Seven IU Football players find their way on to preseason All-Conference teams

The start of the Curt Cignetti of IU Football is almost here. There is new excitement surrounding the program ahead of the season and preseason All-Conference teams are only adding to the hype.

Athlon Sports released their preseason All-Big Ten teams and several Hoosiers found themselves a part of it.

Of the seven players to make the list, five are transfers that Cignetti added from James Madison during the offseason.

The two returning Indiana players to make the list were wide receiver Donaven McCulley and punter James Evans who both found their way onto the third team.

McCulley’s return was one of the biggest stories of the offseason after his breakout season in 2023. He led Indiana’s receivers last season with 48 catches for 644 yards and six touchdowns.

Despite the hype around his return, Cignetti seemed disappointed with McCulley’s performance during the beginning of spring camp.

“I think Donaven (McCulley) needs to pick it up a little bit,” Cignetti said this Spring.

The 6-foot-5 receiver’s combination of size, speed, and his ability to win 50/50 balls consistently has been crucial for Indiana’s red zone offense.

Indiana punter James Evans also ended up on the third team after an extremely productive 2023 season. With the limited snaps he plays as a punter, Evans emphasized the importance of making an impact every time he sees the field.

“I think I was only on the field like seven snaps on Saturday but trying to do whatever you can to help the team win,” Evans said after his 2o23 week one performance. “It feels pretty good if you do make a good play and help the team.”

After his 2023 season, he was named to the All-Big Ten third-team by the conference media panel. Evans currently has three of the top-10 single-game punting averages (min. 3 punts) in IU Football history.

The transfer additions highlight the start of a new era of IU Football

© Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

The first transfer to make the list is offensive lineman Nick Kidwell who wound up on the third-team. Kidwell has started in 34 games of the 52 he appeared in with James Madison.

He was a Second-Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2022, but a season-ending injury in 2023 ended his season early after starting the first four games. Now back from injury, Kidwell figures to be an integral part of the offensive line.

The final four Hoosiers to make the list, all ended up on the fourth team. On the offensive side of the ball, two new weapons made it onto the list.

Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt earned his way onto the list after an exceptional 2023 season for James Madison. Sarratt caught 82 passes for 1,191 yards and scored nine touchdowns a season ago.

RELATED: ‘I just got to keep on working every day’: From Division II to Indiana football WR Elijah Sarratt has relied on his ‘work’ to get him here

The idea of playing in the same system stood out for Sarratt when he entered the transfer portal this offseason. His experience with the current staff has led to him taking on a leadership role for IU Football.

“[I] definitely got to pick up more of a leadership role this year,” Sarratt said during spring camp. “I had a lot of older guys that were showing me the way last year. Towards the end of the season I started speaking up more, but one of my focuses this year is trying to be more of a leader.”

The other Hoosier on the fourth-team offense is tight end Zach Horton. Horton is coming off of a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection where he had 27 catches for 275 yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns were the fifth most among tight ends.

With two years of eligibility, Horton could play a big role in the red zone for the Indiana offense moving forward.

Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara also was named to the fourth team.

Kamara proved to be a game-wrecker in the trenches for JMU last season. In 12 games, Kamara made 18.5 tackles for loss, had 7.5 sacks, and forced four fumbles.

The 6-foot-1 268-pound edge rusher has at least one tackle in every game he appeared in for JMU and a tackle for loss in 21 of 23 games. IU Football will need Kamara to play a big role on the defensive line.

The last Hoosiers on the fourth team is linebacker Aiden Fisher. The leading tackler for James Madison a season ago will ‘quarterback’ the Indiana defense.

“I think Bryant Haines sleeps a lot better at night with him,” Cignetti said of Fisher after the spring game. “He’s like a quarterback of the defense. Knows it inside out, really studies, really respected by his teammates too, helps get others lined up. So making progress, good football player.”

He recorded 108 total tackles for JMU in 2023 as a sophomore and will play the same role on Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines’ system. Fisher was a key contributor on the Dukes’ defense that allowed just 83.8 rushing yards per game.

Fisher showcased his abilities in the 2024 spring game, where he recorded 7.5 tackles in the game. With two years of eligibility left, Fisher will play a big role in jump-starting the Indiana defense under Cignetti.

With five of the players to make the list being transfers, it signals the start of something new for IU Football as Cignetti continues to rebuild the Indiana football program.

SEE ALSO: 2024 IU Football Position Preview — Quarterbacks

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