Indiana has announced the signing of multiple transfers from James Madison on Sunday morning.
The new Christmas Eve additions include:
- Defensive lineman James Carpenter was named to the All-Sun Belt Second Team after he finished the season with 48 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, six QB hits, four pass breakups, two fumbles recovered and an interception. He has one year of eligibility left. Appeared in 40 career games with 37 starts over five seasons at James Madison (2019-23). Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference pick (2022-23). Totaled 141 career tackles, 28.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sack, two interceptions, two recovered fumbles and one forced fumble.
- Linebacker Jailin Walker also dealt with an injury but finished the season with 55 total tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks and 4.0 pass breakups and was named to the All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention list. He enters the portal with one year of eligibility. Appeared in 31 games with 20 starts over three seasons at James Madison (2021-23). Was a two-time honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference. He totaled 142 career tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, logged three interceptions, 13 pass breakups and forced three fumbles.
- Tight end Zach Horton contributed 266 yards receiving and six touchdowns for JMU. He earned a spot on the All-Sun Belt First Team Offense. The junior enters the transfer portal with 39 receptions, 425 yards and eight touchdowns for his career. He has played in 23 games with 11 starts.
- Linebacker Aiden Fisher: was named to the All-Sun Belt Third Team after leading the Dukes in total tackles (91) and an interception. Fisher had six tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, five QB hits and a blocked kick. He has two more years of eligibility. Appeared in 23 career games with 11 starts over two seasons at James Madison (2022-23). Garnered third-team All-Sun Belt as a sophomore. Owns 113 career tackles with 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, one interception, eight pass breakups and one blocked kick.
- Running back Kaelon Black was the other half of a JMU tandem. He played in all 12 games, making 11 starts at running back. Black had 131 carries for 594 rushing yards, a touchdown and averaged 4.5 per rush in 2023. He appeared in 27 career games with 16 starts over four seasons at James Madison (2020-23). Totaled 1,869 all-purpose yards, rushed for 1,305 yards on 263 carries with five rushing touchdowns, caught 44 passes for 486 yards and six receiving touchdowns, and returned three kickoffs for 78 yards.
- Offensive lineman Nick Kidwell will play a seventh season of college football. He was on the 2023 Outland Trophy preseason watch list before suffering a week four injury. He’s had a redshirt season, the COVID season, and will appear to need a medical waiver to play in 2024. Appeared in 52 games with 34 starts, with the last 34 appearances all being starts.
- Offensive lineman Tyler Stephens started all 12 games this season, switching between three different positions on the line for the Dukes. Appeared in 36 games with 31 starts. Starts have come at left tackle (12), left guard (13) and right tackle (6). Tabbed second team All-Sun Belt Conference as a senior.
In total, Curt Cignetti has now brought nine players with him from James Madision. Defensive end Mikail Kamara and running back Ty Son Lawton were previously announced.
For a complete look at IU football’s offseason roster activity, GO HERE:
IU Football: 2023 postseason transfer portal tracker and other roster activity
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
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