Hoosier Transfer Portal Needs: Defense

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

On Monday the NCAA Transfer Portal opens for college football players. The Indiana Hoosiers already have more than a dozen players entering the portal as of publishing. Indiana, like many teams, will need to fill some needs via the portal. Especially with Curt Cignetti taking over for the 2024 season. Here are IU’s biggest needs from the transfer portal on defense.

1. Defensive Line…The Whole Thing

The Hoosiers will be losing many of their impactful defensive linemen from 2023 to either graduation or the portal. Myles Jackson, Nick James, LeDarrius Cox and Patrick Lucas are all in the portal with Andre Carter graduating and moving on. Carter was second on the team with 11 tackles for loss.

The biggest need is in the middle of the defensive line, but IU could use more playmakers on the edge as well. Lanell Carr has eligibility left and was productive with 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.

2. Veteran Secondary Pieces

So far five of Indiana’s secondary players are in the portal including promising freshman Jordan Shaw and breakout safety Louis Moore. However, IU’s secondary was torched most of the year and the defense finished 12th in the Big Ten in passing yards allowed. IU will need to hit the portal hard for some veteran defensive backs to shore up the defense.

3. Veteran Linebackers

The heart and soul of Indiana’s defense, Aaron Casey, is graduating as is fellow starting linebacker Jacob Mangum-Farrar. Reserve linebacker Jared Casey is in the portal. The Hoosiers return speedy backer Joshua Rudolph should be back along with Kaiden Turner and Isaiah Jones. However, IU needs to add veteran depth to the position.

4. Pass Rushers

The Hoosiers finished 13th in the Big Ten in sacks with just 20 sacks. A lack of pressure and a lack of secure tackling led to too many huge plays that swung games and left a depleted secondary out to dry. Pass rushers are a premium in the portal, but IU needs to find a player or two who can get after the quarterback from the edge.

5. More Team Speed

As on offense the Hoosiers just need to get faster on defense. The difference in making game changing plays is a split second and IU just seemed to come up short every time.