Newcomer trio has Indiana football off to historic start

A big reason behind the Hoosiers’ impressive start has been the performance of multiple newcomers. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and defensive lineman Mikail Kamara all transferred to Indiana before this season, and all three were recognized by ESPN’s Eli Lederman and Max Olson in a recent midseason ranking of college football’s top 50 newcomers so far this year.

Rourke, in the No. 5 spot, was given the highest ranking of the three as he’s been playing at an elite level for the Hoosiers this year.

In six games for Indiana this season, the senior transfer from Ohio University has completed 73.8 percent of his passes for 1,752 yards (292 per contest), 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. According to ESPN, Rourke’s 91.9 QBR also leads all starting quarterbacks who play for a school in a Power Four conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC).

Sarratt received the next-highest ranking of the three Hoosiers with the No. 21 spot on the list. The junior receiver transferred from James Madison earlier this year and has adjusted well to playing against tougher competition. In six games for Indiana this season, Sarratt’s used his 6-foot-2, 209-pound frame to haul in 29 passes for 513 yards and two touchdowns.

Kamara, who also transferred from James Madison before this season, was the final Hoosier selected for these rankings, and he was given the No. 28 spot.

The junior defensive lineman has been a standout performer for Indiana’s defense this year with 20 tackles (eight for a loss), five sacks, and one forced fumble in six games. According to PFF, Kamara’s 26 pressures are the second most among all Big Ten defenders this season heading into Week 8, behind only Oregon’s Derrick Harmon.

While ESPN’s rankings only included players, an argument can be made that the biggest newcomer for the Hoosiers might actually be head coach Curt Cignetti.

After two successful seasons as the head coach for James Madison, Cignetti was hired by Indiana earlier this year, and he’s had a huge impact on the school’s football program in a short amount of time.
With matchups against No. 24 Michigan and No. 4 Ohio State left on their 2024 schedule, the Hoosiers still have plenty to prove this season if they want to be among the 12 teams selected to compete in the College Football Playoff.

But, regardless of how they finish, Cignetti and his trio of top-notch newcomers have already provided Indiana football fans with one of the most exciting seasons in the history of the program.