12/9.
11/27/23 – Carter Smith, LT
Redshirt freshman left tackle Carter Smith impressed early on with new offensive line coach Bob Bostad in the fall, earning a spot on the Hoosiers' front line as Indiana's primary blindside blocker.
On Monday, reports surfaced that he intends to enter the transfer portal this offseason.
He started all 12 games for Indiana in 2023 at left tackle.
He'll have three years of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* – On 12/13, Smith announced on social media that he was withdrawing from the transfer portal and coming back to Indiana.
11/27/23 – Aaron Steinfeldt, TE
A Bloomington North product and former three-star recruit, tight end Aaron Steinfeldt announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Monday afternoon.
Steinfeldt played in 19 games over his three years in Bloomington, totaling seven receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. While playing in 11 games during the 2022 season, Steinfeldt only saw action in seven games in the most recent campaign.
As a senior in high school, Steinfeldt was named the state's best tight end with his reception of the Indiana Football Coaches Association positional Mr. Football award.
He'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
11/27/23 – Matthew Bedford, RG
A fourth member of Indiana's starting offensive line entered the transfer portal on Monday evening when Matthew Bedford announced his intentions to pursue other options via his social media pages.
Bedford, a redshirt senior this past season and stalwart on Indiana's frontline, appeared in 41 games with 39 starts at four different positions in the offensive trenches for Indiana. He moved to right guard this season after returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for all of the 2022 season.
As a graduate transfer, the 6-foot-6, 305-pound lineman will have one year of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* — On 12/18, Bedford announced he’d be transferring to Oregon.
11/27/23 — Phillip Dunnam, S
Dunnam became the latest Hoosier to announce intentions to enter the transfer portal on Monday night, per reports from On3.
Ascending into the Hoosiers’ main rotation in the defensive backfield, Dunham totaled 53 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions. The three takeaways was tied for a team-high with fellow safety Louis Moore.
A former three-star athlete and true sophomore, Dunnam will have at least two years of eligibility remaining.
11/28/23 – Julian Kameristy, DL
A preferred walk-on who joined the program in 2021, the Chicago native and former IMG Academy product Kameristy redshirted his first season and didn't see any game action in 2022 or 2023.
On Tuesday, a report surfaced that he had entered the transfer portal.
A redshirt sophomore this past season, Kameristy will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
11/29/23 – Joshua Sales Jr., OL
Sales, a redshirt sophomore this past season at Indiana, entered the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon.
After redshirting the 2021 season in Bloomington, Sales saw action in six games in the 2022 campaign. However, Sales did not see action on the playing field in 2023 according to indiana's participation report.
A former three-star recruit from in-state powerhouse Brownsburg, Sales will have two years of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* – On 12/28, Sales announced he'd be transferring to Purdue.
11/29/23 – Louis Moore, S
Indiana's starting safety adjacent to Dunnam, Louis Moore entered the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon.
In 2023, the senior and former JUCO product totaled 83 tackles, forced three fumbles and intercepted three passes. Moore spent two seasons in the Bloomington, appearing in 23 total games.
Moore will have a season of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* — Moore announced on 12/11 that he’d be transferring to Ole Miss.
11/30/23 – Jaquez Smith, WR
A redshirt sophomore this past season – his third in Bloomington – Smith never saw any game action with the Hoosiers.
The Atlanta native redshirted in 2021 and missed the 2022 season with an injury. There is no participation to report upon from his most recent year in the program last season.
Smith will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
12/5/23 – Jordan Shaw, DB
A former three-star defensive back in the class of 2023, Shaw became one of the first Indiana players to hit enter the transfer portal under new head coach Curt Cignetti.
Shaw played in just four games in 2023, totaling 12 tackles and a pass defended in 2023. He largely filled the husky role for Indiana after Noah Pierre went down with a season-ending injury.
Shaw will have three years of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* — Shaw announced on 12/11 that he’d be transferring to Arizona.
12/5/23 – Jordan Grier, DB
Indiana junior defensive back Jordan Grier entered the portal on Tuesday afternoon, the second player to do so since Curt Cignetti took over as the Hoosiers' head coach in Bloomington.
