College football isn’t like it used to be. That is both on and off of the field. With NIL, the transfer portal and now a 12-team playoff, December is quite different than before. That started on Wednesday for Indiana football with national signing day.
While there is no game this weekend for Indiana, it doesn’t mean it’s a slow week — in fact, the complete opposite. IU welcomed 21 new players to its program on Wednesday — everyone that was expected to sign.
But, it’s now in full recruiting mode for Curt Cignetti and his staff as the portal has officially opened up.
“So the high school part of it really is the guys have been committed a while, right,” Cignetti said on Wednesday. “So the last few days we’ve been in the office it’s been more portal evaluation.”
Indiana is slated to lose a lot of its production from this season — on both sides of the ball. But, the production and success that both the coaches and players saw this season in year one has ‘opened doors’ for IU on the recruiting trail, but especially in the transfer portal.
“I think it’s a reflection of team success really, recruiting and development,” Cignetti said. “Guys want to be a part of a winning program. Obviously winning here opens doors in the recruiting process and will continue to open doors as long as we continue to be successful, which we plan on being obviously.”
Even though the portal is open and it’s full steam ahead on the recruiting trail, Indiana football is also getting prepared for a chance at winning a National Championship.
With two weeks off before its next game, IU is in a ‘juggling act’ when it comes to preparation for an unknown opponent, staying sharp but also fresh, and then recruiting for next year.
“Yeah, it’s a juggling act,” Cignetti said. “You know, the portal evaluation is taking up a good bit of time right now, and today’s practice in terms of the preparation for today’s practice, an hour, hour and a half. If you count the scripting, maybe two hours.
“Next week will be very similar to a game week. It might not be exact, but we’ll start preparation in earnest. We still have to balance the portal, the evaluation, and we’ll probably have official visits coming in during December as well.
“You know, preparation on the opponent, depending on who that is. Some of these teams we know already. Some of them we don’t. So next week won’t be quite like a game week, but it will be similar.”
Other teams have already been recruiting and also rebuilding rosters with numerous players already in the portal. For Indiana football, however, that’s not the case.
With its season still ongoing, it’s a bit of a give and take with Cignetti and his coaching staff and how they’re having initial conversations with potential returning players next year.
“We’re having conversations also,” Cignetti said. “I’ve had a couple of conversations with returners about next year, but not too many because I want our team to focus right now on — we’re in season, and the main thing has to be the main thing, right? You guys all know that today has to be a great day and a great meeting and all that stuff that we preach.”
But, you best believe that Cignetti and his staff know what to expect from their roster — and definitely from some potential additions this winter from the portal.
“Yeah,” Cignetti said smiling about his potential transfer class. “I do.”
Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.
Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.