Four Indiana Football Players Transfer Following Rose Bowl Triumph

Bassyonni

Published: January 4, 2026 8:00 PM ET

Indiana football has gained significant attention following a triumphant win against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. As the team prepares for its upcoming Peach Bowl clash with Oregon, four players have decided to enter the transfer portal.

Four Indiana Football Players Transfer Following Rose Bowl Triumph

The players who entered the transfer portal include:

Amariyun Knighten – Redshirt junior defensive back
Andrew DePaepe – Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman
William DePaepe – Redshirt freshman defensive lineman
Mitch Verstegen – Redshirt freshman offensive lineman

Details on the Players

The transfer portal officially opened on Friday, offering players across the country a chance for a new beginning. This allows prospective colleges to connect with them during the recruitment process.

Here’s a brief overview of each player’s contributions at Indiana:

Amariyun Knighten: Joined Indiana after three seasons at Northern Illinois. He participated in two games this season, recording one tackle in a game against Indiana State.
Andrew DePaepe: Transferred from Michigan State but suffered an injury last season. He played in five games this season, achieving two tackles and a half tackle for loss.
William DePaepe: Andrew’s younger brother and a three-star recruit, he redshirted in 2024 and played in one game this season, notching one sack and one tackle for loss.
Mitch Verstegen: Also a three-star recruit, he didn’t see game action during his two years with the Hoosiers.

College Football Playoff Landscape

Currently, only four teams remain in the College Football Playoff: No. 1 Indiana, No. 5 Oregon, No. 6 Mississippi, and No. 10 Miami. As these teams prepare for their semifinal matchups, recruiting from the transfer portal becomes crucial for future rosters.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti stated that player retention has been a priority in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl. The coaching staff anticipates continued entries into the portal in the coming weeks. The deadline for players to enter the portal is January 16, with no set timeline for their new commitments.