Indiana football announces 7 new transfer additions from James Madison

The Indiana football program received the addition of seven new signees over the weekend — all from the transfer portal.

Indiana announced the addition of Kaelon Black, Zach Horton, Nick Kidwell, Tyler Stephens, James Carpenter, Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker — all transfers from James Madison. The announced additions came following the bowl game for the Dukes.

That’s in addition to seven players — either through the transfer portal or that were originally JMU commits — that Indiana had already announced.

Indiana football announced the addition of 33 signees in the early signing period.

Below is a background of each of the newest additions.

Kaelon Black (RB • 5-10 • 210): Black was part of the explosive running back room for JMU. He has totaled1,869 all-purpose yards and 1,305 rushing yards in 27 career games (16 starts). He owns a 4.9 yard-per-carry average in his career. He also has five rushing touchdowns and six receiving touchdowns. Last season Black has 12 starts and totaled 637 yards on 142 carries with one touchdown. He had 24 catches for 254 yards and four touchdowns. H has one year of eligibility left.

Zach Horton (TE • 6-4 • 250): Horton has 23 career games and 11 starts in two seasons. He is coming off of a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection where he had 27 catches for 275 yards. He ranked fifth nationally in touchdown receptions among tight ends (5).  He has collected 39 receptions for 425 yards and eight touchdowns in his career.  He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Nick Kidwell (OL • 6-5 • 315): Kidwell is as experienced as they come — playing in 52 games with 34 starts in his career. He was a Second-Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2022. Kidwell had a season-ending injury in 2023 after starting the first four games. He has one year of eligibility remaining with the assumption he will receive his medical hardship waiver from the 2023 season.

Tyler Stephens (OL • 6-5 • 305): Stephens started all 12 games this season and has 36 appearances with 31 starts in his career. He has started at left tackle (12), left guard (13) and right tackle (6). Stephens was a Second-Team All-Sun Belt selection this past season. He appears to have two possible years of eligibility remaining.

James Carpenter (DL • 6-2 • 285): Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference pick (2022-23) in 40 career games and 37 starts. He’s totaled 141 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Carpenter had 53 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks and one forced fumble this season. One year of eligibility remaining.

Aiden Fisher (LB • 6-2 • 225): Third-team All-Sun Belt Conference player this season. He has 23 career games and 11 starts in two years. He has totaled 113 tackles, six tackles for loss 1.5 sacks, one interceptions and eight pass breakups in his career. This past season, Fisher had 108 tackles. He had four games with 10+ tackles and three other performances with nine tackles. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Jailin Walker (LB • 6-1 • 220): Walker has played in 31 games with 20 starts in three years at JMU. He is a two-time honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference player with 142 career tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 13 pass breakups. He missed some time in 2023 with an injury but finished with 55 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and four pass breakups. Walker has one year of eligibility remaining.

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