(This story will be continuously updated.)
With spring practices coming to an end, Ball State football must now turn its attention back to the transfer portal.
The 10-day spring transfer portal window opens Wednesday, April 16, and will remain open until Friday, April 25. Though some players around the country have already announced their intentions to transfer, they cannot officially enter the portal until Wednesday.
The Cardinals’ spring roster has 106 players, one over the roster limit of 105. With 12 more student-athletes (11 freshmen and a graduate transfer) set to join the team over the summer, Ball State finds itself in a difficult position where some players will have to leave to create necessary space.
Here are the latest transfer portal updates for Ball State football:
Ball State football transfer portal additions
Khristian Zachary, DT, Texas Southern/Alabama A&M
Ball State added to the trenches with a commitment from Texas Southern transfer defensive lineman Khristian Zachary. Zachary announced his commitment via X on May 16.
#chirp #chriprty #chirp #committed God’s Plan pic.twitter.com/ceDKRbiADd
Zachary played for Alabama A&M in 2024 before transferring to Texas Southern in the winter, but he re-entered the transfer portal in the spring window. He has also played for Western Kentucky and Liberty.
Koby Gross, TE, Florida A&M
Florida A&M transfer tight end Koby Gross has committed to Ball State, he announced via X on May 16.
LAST ONE BEST ONE#YEAR14 pic.twitter.com/kcEssHkruS
Gross began his career at Florida State and spent the last three seasons at FAMU. He enjoyed a breakout 2024 season with 24 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs. Gross was named second-team all-SWAC for his efforts.
DC Pippin, K, Southeast Missouri State
Ball State picked up a commitment from Southeast Missouri State transfer placekicker DC Pippin, who announced his commitment via X on May 14.
Excited to announce my commitment to Ball State University. Let’s work! pic.twitter.com/xmonCxLfrz
Pippin has been SEMO’s starting kicker for the last three seasons. In 2024, he was named a first-team FCS All-American by the Associated Press after leading the FCS with 26 made field goals.
Bradyn Fleharty, QB, Yale
Yale transfer QB Bradyn Fleharty announced his commitment to Ball State via X on May 10.
Next chapter @BallStateFB #AGTG pic.twitter.com/KknpN1JKob
Fleharty made one appearance for Yale as a true freshman. During his senior season at Hilliard Bradley High School in Hilliard, Ohio, Fleharty was named Conference and District Player of the Year, first-team all-state and was a Mr. Ohio Football nominee.
Otto Hess, OL, Boston College
Ball State has added another offensive lineman from the transfer portal. Boston College transfer Otto Hess committed to the Cardinals on May 9.
Proud to announce my commitment to Ball State for my 5th year of eligibility! #chirpchirp pic.twitter.com/zmlDCPQzuc
Hess has appeared in 29 games over the last three seasons for the Eagles, primarily on special teams. He maintains one season of eligibility.
Blake Scriber, OL, Morgan State
Morgan State offensive line transfer Blake Scriber has committed to Ball State, he announced May 2 via X.
Muncie, Indiana @Coach_ABarr @CoachKRJones @CoachBerry3211 pic.twitter.com/51BX2PDWsp
Scriber started five games as a true freshman at Morgan State last season. He maintains three years of eligibility.
Tate Hoover, TE/FB, Hutchinson CC
Ball State dipped back into the JUCO pool, picking up a commitment from Hutchinson Community College transfer tight end/fullback Tate Hoover. Hoover announced his commitment to Ball State via X on May 4.
HS CenterJC Walk-onFBS TE#JUCOPRODUCT @BlueDragonsFB @CoachLierz @CoachK_HutchFB @CoachDrewDallas pic.twitter.com/MIYeTnc1Pi
Hutchinson CC won the 2024 NJCAA National Championship, and Hoover was named first-team all-conference by the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference as a fullback. He profiles as a blocking tight end/h-back in Uremovich’s run-heavy offense, as he only caught three passes last season — though he did turn those three catches into 102 yards and a touchdown.
Joedrick Lewis, DB, Arkansas State/Southeast Missouri State
Defensive back Joedrick Lewis announced his commitment to Ball State on X on Saturday, May 3.
Let’s work @BallStateFB @DBCoachSmith @CoachU_BSU pic.twitter.com/xSZbzdbA2P
Lewis transferred to Arkansas State during the winter portal window but re-entered the portal during the spring window. He spent the last three seasons at Southeast Missouri State but missed the 2024 season due to injury. In 2023, he led SEMO with three interceptions. Lewis began his collegiate career at Trinity Valley CC in 2021.
Ameir Glenn, DL, Wake Forest
Ball State picked up its third transfer commitment on the defensive line from Wake Forest transfer Ameir Glenn. Glenn announced his commitment to Ball State on May 2 via X.
Let’s Work @BallStateFB pic.twitter.com/HQY0kBMLYe
Glenn did not see game action in his lone season at Purdue and will join Ball State with four years of eligibility remaining. He joins Purdue transfer Reese Hill and Dodge City CC transfer Spencer Vaka as Ball State’s defensive line pickups from the spring portal window.
