Indiana football 2026 portal tracker: Hoosiers see gains, losses in secondary

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BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football continues to add reinforcements for 2026 as the program remains hard at work on bringing home a national title to Bloomington.

The No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0) added a pair of commitments on defense Sunday — Tulsa defensive tackle Joe Hjelle and Montana State cornerback Carson Williams — along Hawaii punter Billy Gowers. They also lost a member of the secondary, Jah Jah Boyd, over the weekend.

Here are the latest updates on IU’s comings and goings:

More: The transfer portal is open. Breaking down Indiana football’s needs

Indiana football defensive back Jah Jah Boyd enters the portal in wake of Peach Bowl win (Jan. 11)

Indiana football redshirt freshman safety Jah Jah Boyd announced Sunday night he was entering the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.

As one of two teams competing in the national title game, IU players will get an extra five-day window to enter the transfer portal through Jan. 14. Boyd is only the fifth Hoosiers player to enter the portal since it officially opened on Jan. 2.

His bio had already been taken off Indiana football’s roster on the program’s official website

Boyd played in six games this season on defense (47 snaps) after redshirting as a freshman. The former three-star defender out of Philadelphia was a former JMU commit who followed coach Curt Cignetti and his staff to Bloomington.

Indiana football lands standout FCS corner out of portal (Jan. 11)

Indiana landed a commitment from Montana State cornerback Carson Williams on Sunday, Jan. 11. He’s less than a week removed from helping the Bobcats win the FCS national title in a thrilling 35-34 overtime win over Illinois State.

The defensive back is rare addition out of the portal outside the FBS for Cignetti’s staff.

Williams, who has three years of eligibility, was named to the FCS Football Central Freshman All-American Team. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 38 catches on 63 targets for 321 yards and had six pass breakups.

It was a position of need for IU with starting corner D’Angelo Ponds potentially leaving early for the NFL Draft and Amariyun Knighten entering the transfer portal.

Indiana football lands commitment from Hawaii punter Billy Gowers (Jan. 11)

Indiana football is turning from one Aussie punter to another.

With former UCF punter Mitch McCarthy out of eligibility, IU landed a commitment from Hawaii transfer Billy Gowers on Sunday, Jan. 11. Gowers averaged 46.2 yards per attempt as a freshman in 2025 and landed 25 of his 49 attempts inside the 20-yard line.

The former Australian Rules football player is 29-years old.

Indiana football adds commitment from Tulsa defensive lineman Joe Hjelle (Jan. 8)

Joe Hjelle has worked his way up the college football ladder going from a former JUCO standout at Iowa Western Community College to key rotational player at Tulsa to the Power Four level with his commitment on Jan. 8.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle played 300-plus snaps in each of his two seasons while putting up double-digit quarterback pressures and defensive stops (tackles that constitute a failure for the offense) during that stretch. In 2025, he he had 46 tackles (10 solo) with 4.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

He was an unranked prospect coming out of Decorah High School out of the 2022 signing class.

Indiana football welcomes tight end Brock Schott back home (Jan. 5)

Indiana football added a commitment from Miami tight end Brock Schott on Monday.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Schott, who was the No. 5 prospect out of Indiana in the 2025 signing class. The Leo High School alum, near Fort Wayne, had 31 scholarship offers, including one from coach Curt Cignetti and his staff. He redshirted for the Hurricanes after playing in just one game as a true freshman.

While Schott doesn’t have the type of experience Cignetti typically prioritizes out of the portal, he isn’t lacking the tools to become an elite player at the position as a 6-foot-4, 245-pounder capable of some pretty incredible athletic feats.

Miami coach Miami Cristobal told reporters that Schott, “looks like something out of the Predator movies.”

Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Chiddi Obiazor (8) during the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Indiana football doubles down on Kansas State pass rushers out of the portal (Jan. 5)

One day after landing a commitment from K-State’s Tobi Osunsanmi, the Hoosiers got one from his linemate Chiddi Obiazor. He was the No. 163 overall-ranked transfer at the time of his commitment and No. 18 edge rusher.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder led the Wildcats with 30 quarterback pressures as a sophomore in 2025.

At Kansas State, he added 30 pounds to his frame while increasing his speed and vertical jump. He ended up getting votes from Big 12 coaches as Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2024.

Indiana football gets transfer commitment out of South Bend for second straight season (Jan. 4)

Indiana got a commitment from Notre Dame defensive end Joshua Burnham on Sunday night, per his Instagram account.

Burnham was the seventh transfer IU got on Sunday and joined Kansas State edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi as the second commitment at defensive end. The Hoosiers’ three most experienced defensive ends — Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley, and Kellan Wyatt — will all exhaust their eligibility at the end of the season.

