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Five Indiana football players who could make way on 2024 NFL Draft radar

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Andre Carter (1) was a stand out during spring camp and could be a breakout name for Indiana football to get on the NFL Draft radar. (Andre Carter / Indiana Athletics

With the 2023 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a look at the 2024 Draft. While the Indiana football program’s streak of nine consecutive years with a draft pick ended, there is still some talent on the roster for this upcoming season.

The Hoosiers were one of seven power five programs to not have a single draft pick in the 2023 Draft. There were numerous players who signed as free agents, however.

With that, there are a few players who could boost their stock this upcoming season.

Here are five notable Indiana football players who could play their way on to the 2024 NFL radar.

WR Cam Camper

Camper was off to a terrific start last season before suffering a torn ACL, ending his season. But before then, Camper was one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten.

He finished 2022 with 46 catches for 569 yards in seven games. His biggest game was the season-opener against Illinois. He had 11 catches for 156 yards while defended by Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon was just selected No. 5 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

There is no denying the skillset is there for Camper. He beat defenders across the middle of the field, on short routes and on deep routes. What’s best about Camper is his ability to be a possession wide receiver and very reliable.

He could be limited by the injury and being 100% mentally over it. Also, the potential for the running back room to be heavily involved on the ground and in the passing game could be a factor.

Overall, Camper has clear NFL upside. Depending on how he’s utilized, he could be a big riser if he can build off of the seven games in 2022.

DE Andre Carter

Carter was not only a standout on the defense during spring practice, he was one of the best players on the field on either side of the ball. The Western Michigan transfer is looking to be the pass rusher that the Indiana football program was missing the last few years.

At 6-foot-5 and 273 pounds, Carter has now played every position on the defensive line this spring and he has the body to be disruptive at the next level.

IU head coach Tom Allen had high praise for the senior.

“He is the biggest, most physical one we’ve had here since I’ve been here. Very, very disruptive … Got to get him in elite shape. He is not there yet.”

Carter comes to Indiana after totaling 70 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Granted there is a different level of competition at times between the MAC and the Big Ten, those are eye popping numbers.

If Carter can even put up half of those numbers this season, his career should speak for itself.

WR DeQuece Carter

Carter is a 5-foot-11 quick wideout who could do wonders in the Indiana offense. With Indiana’s inexperienced quarterbacks, having quick passes to proven playmakers could be in store.

Carter had 56 catches for 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns last year at Fordham. There were five 100+ yard receiving games for him.

Walt Bell now has numerous potential playmakers on the roster for skill positions and Indiana needs to utilize them. Similarly to Jaylin Lucas, Carter is someone you want to get the ball quickly to and let him go.

At the moment, Indiana is lacking that significant receiver who can make plays after the catch. Carter fits that mold. While he has breakaway speed down the field, the priority should be short and quick routes to get him the ball.

If that’s the case, a big season could be in store for the transfer wideout.

LB Aaron Casey

Casey has spent a long time waiting for his opportunity. This year, he’ll finally get it. After playing behind Micah McFadden and alongside Cam Jones for his career, he’s now the leader of that linebacking core.

In 2022, Casey had 88 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He had double-digit tackles in four games and averaged eight tackles a game.

Indiana lost nine of its top 10 leading tacklers from a season ago. Aaron Casey is the lone returner.

Despite not overwhelming athleticism, the ability to play under a new defensive play caller with Matt Guerrieri could be extremely beneficial.

“He can process, too … Then he has athleticism to play in space and he’s got physicality to play in the box,” Guerrieri said. “So to me, if you can do those things at linebacker, you check all the boxes.”

Staying healthy has been something Casey has been able to do throughout his career. He’s played in at least 11 games in each season, outside of the covid year. Then, he played eight games.

With Casey as experienced as he is, and having a breakout year in 2022, a big 2023 could help him drastically.

WR Donaven McCulley

At 6-foot-5 and 200-pounds, McCulley is an ideal threat at the wide receiver position. This is now his second season at the wide receiver position after entering college as a quarterback.

Last year, McCulley had 16 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. He had at least one reception in nine of 12 games played.

Now, it’s about taking the next step. Something Tom Allen is expecting — and needs.

“You have no idea how good you can be,” Allen said to McCulley during spring practice.

“He (McCulley) made some more plays today. Every day he’s made plays, and so that’s what I expect,” Allen continued. “We’ve had some really good heart to hearts about it, and he knows where he wants to be and where I believe he can be. And just having continued growth at that position and learning and being able to just find a way to get open and make plays and then go score football.”

With McCulley’s size, he can be a true game changer inside of the 20. He has good speed and great athletic ability as well. If he can become a consistent threat from 20 to 20 and be a game changer in that aspect, he can jump up the NFL radar.

Other Indiana football players on the radar:

RB Josh Henderson

RB Christian Turner

LB Myles Jackson

LB/DE Lanell Carr

DB Jamier Johnson

SEE ALSO: Indiana football enters phase two of prep work as a critical summer approaches

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Indiana football set to add field-level premium seats in Memorial Stadium

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Indiana football is set to unveil field-level premium seating in Memorial Stadium this season for all home games. (Indiana Athletics)

The Indiana football program has unveiled a new experience at Memorial Stadium. Set to roll out this season, Indiana will provide premium suites for game-day experiences.

