Former three-star tight end Sam West has decided to enter the transfer portal, leaving Indiana football with a reduced tight end room ahead of the spring game. West, who joined IU in the 2023 signing class from Greensburg Community High School, expressed gratitude for his time at Indiana and announced his departure with three years of eligibility remaining. He also provided depth at slot receiver this spring following a teammate's injury, playing in all 13 games last season primarily on special teams.
Indiana had brought in transfers Riley Nowakowski from Wisconsin and Holden Staes from Tennessee during the winter to bolster the tight end position after losing Zach Horton. Horton's departure left a void in the team after a productive season, with Nowakowski known for his blocking skills and Staes for his pass-catching abilities. The Hoosiers will need to adapt to the changes in their tight end lineup as they prepare for upcoming competitions.