Where Indiana football trio lands in ESPN’s midseason newcomers list

When Indiana football dipped into the transfer portal this offseason in order to revamp and flip its roster, a lot of questions were raised about who the new coaching staff was targeting. From mid-major to non-power four programs, people from outside of the IU program were hesitant if these additions would be able to make the jump right away and compete at the level needed to win in the Big Ten.

Throughout the entire process, Curt Cignetti stood firm on his ‘blueprint’ and mantra which was production over potential.

“I’m into production over potential,” Cignetti said when he was hired.

“That’s what I look for in the portal,” Cignetti continued. “I look for guys that have a body of work, guys that have started, played the entire season without getting injured and have production — and multiple years of production is even better because I firmly believe this: Like there are some intangible qualities that it takes to be a starter and make it through a season. You’ve got to be able to handle adversity, success, have consistency in performance. There’s just some characteristics and traits.

“So I’d much rather have a guy that’s put it on the field and has statistical numbers than a guy that’s maybe second or third team at the No. 1 team in the country and has great potential but he was sitting behind two really good guys. I don’t buy that. Good players find a way to get on the field.”

What has it led to? A 6-0 start — and the best start since 1967 for Indiana football. Also, the conversations have begun surrounding IU as a legitimate threat to make the College Football Playoff.

So, where did some of the transfers land in ESPN’s midseason newcomers list?

Beginning at the top, IU quarterback Kurtis Rourke checked in at 5th — to no surprise. Rourke has been one of the best quarterbacks and players in the entire country this season.

After a very good career at Ohio, he’s now leading one of the most explosive offenses in college football in Bloomington.

“Indiana coach Curt Cignetti knew he was getting a proven contributor in Rourke, a sixth-year senior who started 33 games at Ohio and earned MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. The Hoosiers’ new head coach was extremely confident they’d put up points and win games in Year 1. He was right about a lot of things, particularly his QB pick,” Eli Lederman and Max Olson wrote. “Rourke is currently the Big Ten’s third-leading passer with 1,752 yards, 16 total touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. He ranks No. 1 among all Power 4 starters in QBR (91.9) and No. 3 in completion percentage (73.8%) and yards per attempt (11.0) while powering an offense that’s producing a whopping 47.5 points per game, second most in FBS.

“He’s going to get a much greater spotlight with tougher tests in the weeks ahead, but Rourke’s outstanding play has helped the 6-0 Hoosiers emerge as a legitimate threat in the Big Ten race.”

Following Rourke is one of his favorite connections — Elijah Sarratt. The James Madison transfer comes in at No. 21 on the list. Despite just two touchdowns, Sarratt has multiple receptions in every game this season and is averaging 17.7 yards per reception.

He is coming off of two-straight seven-reception games for at least 125 yards.

“Cignetti and his staff found Sarratt via the portal after a breakout freshman season at FCS Saint Francis, developed him into an All-Sun Belt wideout and managed to get him to join the Hoosiers,” Lederman and Olson wrote. “Moving up to face tougher competition yet again hasn’t slowed down the 6-foot-2, 209-pound wideout one bit. Sarratt ranks fourth in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game, turning 29 catches into 513 yards and two touchdowns with three 100-yard performances for the undefeated Hoosiers.”

The last Hoosier to make the list is Mikail Kamara at No. 28. Another JMU transfer, Kamara has been phenomenal for IU’s pass rush and is one of the top players at his position around the country — even slightly underrated. Kamara is tied for first in sacks (5.0) and third in tackles for losses (7.5) in the conference.

He even ranks tied for second in the entire country in QB pressures (26).

“The 6-foot-1, 265-pound edge defender came to James Madison as a zero-star recruit and developed into a difference-maker,” Lederman and Olson continued. “Now he’s a force in the Big Ten and tied for the conference lead in sacks (5). He has at least one TFL in five of his first six games at the Power 4 level. Kamara is one of five starters on Indiana’s defense — along with DL James Carpenter, LBs Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker and CB D’Angelo Ponds — who followed defensive coordinator Bryant Haines from JMU to help lead a top-15 scoring defense in Bloomington.

As for guys like Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker, it’s a bit surprising they aren’t on the list considering they are first and second for Indiana football in tackles this season.

Indiana takes the field on Saturday against Nebraska for Homecoming in front of a sellout crowd — another chance to showcase why this Indiana football team is one of the best in the country, thanks to its newcomers.

SEE ALSO: Watch — Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti joins The Pat McAfee Show

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