From FCS walk-on to Big Ten leader James Carpenter knows ‘the job is not finished’ as he heads into final season with IU Football

Coming out of Roanoke Catholic High School in Virginia James Carpenter had almost no interest at the division one level. Curt Cignetti took a chance on the 6-foot-2 defensive lineman, but only offered him a walk-on spot on the James Madison roster. Carpenter has come a long way since then and now figures to be a key piece of the IU Football defense.

Most walk-ons rarely see the field at the division one level. Carpenter is not like most walk-ons as he found a role on the field during his redshirt freshman season.

“Being able to play for coach Cignetti is an honor. He gave me this opportunity,” Carpenter said during fall camp. “He was basically the only division one coach who took a chance on me so I’m forever grateful to him for that.”

Carpenter is an underdog in almost every sense of the word. After two seasons playing under Cignetti he shook the walk-on title and earned a scholarship.

Now five years after beginning his college career as a walk-on at the FCS level, Carpenter is now a leader on a Big Ten team.

“If you were to tell me that I’d be standing here five or six years ago. I would’ve told you you’re crazy,” Carpenter said. “It’s been an awesome journey so far. Something I’ll also remember and always take pride in being a walk-on. The job is not finished, you got one season left, one more ride with me. So, I’m going to make the most of it and just enjoy the time I have with these guys.”

Now in his sixth year, Carpenter will play a key role on the defensive line for Indiana. In the past, that role required him to play almost every snap, but with more talent around him, he expects that won’t be necessary.

Over the last two seasons, Carpenter started 24 games for James Madison and was named to the All-Sun Belt second-team both years. He totaled 104 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 7 pass breakups for the Dukes.

James Carpenter is one of many key pieces Indiana added from James Madison’s top-20 scoring defense

“It was a pretty easy transition. I’ve been with coach Cignetti for the past five years going on to six. So, you know [I’m] very comfortable with him,” Carpenter said about the transition to IU Football. “We have a lot of guys with motors. So, you know, for the most part, the transition was pretty easy. The system for us is basically the same so it was nothing too difficult, we’re just in an area that’s far away from home but other than that it’s been a good transition.”

READ: Jailin Walker is back from injury and ready to ‘fly around, make plays and enjoy it’ for Indiana football

While the system itself is very familiar for Carpenter and the other transfers that followed Cignetti from James Madison. This spring was the opposite for Carpenter who missed most of camp while he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

As a player who is not used to coming off of the field, his injury recovery forced him to take on a different role with IU Football.

“Being able to help these guys, that was kind of my job in the spring, I wasn’t playing but I was trying to help them the best I can with the little details,” Carpenter said.

“Whatever questions they got, hopefully, I have an answer for them and continue to build that relationship with these other guys and show them the way and what this defense is about.”

Carpenter has taken on more of a leadership role as he helps defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz install the same defense that helped James Madison dominate the Sun Belt.

IU football added five new players on the defensive line via the transfer portal and it’s given Carpenter a lot of confidence about the talent the group possesses.

“I think we’ve gelled very well, getting to know each other well, know each other better. All these guys can play different positions,” Carpenter said. “Coach [Pat] Kuntz is helping us out, getting us right. I feel like we’re going to be a good room and play a lot of bodies.”

Expectations for IU Football as a whole are mixed nationally. IU Football was picked to finish 17th of 18 teams in the Big Ten, yet there are still some who believe Cignetti and his staff can shock the nation.

Cignetti has emphasized the importance of not setting limitations for the program. He has instilled a belief in the players and Carpenter is a perfect example of that.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in it 100%. I have full belief in coach Cignetti and the staff and these guys. We’re going to go out there and we’re going to give it our all. Coach Cignetti doesn’t expect anything less so I fully believe it 100%.”

SEE ALSO: Despite not officially naming Kurtis Rourke as the starting QB for IU football — Curt Cignetti will ‘sleep better at night’ with him under center

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