Memorial Stadium will have  eight field level suites on the stadium’s south end behind the end zone.

Each suite costs $20,000/season, which includes 16 tickets to each of IU’s home games. Pricing for a single-game suite is TBD.

Below is the full release from the Indiana football program.

Bloomington, Ind. – Hoosier Football fans now have the chance to enjoy a premium suite experience at Memorial Stadium from field level.

Beginning this fall, Memorial Stadium will feature eight field level suites on the stadium’s south end located immediately behind the end zone. Each suite includes spacious, sectional furniture seating; a mounted large screen television on the suite’s awning; a drink rail with seating facing the field; high barstool seats to provide additional seating space. Other special amenities include an all-you-can-eat hospitality buffet; domestic, craft beer, and wine options; a personal suite attendant; and a unique player vantage point from field level.

Each suite costs $20,000/season, which includes 16 tickets to each of IU’s home games beginning with the Sept. 2 opener against Ohio State. Pricing for a single-game suite is TBD.

The new premium suite experience is the result of a new partnership between IU Athletics and REVELXP. REVELXP partners with sports and entertainment brands across the U.S. to provide fans with an elevated experience on game days. To date, REVELXP has partnerships with nearly 100 collegiate and professional properties nationwide. Among its active partnerships are Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and the College Football Playoff.

“We continue to look for ways to enhance and expand the game-day experience alternatives for Hoosier football fans, so we are excited to offer this new premium seating opportunity beginning this fall,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “REVELXP has a proven track record of providing the highest level of service and experiences at a wide array of events, college football included.  I expect this to be a very enticing opportunity for our fanbase for not only this year, but for years to come.”

SEE ALSO: Indiana football opens 2023 season against Ohio State with primetime afternoon CBS time slot

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Indiana football opens 2023 season against Ohio State with primetime afternoon CBS time slot

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The Indiana football program will open the 2023 season at home against Ohio State at 3:30 pm on CBS on Sept. 2. (Indiana Athletics)

The Big Ten has announced game times and tv designations for the first three weekends of the 2023 season. That includes a prime afternoon time slot for the Indiana football program in its season opener.

On Saturday Sept. 2, Indiana will open the season at home against Ohio State at 3:30 pm on CBS.

This is the first year of the Big Ten’s new television contract which includes NBC and CBS tv designations.

Below is the full release from the Big Ten.

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced times and television networks on Wednesday (May 31) for the first three weekends of the 2023 season along with the time for the Indiana football homecoming game.

The conference office announced the following for the Hoosiers:

Saturday, Sept. 2 | Ohio State at Indiana | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
Friday, Sept. 8 | Indiana State at Indiana | 7pm or 8 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Saturday, Sept. 16 | Louisville vs. Indiana | Noon | Big Ten Network
Saturday, Oct. 21 | Rutgers at Indiana | Noon

The 2023 season marks the first season with new broadcast partners to distribute the conference’s television broadcasts. Games will be distributed to fans across broadcast, cable and direct-to-consumer platforms on CBS, FOX and NBC, along with the Big Ten Network and FS1. NBCUniversal’s direct-to-consumer platform, Peacock, will also carry Big Ten games for the first time.

All games televised on NBC will also be available for streaming on Peacock. Games exclusive to Peacock will only be available on that platform.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football enters phase two of prep work as a critical summer approaches

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Indiana Football: DeQuece Carter among highest rated returning WRs in Big Ten

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DeQuece Carter starts his Indiana football career as one of the top returning wide receivers in the Big Ten after transferring from Fordham. (DeQuece Carter / Fordham Athletics)

The Indiana football program landed one of the most productive wide receivers in the transfer portal this offseason. DeQuece Carter, transfer from Fordham, arrived in Bloomington this spring looking to make an immediate impact on the Indiana football program.

The 5-foot-11 Carter had 1,166 yards with 56 receptions and 13 touchdowns last year. He had five 100+ yard receiving games and averaged 20.8 yards per catch.

As a junior, Carter finished with 48 catches for 872 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a freshman, he was named a Freshman All-American after totaling 53 catches for 723 yards and five touchdowns.

Now, heading into the 2023 season, Carter is ranked among the highest wide receivers in the Big Ten.

According to Pro Football Focus, Carter is the fourth highest graded receiver who returns from last year. He has a rating of 80.8. The three wideouts in front of Carter include Dante Cephas of Penn State and then two Ohio State wide receivers at No. 1 and No. 2, Marvin Harrison and Emeka Egbuka respectively.

After a lack of explosive plays in 2022, the Hoosiers are looking for that with Carter this season.

“Super, super productive … that’s one of the things you go through. Let’s go find a guy who has been highly, highly productive maybe at a smaller level but he has a chip on his shoulder because he wants to prove he belongs with the big boys. And that’s what he brings,” IU head coach Tom Allen said after Carter’s signing. “… He knows how to get open and has tremendous ball skills to be able to make plays. He’s got that swagger, that confidence that when he steps on that field he’s going to make plays.”

Indiana looks to bounce back after a 4-8 season and Carter’s ability to make explosive plays is a reason for some offensive optimism.

Indiana football opens its 2023 season against Ohio State on Sept. 2 in Bloomington.

SEE ALSO: Storylines to follow for the Indiana football program following spring practice

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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