Indiana Football: The five transfers who will make the biggest impact in 2024

Indiana football has yet to play a single game under new head coach Curt Cignetti. Despite that fact, there is already a noticeable shift in the energy surrounding the program.

Since taking over the program in December, Cignetti has focused on eliminating ‘complacency’ in the program.

“We have to get rid of this softness in order to stalk complacency,” he said this offseason.

A major part of that change has come from the roster. Cignetti and his staff have completely revamped the roster from last season’s 3-9 team.

While they retained some key pieces like wide receiver Donaven McCulley, they also added a lot of production in the transfer portal.

Here are the five transfers who will likely make a major impact on Indiana Football during the 2024 season.

Kurtis Rourke QB

It’s nearly impossible to talk about impact in football without mentioning the quarterback position.  The expected starter and Ohio transfer will touch the ball nearly every single snap the Indiana offense has next season.

The 2022 MAC Offensive Player of the Year’s play will likely determine the success of Indiana’s offense.

Rourke is a proven winner having led Ohio to a 16-6 record over the past two seasons as a starter.

Coming off of a significant knee injury in 2022, Rourke’s numbers dropped last season but he was still able to lead the Bobcats to an 8-3 record.

Now a year removed from the injury, Rourke has the chance to return to his 2022 form where he threw for 25 touchdowns and four interceptions while averaging 296.1 passing yards over 11 games.

Not only is Rourke a full year removed from injury, but he is also playing with the most talented receiving core he has ever had at the college level.

Related: ‘No spot is guaranteed’: Talented, deep Indiana football wide receiver room focusing on ‘details’ of spring practice

With only one year of eligibility remaining, Rourke will have to make an immediate impact for Indiana Football this season.

Elijah Sarratt WR

After mentioning the talented wide receiver group that Rourke will be throwing to, it would be wrong to not highlight Elijah Sarratt’s potential impact.

Sarratt quickly made the jump from Division II to James Madison and now to the Big Ten, and rightfully so. In his only season at the Division I level, Sarratt caught 82 passes for 1,191 receiving yards and scored nine total touchdowns in 13 games.

As one of the transfers that Cignetti brought with him from James Madison, he figures to make an immediate impact with Indiana Football. The 6-foot-2 receiver figures to be one of the leaders in the locker room due to his experience in Cignetti’s system.

“Definitely have to pick up more of a leadership role this year. I had a lot of older guys showing me the way last year. During the end of the season I started speaking up more,” Sarratt said this Spring. “But yeah, one of my focuses this year is trying to be more of a leader and get all of the guys on the same page.”

Sarratt finished the 2023 season strong as he had over 100 receiving yards in six of his final eight games and scored seven touchdowns over that stretch.

His combination of talent and experience should help him make an immediate impact in his first season with Indiana Football.

Trey Wedig OL

When former Wisconsin offensive lineman Trey Wedig entered the portal, one coach stood out amongst the rest. After playing for Indiana offensive line coach Bob Bostad at Wisconsin, Wedig wanted to come to Indiana to play for him once again.

“I was looking for an O-line coach who could help me get a lot better,” Wedig said to Pete DiPrimio. “Having Coach Bostad helped me make strides. He makes things very clear in what you need to do and how to get better. You’re not guessing, which is nice.”

The 6-foot-7, 317-pound offensive lineman played in 35 games for Wisconsin over the last three seasons. Having experience at both guard and tackle, Wedig figures to play an integral role in the trenches for Indiana football.

The offensive line has been a problem for the Hoosiers over the last few years. The struggles led to an inconsistent run game and forced the team to rely on quick passes.

It’s clear that Cignetti and his staff want to throw the football and attack downfield, so the play of the offensive line will be critical. With additions like Wedig and others, the hope is that Bostad’s unit will become a strength on the team.

Mikail Kamara EDGE

A lot of the focus this offseason has been made on the additions on the offensive side of the football, but Cignetti also reloaded on the other side of the football.

Former James Madison defensive lineman Mikail Kamara was one of the biggest additions Cignetti brought with him to Indiana and he figures to play a big role on defense.

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.

Pro Football Focus had Kamara as the eighth highest-rated returned edge rusher in the Big Ten after his 2023 performance.

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.

Kamara has shown his ability to wreck games for opposing offenses and he will look to continue that with Indiana Football.

Aiden Fisher LB

Aiden Fisher was one of the biggest additions Cignetti was able to bring with him from James Madison. The leading tackler for the Dukes 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.”

The 6-foot-1 232-pound linebacker showcased his abilities in the 2024 spring game, where he recorded 7.5 tackles in the game.

Fisher 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.

In a conference that historically wants to run the football, being able to stop the run is crucial and Fisher will be a critical piece in stopping the run.

With two years of eligibility remaining, Fisher will likely play an important role on the Indiana defense for as long as he’s in Bloomington.

Other names to watch for

D’Angelo Ponds CB

The freshman All-American burst onto the scene for James Madison after playing sparingly to start the season. His play turned a struggling pass defense into a strength for Cignetti’s team.

Last season Ponds made 51 tackles, had 13 pass breakups and two interceptions for JMU.

With the secondary looking like a potential weakness heading into the summer, adding Ponds was a massive boost for the Indiana defense as he should make an immediate impact this fall.

CJ West DL

The Kent State transfer was a 2023 All-MAC selection after a stellar season. West had 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks which led to him garnering a lot of interest in the transfer portal.

West chose Indiana over Michigan, Wisconsin, Rutgers, LSU, Florida State, and others.

His decision to play in Bloomington helps bolster the Indiana front seven who will play a critical role in Bryant Haines’ defense.

Kaelon Black RB

Indiana football flipped its entire running back room this offseason and additions like Kaelon Black are a reason why. The 2023 leading rusher for JMU showed his ability to impact the offense both as a runner and in the passing game.

Last season Black had 637 yards rushing yards with 4.5 yards per carry with one rushing touchdown. He also averaged 10.6 yards per catch, with 254 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Black will likely be the week one starter at RB for Indiana and his play during the spring game only reinforced that.

SEE ALSO: ‘Something’s got to give and it wasn’t going to be me’: Curt Cignetti has won at every stop. He doesn’t expect that to change with Indiana football

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