He played in 40 career games (15 starts) for Notre Dame over four seasons and has one year of eligibility remaining.

Burnham, who was a former top-100 recruit, had double-digit pressures each of the last two years and showed positional flexibility by rotating inside. His most productive season came during Notre Dame’s run to the CFP finals in 2024, when he started 10 games (467 snaps) and played 40-plus snaps in five games.

Oct 11, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles running back Turbo Richard (2) reacts to his touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Indiana football reels in Boston College running back Turbo Richard (Jan. 4)

Indiana landed a commitment from Boston College’s leading rusher Turbo Richard on Sunday night. Richard ran for 749 yards (5.2 per carry) with nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2025. He averaged 3.8 yards per carry after contact, forced 26 missed tackles, and had 15 runs of 10 yards or more, according to Pro Football Focus.

He also caught 30 passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Richard was the No. 9-ranked running back in the portal at the time of his commitment. He was a three-star recruit coming out of South Carolina in the 2024 signing class with 28 scholarship offers.

The addition of Richard gives IU depth at running back, as the room is graduating its leading rushers, Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. One of last year’s key transfers at the position, Lee Beebe Jr., is rehabbing his way back from injury, and redshirt freshman Khobie Martin has shown plenty of promise closing out blowout wins.

Martin rushed for 463 yards this season and six touchdowns.

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Jiquan Sanks (9) and Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Matthew McDoom (0) tackle BYU Cougars running back LJ Martin (4) in the second quarter of the NCAA football game at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Nov. 22, 2025.

Indiana football adds commitment from Cincinnati safety Jiquan Sanks (Jan. 4)

Sanks turned heads in Cincinnati as the program’s first true freshman to start a season opener since Marquise Copeland in 2015.

He’s hoping to do the same for the Hoosiers.

Sanks, who has two years of eligibility left, has played 24 career games (12 starts) as a versatile defender capable of lining up at any of IU’s safety positions. The Alabama native has 92 tackles (49 solo) with 3.5 tackles for a loss, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Indiana’s previous staff recruited Sanks and he visited campus as part of the 2024 signing class.

More: Why the architect of Indiana football’s defense was destined for this moment

TEMPE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Josh Hoover #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs drops back to pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Mountain America Stadium on September 26, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Horned Frogs 27-24. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) — TEMPE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Josh Hoover #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs drops back to pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Mountain America Stadium on September 26, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Horned Frogs 27-24. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Indiana football lands Fernando Mendoza’s potential successor (Jan. 4)

Indiana football landed a commitment from top-ranked TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover on Sunday night.

Hoover, a one-time IU commit during Tom Allen’s tenure, comes to Bloomington after a successful multi-year run as a starter for the Horned Frogs. He topped 3,000 yards and 25 passing touchdowns each of the last two seasons while helping lead the team to back-to-back nine-win seasons.

Mendoza hasn’t announced his future plans, but he’s widely expected to enter the NFL Draft as an expected top pick. He cleaned up during the college football award season — he won all the major national offensive awards and was named Big Ten Player of the Year — and became the first IU player to win the Heisman.

The Texas-native was the No. 35-ranked overall transfer at the time of his commitment and No. 9-ranked quarterback.

More: Why did Fernando Mendoza win the Heisman? These moments stand out.

Sep 12, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi (44) tackles Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) during the third quarter of the game at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Indiana football lands commitment from highly rated Kansas State defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi (Jan. 4)

Indiana made a splashy pickup on Sunday night by landing a commitment from versatile Kansas State defender Tobi Osunsanmi. He was the No. 28 overall-ranked transfer and No. 4-ranked edge rusher at the time of his commitment.

Osunsanmi was on his way to a career year with four sacks, six tackles for loss and 14 quarterback pressures in his team’s first six games before an undisclosed injury knocked him out for the rest of the season. He had 30 quarterback pressures on just 214 pass-rushing snaps in 2024.

It’s a big pickup at a position where IU is losing almost all of its experience with Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt all exhausting their eligibility.

More: Why Indiana football’s ‘heart and soul’ was perfect Rose Bowl MVP

Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) after defeating Maryland at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.

Indiana football snags commitment from one of country’s top ranked transfer receivers Nick Marsh (Jan. 4)

Indiana landed the No. 24-ranked overall transfer (No. 7 receiver) out of the portal by securing a commitment from Nick Marsh on Sunday. Marsh was MSU’s leading receiver each of the last two seasons with 100 catches for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns during that stretch.

Marsh was a former four-star recruit out of River Rouge High School in the 2024 signing class with 39 scholarship offers. The rising sophomore made an impression with receiving touchdowns in each game he played against the Hoosiers.

