Indiana football began preparations for the 2026 season with a team workout on Tuesday.
Curt Cignetti’s program reloaded, bringing in the top transfer portal class according to On3’s rankings. The Hoosiers brought in 17 transfers and 20 freshmen.
Below is a position-by-position breakdown of the Hoosiers 2026 spring roster.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Returners: Jacob Bell (R-Fr), Maverick Geske (R-Fr), Grant Wilson (R-Sr), Tyler Cherry (R-Fr)
Transfer: Josh Hoover (R-Sr, TCU)
Freshmen: None
With 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza declaring for the NFL Draft, Indiana went to the portal to get his successor in Josh Hoover from TCU.
Hoover threw for 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns last year for the Horned Frogs. He is set to be the third different Week 1 quarterback at Indiana under Curt Cignetti.
Running Back:
Returners: Lee Beebe Jr. (Sr), Sean Cuono (R-Fr), Khobie Martin (R-So)
Transfer: Turbo Richard (Jr, Boston College)
Freshman: Jayreon Campbell (Powder Springs, Ga.)
Needing to replace the production of Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby, Indiana took Turbo Richard out of the portal.
He will join Lee Beebe Jr, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Indiana State game last season, as the two-headed back.
Khobie Martin should be in the mix again as the third back – similar to his role last season.
Wide Receiver
Returners: Charlie Becker (Jr), LeBron Bond (So), Davion Chandler (So), Myles Kendrick (R-Fr), Tyler Morris (R-Sr)
Transfers: Nick Marsh (Jr, Michigan State), Shazz Preston (R-Sr, Tulane)
Freshman: Kortez Rupert (East Saint Louis, Ill.)
Charlie Becker headlines the returners as the Hoosiers will get Tyler Morris back from injury after missing the entirety of the 2025 season with a knee injury suffered in spring practice.
Nick Marsh was the most sought-after portal target in the country and committed to Indiana in the second week of January. He is likely to play a big role in the offense’s success.
Tight End
Returners: Blake Thiry (R-Fr), Andrew Barker (R-Fr)
Transfer: Brock Schott (R-Fr, Miami [FL])
Freshmen: Parker Elmore (Columbus, Ind.), Trevor Gibbs (Crown Point, Ind.)
Cignetti said in an appearance on the Big Ten Network last week that Brock Schott will miss spring practice after undergoing labrum surgery. Schott is likely to be Indiana’s top tight end in an incredibly youthful room.
Offensive Line
Returners: Carter Smith (R-Sr), Drew Evans (R-Sr), Bray Lynch (R-Sr), Adedamola Ajani (R-So), Jack Greer (R-Sr), Austin Leibfried (R-So), Matt Marek (R-Fr), Baylor Wilkin (R-Fr)
Transfer: Joe Brunner (R-Sr, Wisconsin)
Freshmen: CJ Scifres (Bargersville, Ind.), Ben Novak (Crown Point, Ind.), Sam Simpson (River Falls, Wis.)
Four starters return for the 2026 season, with Bray Lynch likely transitioning to center with the graduation of Pat Coogan.
Among the top offensive lineman grabs in the portal, Brunner brings in a wealth of experience to an already veteran line.
Bob Bostad’s group – on paper – looks to return as a top line in the nation.
DEFENSE
Defensive End
Returner: Tyrone Burrus Jr. (R-Fr)
Transfers: Josh Burnham (R-Sr, Notre Dame), Chiddi Obiazor (R-Jr, Kansas State)
Freshman: Ronelle Johnson (Blue Springs, Mo.)
The Hoosiers reloaded its strong-side defensive end room before it could even be bare, bringing in top talent with Joshua Burnham and Chiddi Obiazor.
Mikail Kamara left big shoes to fill after two productive years, but the transfer class has the potential to pick up right where the future NFL draft pick left off.
Interior Defensive Line
Returners: Tyrique Tucker (R-Sr), Jhrevious Hall (R-Fr), Mario Landino (Jr), Kyler Garcia (R-Fr)
Transfer: Joe Hjelle (R-Sr, Tulsa)
Freshmen: Gabe Hill (Naperville, Ill.), Blake Smythe (Trafalgar, Ind.), Came McHaney (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Tyrique Tucker’s decision to return for his final season immediately boosted the interior defensive line. Mario Landino broke out in a big way during the playoffs, so his return will be big for the pass rush.
