Former Hoosiers: How Indiana Transfers Fared in 2025
As the college football landscape continues to shift with the ever-active transfer portal, Indiana was no exception heading into the 2025 season. The Hoosiers saw a wave of players exit the program last offseason - a reality that’s become as common as kickoff on Saturdays. But while those departures made headlines in Bloomington, the results at their new homes were a mixed bag.
What’s particularly striking is that none of the former Hoosiers who left found the kind of team success that Indiana achieved this year under Curt Cignetti. Let’s take a closer look at how some of those familiar names fared in their new digs.
Donaven McCulley, WR - Michigan
McCulley’s time at Indiana ended on a rocky note, but the talented wideout found solid footing in Ann Arbor. Transferring to Big Ten rival Michigan, McCulley carved out a meaningful role in the Wolverines’ passing attack.
He finished second on the team in receiving yards, hauling in 35 catches for 534 yards and three touchdowns. It wasn’t a breakout season by national standards, but it was a steady, productive campaign - the kind that suggests he’s found his footing.
He’s expected to suit up for Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, giving him one more chance to shine this year.
Tayven Jackson, QB - UCF
Jackson made the move to UCF with hopes of taking the reins as a starting quarterback - and he did just that. But the results were underwhelming.
He averaged 195.5 passing yards per game, ranking 12th in the Big 12, and posted a 10-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He added 85 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, and even caught a touchdown pass on a trick play.
Still, UCF struggled to a 5-7 finish, going just 2-7 in conference play. For Jackson, it was a season of growing pains more than a leap forward.
Brody Foley, TE - Tulsa
Foley didn’t register a single catch during his two seasons at Indiana, but he broke out in a big way at Tulsa. The junior tight end became the Golden Hurricane’s top receiving threat, racking up 37 receptions for 528 yards and seven touchdowns.
His efforts earned him First Team All-AAC honors - a remarkable turnaround and a reminder of how the right system can unlock a player’s potential. Foley’s emergence was one of the more impressive stories among IU’s outbound transfers.
Jamier Johnson, CB - UCLA
Johnson was one of the more experienced defenders to leave Indiana, having started most of the 2024 season at corner. But after transferring to UCLA, he didn’t see the field at all in 2025. Whether due to injury, depth chart battles, or other factors, it was a quiet year for the redshirt senior in Westwood.
Other Notable Transfers
- Elijah Green, RB - Sam Houston State Green became a steady contributor, rushing 58 times for 391 yards and two scores across eight games. He also added 15 catches for 133 yards and a receiving touchdown.
- Sam West, TE - Mississippi State West saw limited action but made the most of it, catching four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.
- Race Stewart, DL - Western Michigan A rotational piece on the Broncos’ defensive line, Stewart logged 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and half a sack.
- Marcus Burris Jr., DL - Memphis Appeared in five games but didn’t register any stats.
- Nahji Logan, LB - Nevada Played in four games, finishing with eight tackles, one TFL, and a sack.
- DJ Warnell Jr., S - Nevada The safety totaled 16 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry.
- Joshua Rudolph, LB - UTEP Before a season-ending injury, Rudolph posted 18 tackles, one TFL, and half a sack in three games.
- JoJo Johnson, CB - Bowling Green Johnson became a playmaker in the MAC, recording 22 tackles, one interception, and an impressive 13 pass breakups.
- Venson Sneed Jr., EDGE - Western Kentucky Finished with 15 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, and two pass breakups.
- Robby Harrison, DL - Western Kentucky Contributed 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and a quarterback hurry.
- Tyrik McDaniel, S - Citadel A tackling machine, McDaniel racked up 80 stops - second-most on the team - along with 3.5 TFLs and an interception.
- Vincent Fiacable, OL - FAU Anchored the Owls’ offensive line, starting all 12 games at center and earning a top-50 PFF grade among FBS centers.
- Austin Barrett, OL - Iowa State Saw action in 10 games but didn’t crack the starting lineup.
- Brody Kosin, TE - Miami (Ohio) Played in two games but did not record any statistics.
- Josh Philostin, CB - Rhode Island Did not play during the 2025 season.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to look at the transfer portal as a revolving door of talent, but the reality is more nuanced. Some players, like Brody Foley and Donaven McCulley, found new opportunities and made the most of them. Others struggled to find playing time or saw limited production in unfamiliar systems.
But the bigger picture here? Despite the talent that walked out the door, Indiana managed to take a significant step forward under Curt Cignetti in 2025. And that says a lot about the direction of the program - and the culture being built in Bloomington.