Indiana starting receivers Elijah Sarratt and E.J. Williams Jr. will be out of eligibility after this season. However, the offense could still feature one of the top receiving corps in the country next season with Marsh in the fold. The biggest question mark for IU will be whether or not Omar Cooper Jr. leaves early for the NFL.

If Cooper returns, the Hoosiers’ starting trio next year of Marsh, Cooper, and Charlie Becker would be a formidable one.

More: ‘Finer details’ behind Indiana football QB’s rise to superstar status

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Wisconsin Badgers safety Preston Zachman (14) intercepts a pass intended for Southern California Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Indiana football lands commitment from Wisconsin transfer safety Preston Zachman (Jan. 4)

Indiana landed a commitment from former Wisconsin starting safety Preson Zachman on Sunday afternoon. The seventh-year defender appeared in 35 games (20 starts) for the Badgers as a former member of the team’s 2020 signing class.

He got off to a strong start in 2025 with two interceptions over the team’s first three games, but suffered a leg injury in a Week 3 loss to Alabama that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Zachman’s most productive season came in 2024, when he recorded 58 tackles (39 solo), two interceptions, and four pass breakups.

Indiana will be losing three experienced players at safety after the season, with Louis Moore, Devan Boykin, and Byrson Bonds (a special teams standout) exhausting their eligibility.

More: How Indiana football will balance portal recruiting, prep for Peach Bowl

Indiana's Mitch Verstegen (63) at Indiana University football practice on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. — Indiana’s Mitch Verstegen (63) at Indiana University football practice on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.

Indiana reserve offensive lineman Mitch Verstegen enters transfer portal (Jan. 4)

Indiana football redshirt freshman Mitch Verstegen announced on social media he was entering the transfer portal on Saturday afternoon. Verstegen, who was a three-star signee in IU’s 2024 signing class out of Kaukauna High School in Wisconsin, didn’t appear in any games during his two years with the Hoosiers.

The Hoosiers have loaded up with at least three signees on the offensive line in each of the last three seasons.

More: How weekly dinners brought Indiana football’s Fernando Mendoza calm amid chaos

Indiana's Amariyun Knighten (23) at Indiana University football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. — Indiana’s Amariyun Knighten (23) at Indiana University football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Indiana football corner Amariyun Knighten entering portal (Jan. 3)

Former Northern Illinois corner Amariyun Knighten is entering the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining, according to 247 Sports. The veteran signed with the Hoosiers ahead of the 2025 season and appeared in two early-season games.

He made a memorable play in 2024 for NIU with an interception against Notre Dame that set up a game-winning field goal.

Indiana relied on a starting tandem at corner of D’Angelo Ponds and Jamari Sharpe throughout the season. Ryland Gandy was next man up when Ponds missed IU’s game against Iowa with a lower-body injury. Sharpe played the second-most snaps on the defense (707), and Ponds was right behind him (667).

Indiana's William Depaepe (98) at Indiana University football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. — Indiana’s William Depaepe (98) at Indiana University football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Pair of Indiana football defensive linemen enter transfer portal (Jan. 3)

Indiana defensive linemen William and Andrew DePaepe are entering the transfer portal, according to 247 Sports. The brothers arrived in Bloomington during the 2024 recruiting cycle, with William signing with the program out of Moline High School and Andrew transferring to IU from Michigan State.

Andrew played in four games this season and was credited with three quarterback pressures in a win over UCLA, while his brother’s lone appearance came in Week 3 against Indiana State. It wasn’t going to get any easier for them to crack the depth chart with IU signing five defensive linemen out of high school in 2025 and six in 2026.

Who has Indiana football added out of the transfer portal?

CB, Carson Williams, Montana State (Jan. 11)
P, Billy Gowers, Hawaii (Jan. 11)
DL Joe Hjelle, Tulsa (Jan. 8)
TE, Brock Schott, Miami (Jan. 5)
DE, Chiddi Obiazor, Kansas State (Jan. 5)
DE, Joshua Burnham, Notre Dame (Jan. 4)
RB Turbo Richard, Boston College (Jan. 4)
S Jiquan Sanks, Cincinnati (Jan. 4)
QB Josh Hoover, TCU (Jan. 4)
DE Tobi Osunsanmi, Kansas State (Jan. 4)
WR Nick Marsh, Michigan State (Jan. 4)
S Preston Zachman, Wisconsin (Jan. 4)

Who is in the transfer portal for Indiana football?

DB Jah Jah Boyd (Jan. 11)
OL Mitch Verstegen (Jan. 3)
CB Amariyun Knighten (Jan. 2)
DL William DePaepe (Jan. 2)
DL Andrew DePaepe (Jan. 2)

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football transfer portal tracker: Latest updates on roster moves

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