2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 99 Days (James Carpenter)

Written by T.J. Inman

The Countdown to IUFB Kickoff marches on with one of the newest Hoosiers, number 99 James Carpenter.

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 284 pounds

Hometown: Roanoka, VA. (transfer from James Madison University)

Class/Position: Redshirt Senior/Defensive Line

The Indiana Hoosiers desperately needed help on the defensive line. New head coach Curt Cignetti and defensive line coach Pat Kuntz turned to a player had relied on for multiple seasons of high-quality play and convinced him to join them in Bloomington: James Carpenter. The former James Madison lineman is a two-time All-Sun Belt selection that started 37 times over 40 career games. Last season, he had 53 tackles including four sacks and in 2022 he had 5.5 sacks with 52 tackles. Carpenter is a high-motor player that is expected to start for IU on the line and he will be heavily involved in the rebuilt defensive front.

IU fans have not had a chance to see what James Carpenter can do just yet as he sat out the spring practice sessions while recovering from post-season surgery. He is expected to be ready for fall camp and will be leaned on by defensive coordinator Bryant Haines. Carpenter is perhaps a bit undersized to be an interior defensive lineman in the Big Ten but he is versatile enough to play inside or outside and his production speaks for itself. Carpenter’s path to the Big Ten was not an easy one: he did not have a single offer out of high school at Roanoke Catholic High School. Bryant Haines texted him that he could offer him a walk-on spot at Elon and Carpenter jumped at the chance. Curt Cignetti and Haines moved to James Madison and kept their promise to Carpenter and he has built himself into a force on the line. 

Former Appalachian State All-Sun Belt center Isaiah Helms commented on what makes Carpenter difficult to block in 2023, “He’s a big dude, he’s very athletic and he’s good with his hands. As an offensive lineman, when you’re dealing with somebody like that, it’s hard to keep in front of him. He’s a great athlete.”

Indiana is hoping Carpenter can be an anchor for the defensive line during the 2024 season.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!