IU Finishes Strong in Transfer Portal
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Curt Cignetti’s plan to restore glory to Indiana’s football program included a final spring infusion of defensive talent, specifically the defensive line and the secondary.
Did the Hoosiers nail it?
All signs point that way, although nothing is guaranteed until the games begin, starting with the Aug. 31 season opener against Florida International at Memorial Stadium.
Defensive lineman CJ West out of Kent State and D’Angelo Ponds from James Madison highlight the latest promising group to follow what Cignetti and his coaching staff accomplished in the transfer portal last December.
Also signed in the spring were defensive back Cedarius Doss from Austin Peay, safety DJ Warnell Jr. from Arizona, defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker from James Madison, and linebacker Nahji Logan from the University of Massachusetts, plus James Madison running back Solomon Vanhorse.
Hoosier coaches had plenty of transfers to consider. 247Sports reported more than 1,200 players entered the transfer portal between April 16 and April 30. There were more than 3,800 total transfers.
“We had so many holes to fill,” Cignetti says. “In the spring, we took care of some defensive needs. We were able to bring in two defensive linemen, a linebacker, a corner, a safety and a rover, which we needed to do. We feel good about it.”
Consider the 6-2, 315-pound West, who was an offense-wrecking force last season for Kent State. One of the nation’s top available transfer defensive tackles (Michigan, Florida State, and Wisconsin were among the schools after him), he earned third-team All-Mid-American Conference honors last season. For his career the three-year starter totaled 110 tackles, 19.5 for loss, and 7.0 sacks over 36 games. He recorded sacks against Georgia and Texas A&M.
“He’s a really big person who has good initial quickness and is violent,” Cignetti says. “He made a lot of plays at the nose guard position. We were looking to get help there.
“We’ve got to get him in shape, and a little stronger. He has the potential to really help us.”
West figures to be part of a formidable defensive line duo with James Madison defensive lineman transfer James Carpenter, who had 141 tackles, 28, for loss, 11.5 sacks, and 65 quarterback pressures in five seasons with the Dukes.
In the secondary, Ponds has made the Lott IMPACT Trophy Preseason Watch List. The award goes to the defensive player that makes the biggest impact on and off the field.
Ponds earned freshman All-American honors last season for James Madison under Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines.
Ponds started 10 games and played in all 13. He broke up 13 passes and had two interceptions with 51 tackles and two sacks. His 15 passes defended ranked No. 11 in major college football.
“He had special qualities when he came in as a freshman,” Cignetti says. “In fall camp, there were some things in his game he had to clean up in terms of technique.
“Early in the season, we were struggling against the pass. We stuck him in as a starter in game 4 and put him in the boundary. When we did that, it was a shot in the arm for our entire defense.
“He’s a great competitor. Super intelligent. He can really move and play the ball in the air.
“He’s a big get, but he will have to earn it here. Nothing is given. Everything is earned. That’s the way it has to be. There has to be competition. I was thrilled when we were able to get him.”
Ponds joins a strong cornerback group that includes a mix of returning veterans and transfers.
“I feel good about it,” Cignetti says. “We have a lot of guys who have a chance to be really good players.”
There’s more than the team to be optimistic about. Program upgrades also include installing a new indoor field at the Mellencamp Pavilion and Memorial Stadium weight room improvements.
There’s more than the team to be optimistic about. Program upgrades also include installing a new indoor field at the Mellencamp Pavilion and Memorial Stadium weight room improvements.
“Those were things that were needed,” Cignetti says. “The field looks good. So does the weight room. Things are onward and upward. We are moving in the right direction.”
That includes the fan experience. IU is expanding Memorial Stadium’s premium suite opportunities. It is adding eight suites to the South Terrace on the stadium’s south end zone to the nine field level suites behind the south end zone that were installed last year.
Suites include spacious furniture seating, a mounted large-screen television and a drink rail with seating facing the field. New IU Athletics partner Levy Restaurants will provide the food and beverage. Levy provides hospitalities at some of the nation’s top sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.