Indiana Adds Three Defensive Playmakers from James Madison

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said that there were seven more signees who the Hoosiers were waiting on to finish their bowl game to announce. On Christmas Eve, a day after James Madison’s 31-21 Armed Forces Bowl loss to Air Force, those signees were announced. Three of them are coming on the defensive side of the ball.

Aiden Fisher, LB, 6’1”/227 pounds

Fisher was the Dukes leading tackler as a sophomore in 2023. He made 108 tackles including six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also added a blocked punt touchdown, an interception, seven pass breakups and five quarterback hurries. He is a playmaker and will have two years of eligibility remaining. Fisher earned Third-Team All-Sun Belt in 2023.

Jailin Walker, LB, 6’1” 218 pounds

Walker will play his senior season at IU after three very productive seasons with the Dukes. He was JMU’s second leading tackler and forms a nice duo with Fisher at a position of need for the Hoosiers. Walker made 61 tackles, 5.5 of which came for a loss and had 1.5 sacks. He forced three fumbles as well and as a sophomore picked off three passes. Walker earn All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention in 2023.

James Carpenter, DL, 6’2” 282 pounds

Carpenter is a defensive tackle who was the Dukes sixth leading tackler in 2023. He made 53 stops including nine for a loss and intercepted a pass. He also had four sacks and a forced fumble. Carpenter may be a little under sized to play nose tackle in the Big Ten, but he’s a productive player at a position of need and should be able to beef up more at IU. He was Second Team All-Sun Belt performer in 2023.