Reese Hill, DL, Purdue
Ball State picked up another commitment from a Purdue transfer on April 30. Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Reese Hill has committed to the Cardinals, he announced via X.
#Committed pic.twitter.com/B5Dl6jqSw4
Hill played high school football for Greenfield-Central, where he served as a team captain as a senior. He is Ball State’s second commit from Purdue in the spring transfer window, joining WR Donovan Hamilton, and third overall, with RB Elijah Jackson joining in the winter transfer window. Hill will have four seasons of eligibility remaining.
Spencer Vaka, DL, Dodge City CC
Ball State picked up a commitment from defensive lineman Spencer Vaka, a transfer from Dodge City Community College.
COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/4lzzDTBiMA
Vaka had 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last season for Dodge City. He is Ball State’s second transfer pickup from Dodge City’s defense, joining linebacker Micah Wing, who joined the team during the winter portal window.
Donovan Hamilton, WR, Purdue
Ball State made an addition to its wide receiver corps with a commitment from Purdue transfer Donovan Hamilton.
Let’s work #Committed #LLM @CoachU_BSU @CoachShaqV pic.twitter.com/HLJyx9ksLr
Hamilton did not see the field in his lone season at Purdue and took a redshirt. He will have four years of eligibility remaining. Hamilton will join two former Hamilton Southeastern teammates at Ball State — running back Jalen Alexander and tight end Kameron Anthony.
Adam Saul, P, Washington
Washington graduate transfer punter Adam Saul has committed to Ball State. Saul announced his commitment on April 22 via his X account.
Grateful for the opportunity #committed #MACtion @nickfiacable24 @CoachU_BSU pic.twitter.com/4G7l0UdzTh
Saul did not see game action during his two seasons at Washington but played well at the JUCO level during the 2022 season at El Camino College. That year, Saul averaged 42.4 yards on 55 punts over 11 games and was named to the Southern California Football Association All-Central League second team. He began his career at Illinois State in 2020 but did not see game action in 2020 or 2021.
Ball State football transfer portal losses
Christian Abney, TE
Ball State tight end Christian Abney announced on his X account on April 24 that he had entered the transfer portal.
Thank you Ball State
Officially in the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility and a redshirt remaining. pic.twitter.com/4EH0MSfcm4
Abney operated as Ball State’s TE2 behind Tanner Koziol in 2024-25. He played quarterback in high school but converted to tight end when he got to Ball State and was primarily a blocking tight end. He finished the season with five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Abney will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
RJ Mukes III, WR
RJ Mukes III became the second Ball State wide receiver to enter the transfer portal. He announced that he had entered the portal via X on April 23.
Mukes redshirted in 2023 and made his FBS debut in Ball State’s final home game last season against Bowling Green. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Nick Munson, WR
Ball State wide receiver Nick Munson has entered the portal, he announced via X on Thursday.
Munson played all 12 games in 2024, mostly as a returner on special teams. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
DJ Williams, RB
DJ Williams is the second Ball State running back to enter the transfer portal. He announced that he was in the portal via X on Thursday.
Officially entering my Into the Transfer Portal
5’10 192
Running Back
4 Years of Eligibility Plus Redshirt Year
330-774-9994
djtheqb2005@gmail.com
Transcript and Film Upon Request pic.twitter.com/AzWPZPVEri
Williams signed with Ball State in December of 2023 but took a grayshirt to delay his enrollment until the Spring 2025 semester. Williams will have all four years of college eligibility at his next school.
Preston Ross, TE
Ball State tight end Preston Ross has entered the transfer portal. Ross announced his decision Thursday via X.
I’m entering the portal as a dual athlete looking for opportunities for football or basketball! Thank you Ball State and the coaching staff! God’s plan will prevail!
6’7 248lb TE
3.4 GPA
3 years of eligibility
Email: ross1116803@outlook.com
Phone: 317-250-3331 pic.twitter.com/YUIMkmOrh2
Ross joined Ball State in 2023 and took a redshirt. He suffered an injury in the preseason and never played a snap in 2024. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Kyran Montgomery, DT
Defensive tackle Kyran Montgomery has entered the transfer portal, he announced via X.
officially in the transfer portal 2 years left! #AGTG pic.twitter.com/WC6YCoqwfz
Montgomery was a four-star recruit out of high school who committed to Missouri but did not see game action in three seasons there. He joined Ball State ahead of the 2024 season but only appeared in three games. Montgomery was not listed on Ball State’s spring roster at any point in the offseason.
Hunter Liszka, K
Kicker Hunter Liszka, one of five Ball State players who was removed from the online roster on Thursday, announced via X that he has entered the portal.
Redshirt freshman kicker from Ball State.
I’m officially in the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility left. DMs are open. pic.twitter.com/wUQPEv73LD
Liszka did not see game action as a true freshman and will enter the portal as a redshirt freshman with four seasons of eligibility.
Five players removed from online roster
Five Ball State football players were removed from the team’s online roster on Thursday — quarterback Chase Harrison, tight end Max Sullivan, defensive linemen Dion Smith II and L’Cier Luter, and kicker Hunter Liszka.