Grier played in 29 games during his time in Bloomington, accumulating 34 total tackles, with two of them coming for loss.
The Ellenwood, Ga. native will have a year of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* – On 12/31, Grier announced he'd be transferring to Memphis.
12/6/23 – Jaylin Lucas, RB
Indiana sophomore tailback and do-it-all back Jaylin Lucas entered the portal on Wednesday morning, per his social media account.
The Louisiana native was a first-team All-American kick returner during his freshman season with the Hoosiers. The return act featured another touchdown in 2023.
Lucas played in 23 games during his time at Indiana. He rushed for 546 yards and four touchdowns, hauled in 50 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns, and returned 43 kickoffs for 1163 yards and three touchdowns – the longest of which coming this past season in the Purdue finale.
Lucas will have plenty of suitors in the portal. He'll have at least two years of eligibility remaining.
12/6/23 – Cam Camper, WR
Camper entered the portal as a graduate transfer on Wednesday, according to a report on Twitter.
Both of Camper's seasons at Indiana were cut prematurely short due to injury. A former JUCO transfer from Lancaster, Tx. and Trinity Valley Community College, Camper had 63 receptions for 854 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games as a Hoosier.
He'll have one year of eligibility remaining.
12/8/23 – Anthony Jones, EDGE/OLB
In 12 games with the Hoosiers, Jones saw limited action – recording just 12 tackles, with half of one being for loss. Jones cited his mental health and other personal reasons for his entrance into the portal.
He arrived in Bloomington ahead of the 2023 season after a freshman year at Oregon that saw him redshirt in Eugene with only two games of action.
Jones, upon picking a destination, will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
*UPDATE* On 12/17, Jones announced he’d be transferring to Oregon State.
INCOMING
12/10/23 – Justice Elllison, RB (prev. Wake Forest)
Ellison is the first player to commit to Indiana out of the transfer portal after Curt Cignetti took the head coaching job. He was an All-ACC third-team selection in 2022.
12/14 – Kurtis Rourke, QB (prev. Ohio)
Rourke is a massive domino to fall, as the Hoosiers secured commitment from the highly productive transfer QB from Ohio on Thursday afternoon. He was the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year in the MAC.
12/16 — Trey Wedig, OL (prev. Wisconsin)
Wedig is a valuable addition to Indiana’s offensive line, with worthy experience and familiarity with Bob Bostad on his side.
12/18 — Miles Cross, WR (prev. Ohio)
Cross, a wide receiver transfer from Ohio, reunites with Rourke to reform one of the Bobcats’ best duos from the past two seasons.
12/18 – Myles Price, WR (prev. Texas Tech)
The second receiver to select Indiana out of the portal on Monday, Price is a slot receiver of value and experience. In his career at Lubbock, Price totaled 161 catches, 1,751 yards and 12 total touchdowns.
12/18 – Ke'Shawn Williams, WR (prev. Wake Forest)
Williams was the third consecutive receiver to choose Indiana out of the portal on Monday and the second such slot target, hauling in 107 receptions for 1,385 yards and six total touchdowns during his time at Wake Forest.
12/19 – Mikail Kamara, EDGE (prev. James Madison)
Kamara is a highly productive edge rusher who follows Curt Cignetti and company to Bloomington. Just a season ago, Kamara totaled 17.5 TFL and 6.5 sacks on his way to a Second-Team All-Sun Belt defensive selection.
12/20 – Ty Son Lawton, RB (prev. James Madison)
Indiana earned a surprise commitment from James Madison running back Ty Son Lawton on Wednesday morning. Lawton rushed for 568 yards and five touchdowns last year in Harrisonburg, and will be entering his seventh season of college football this upcoming fall in Bloomington.
12/20 – Mark Langston, LS (prev. Georgia Southern)
Indiana added former Sun Belt long snapper Mark Langston from Georgia Southern on Wednesday afternoon. Langston has two years of eligibility remaining, with over 200 game snaps and 22 starts under his belt.