Joe Hjelle totaled 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks, bolstering the Hoosiers’ run defense in the interior of the line.
STUD
Returners: Daniel Ndukwe (Jr), Quentin Clark (R-So)
Transfer: Tobi Osunsanmi (R-Sr, Kansas State)
Freshman: KeVontay Hugan (Sarasota, Fla.)
The injury to Stephen Daley allowed Daniel Ndukwe to break out in the playoffs, solidifying his role for his junior season.
Daley, Kamara, and Kellen Wyatt’s departures leave a big hole in the Indiana pass rush, but the addition of Tobi Osunsanmi from K-State fills the void. He might not be a starter, but his contributions could be a huge piece to the puzzle on defense and special teams.
Linebacker
Returners: Rolijah Hardy (Jr), Isaiah Jones (R-Sr), Amari Kamara (R-Fr), P.J. Nelson (R-Fr), Kaiden Turner (R-Sr), Jeff Utzinger (R-Sr)
Transfers: None
Freshmen: Jacob Savage (Union, Ky.), Henry Ohlinger (Columbus, Ohio), Ja’Dyn Williams (Massillon, Ohio)
Aiden Fisher’s declaration for the NFL draft leaves a gaping hole in Bryant Haines’ defense. The green dot will likely become Isaiah Jones’ role, giving the redshirt senior the coach-to-player communication as the captain of the defense.
One of college football’s most underrated linebackers, Rolijah Hardy, returns for his junior season, poised for a breakout in his new role.
Kaiden Turner will assume the role of the third linebacker, a good fit in Haines’ three-linebacker system.
Cornerback
Returners: Jamari Sharpe (R-Sr), Ryland Gandy (R-Sr), Jaylen Bell (So), Seaonta Stewart, Zacharey Smith
Transfers: A.J. Harris (Sr, Penn State), Carson Williams (R-So, Montana State)
Freshman: Kasmir Hicks (Camby, Ind.)
D’Angelo Ponds departed for the NFL draft, so Indiana is left searching for a replacement for the All-American.
With a championship-sealing interception to his name, Jamari Sharpe returns for his final season with a slew of returners in the Indiana corners room.
An honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2025, A.J. Harris finished the 2025 season with 33 tackles, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery for the Nittany Lions. Williams should also play an important role next season.
Safety
Returners: Amare Ferrell (Sr), Byron Baldwin Jr. (So), Anthony Chung (R-Jr), Garrett Reese (R-Fr)
Transfers: Jiquan Sanks (Jr, Cincinnati), Preston Zachman (Gr, Wisconsin)
Freshmen: D’Montae Tims (Tampa, Fla.), Jamar Owens (Jonesboro, Ga.)
Amare Ferrell’s return makes the losses of Louis Moore and Devan Boykin more palatable. Byron Baldwin Jr. will be expected to make a big jump in his sophomore season.
Additions Jiquan Sanks and Preston Zachman give the Hoosiers much-needed depth after spending last season thin at safety.
D’Montae Tims could make noise in spring camp. The freshman flipped to Indiana in November after being committed to Colorado.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Returners: Nico Radicic (K), Quinn Warren (K/P)
Transfers: Drew Clausen (LS, Iowa State), Bily Gowers (P, Hawaii)
Freshman: Jackson Tolle (LS, Fishers, Ind.)
Mitch McCarthy, Mark Langston and Brendan Franke are out of eligibility, so the Hoosiers had to go digging in the portal for a pair of specialists.
Radicic has been nails for the Hoosiers the past two seasons, making 18-of-19 kicks last season. Kickoff specialist Quinn Warren is likely to assume the duties he had when Franke was injured in the back half of the season.
Thirty years old in June, Billy Gowers enters his sophomore season after spending a year with Hawaii. The Aussie saw 25 of his 49 punts land inside the 20 last season with the Rainbow Warriors.
Indiana’s spring game at Memorial Stadium will take place on the evening of Thursday, April 23rd.
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