Indiana football pass rushing trio among top returning in Big Ten

One of the major priorities for Indiana football during the offseason and especially the spring transfer portal cycle was to add talent and depth to its defensive line. After losing a few key pieces from last season, it was a position of need.

Indiana’s main defensive line rotation last year was with Philip Blidi, Marcus Burris Jr, Patrick Lucas Jr and LeDarrius Cox. The only returning member of that group is Burris.

This offseason, however, Indiana added the likes of JMU transfers James Carpenter and Mikail Kamara and then a late spring addition with CJ West from Kent State.

All three enter this season as some of the top rated lineman according to Pro Football Focus. Carpenter and West were two of the top 10 returning tackles in the conference. West ranked second with a 85.9 rating while Carpenter was third and had a rating of 80.8. They were behind Mason Graham of Michigan who was first with a 90.0 rating.

Kamara was the eighth-best returning edge rusher with a 76.9 rating.

West’s addition to Indiana’s defense was a major addition, adding him to the duo of JMU transfers.

“A really big person that had good initial quickness, violent,” Cignetti said at IU’s fundraising event at Huber Winery. “He made a lot of plays at the nose guard position … He has the potential to really help us.”

In his last three years as a starter, he has appeared in 36 games and totaled 109 tackles. He also had with 18.5 tackles for a loss and 7.0 sacks.

Carpenter played in 40 career games at James Madison, recording 141 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

Kamara appeared in 17 games for James Madison across two seasons, totaling 67 tackles with 23 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

Adding to the pass rushing group for Indiana football are Lanell Carr Jr, Venson Sneed Jr and Jacob Mangum-Farrar.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football sees net-positive rating swing on massive transfer portal haul

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.