12/22 — Derek McCormick, K (prev. UL Monroe)
McCormick spent last season with the Warhawks, converting on 10-of-12 field goal attempts. With one miss from 20-29 and one from 30-39, he was a perfect 3-3 on kicks over 40 yards and made 16 of 17 PATs - his only miss being a block.
Also the kickoff specialist, 23 of his 37 kickoffs ended in touchbacks.
McCormick has one season of eligibility remaining.
12/24 — Kaelon Black, RB (prev. James Madison)
Black comes to Bloomington after his best season in Harrisonburg with James Madison. The Virginia Beach, Virginia native ran for 637 yards and a touchdown on 142 carries this past season with the Dukes. Perhaps where Black is the biggest threat on the football field is in the passing game. Black reeled in 27 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns receptions during his redshirt junior season with James Madison.
Black rejoins his former backfield partner Ty Son Lawton after Lawton transferred to Indiana earlier this week.
Black has two years of eligibility remaining.
12/24 — Zach Horton, TE (prev. James Madison)
This past season, Horton caught 27 passes for 275 yards and six touchdowns with James Madison including a 116-yard and two touchdown performance early in the season against South Alabama. Horton was also recently named a first-team All-Sun Belt honoree after his season with the Dukes.
Indiana didn't use its tight ends in the passing game all too often last season. Now with a proven pass catching weapon at the tight end spot, Horton could be in line for big numbers in a Hoosier uniform.
Horton has two years of eligibility remaining.
12/24 — Tyler Stephens, OL (prev. James Madison)
Since coming to James Madison back in 2020, Stephens has played in a number of spots along the offensive line. Throughout his career with the Dukes, the 6-foot-5, 306 pound offensive lineman has started games at both tackle spots as well as left guard.
This past season alone, Stephens made five starts at the left tackles spot and four starts at both the right tackles and left guard spots, excelling in every role he filled. Stephens was named to the second-team All-Sun Belt for his performance during the 2023 season.
Stephens has one year of eligibility remaining.
12/24 — Nick Kidwell, OL (prev. James Madison)
Kidwell just wrapped up his sixth season of college football this past season with the Dukes. The 6-foot-5, 316 pound tackle is as experienced as they come at the collegiate level, starting consistently for the past three seasons in Harrisonburg.
In 2021, Kidwell was named first-team All-CAA (FCS). In 2022, he was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection. During the 2023 season, Kidwell made just four starts before suffering a season-ending injury on Sep. 23. Kidwell will require a medical hardship waiver in order to play with the Hoosiers in the 2024 season.
Kidwell has one year of eligibility remaining.
12/24 — James Carpenter, DL (prev. James Madison)
Carpenter has loads of experience under his belt as well after spending the past five season with James Madison. During those five seasons, Carpenter was a starter in four of them, starting on the interior of the defensive line.
Carpenter recorded 53 tackles, four sacks and one interception during this 2023 season on his way to being named to the second-team All-Sun Belt. This past season marked the second consecutive season that Carpenter has been named to the second-team All-Sun Belt.
Carpenter has one year of eligibility remaining.
12/24 — Jailin Walker, LB (prev. James Madison)
Walker is one of two former James Madison linebackers to join Indiana following the Dukes' bowl loss to Air Force. Walker spent two seasons as a starter in Harrisonburg. This past season, the 6-foot-1, 191 pound linebacker tallied 61 total tackles, one and a half sacks and forced three fumbles. Walker is a speed guy, relying on his quickness to fly around the field.
Walker has one year of eligibility remaining.
12/24 — Aiden Fisher, LB (prev. James Madison)
Fisher joins Jailin Walker as the other James Madison linebacker to join Indiana after the Dukes' bowl loss to Air Force. Fisher found playing time hard to come by during his freshman season with James Madison in 2022. In 2023, he was given the chance to play, taking the opportunity and running with it. Fisher was named third-team All-Sun Belt this past season after leading the Dukes with 108 tackles.
Fisher has two years of eligibility remaining.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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