None of the five players have announced a decision on social media, but as it stands currently, they will not be back with the team in 2025. All of the players who have announced their entries to the portal on social media have also been removed from the online roster.
Jackson Courville, K
Ball State kicker Jackson Courville has entered the transfer portal, he announced Thursday via X.
Officially in the Portal with 2 years of eligibility remaining.
Thank you Ball State pic.twitter.com/zlK3Sa4JbK
Courville has been the starting kicker for the Cardinals for the past two seasons. He earned the starting job as a true freshman in 2023 and went 15-for-21 on field goal attempts and 24-for-25 on extra points. He improved in 2024, going 11-for-13 on field goals and 30-for-31 on extra points. Courville has kicked game-winning field goals against Northern Illinois two years in a row. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Eli Freeman, OL
Ball State reserve offensive lineman Eli Freeman will enter the transfer portal. Freeman announced his decision via X on Wednesday.
I have entered my name into the transfer portal
6’4″ 292 / O-line
3.5 GPA (3x deans list)
3 Years Eligibility
Email: Freemsam003@hotmail.com
Phone 615-478-1892
(Transcript & more film upon request)@CSmithScout @JAngel_247 pic.twitter.com/VFtHJeM32B
Freeman spent two seasons at Ball State but did not see any game action. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Jordan Coleman, DB
Ball State defensive back Jordan Coleman has entered the transfer portal, he announced via X on Wednesday.
Coleman started all 12 games for the Cardinals as a redshirt sophomore last season, finishing with 41 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. He also played in all 12 games with two starts in 2023 when he logged 22 tackles and his lone career interception. Coleman enters the portal with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Rob Fogler, OL
Ball State offensive tackle Rob Fogler entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, he announced via X.
I am officially in the transfer portal! Thank you Ball State.
6’7 300
3.55 GPA (2x Deans list)
3 Years of Eligibility
Phone: (513) 882 4419
Email: rhfogler@gmail.com pic.twitter.com/beZIxSAwgO
Fogler spent two seasons at Ball State and did not see game action. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Ethan Evers, LB
Linebacker Ethan Evers became the fifth Ball State defender and seventh overall to enter the spring portal. Evers announced his intentions to enter the portal via X on Wednesday morning.
God’s timing is always right! Super grateful for my two years at BSU. I have entered my name in the transfer portal with three years of eligibility. DM’s are open to anyone looking for a LB.
6’0
235lbs/LB pic.twitter.com/04gQiKWhEX
Evers was an in-state product from Nappanee, Ind., who played his high school football at NorthWood High School. He did not see any game action in two seasons at Ball State and will enter the portal with three seasons of eligibility.
Elijah Davis, DB
Elijah Davis is the third Ball State defensive back who has announced his intent to enter the transfer portal. Davis announced the decision on Saturday via X.
I have entered my name in the transfer portal.
6’1” 195lb Saf, CB
1 Forced Fumble and 11 Total Tackles in first two college games
3.2 GPA
3 years of eligibility
10’4.5 Broad Jump 36.8 Vertical
Email: elid08555@gmail.com
Phone: 317-400-6127
(Film & Transcript posted soon) pic.twitter.com/Vz1OHkERc7
Davis took a redshirt in 2023 and appeared in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2024. He finished the season with 11 tackles and had a forced fumble against Central Michigan. Davis will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Blair Schonhorst, DB
Ball State defensive back Blair Schonhorst will enter the transfer portal. He announced his decision Tuesday via X.
I will be entering the 2025 transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility left.
6’ 185lbs DB
Highlights from this spring and last season: https://t.co/qFkqh0NHLo @CollegeFBPortal pic.twitter.com/ttfEFDDwBh
Schonhorst saw action in Ball State’s final two games in 2022 as a true freshman. He made eight appearances in 2023 before taking a redshirt for the 2024 season. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Dantu Gardner Jr., DE
Dantu Gardner Jr. has entered the transfer portal. The Ball State defensive end announced his decision via X on Tuesday.
Officially entering my name into the transfer portal
6’4 243
D-end/Olb
4 years of eligibility
3.4 gpa
317-445-1302
Dantugardner28@gmail.com
More film and transcript upon request. pic.twitter.com/mLy60FVETx
Gardner is a product of Lawrence North High School and committed to Ball State over an offer at Purdue. He took a redshirt and did not play in 2024. Gardner will have four seasons of eligibility remaining.
Yaser Al-Awadi, OL
Ball State offensive lineman Yaser Al-Awadi announced his intentions to enter the spring transfer portal via X on Tuesday.
Thank you Ball State
6’8” 315Lbs
Offensive tackle
2 Years of eligibility remaining pic.twitter.com/EfcNmwrBQF
Al-Awadi started his college career at Western Illinois where he did not see game action during his two seasons there. He joined Ball State as a redshirt sophomore ahead of the 2024 season but did not see game action for the Cardinals. Al-Awadi will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Jordan Davis, DB
Ball State defensive back Jordan Davis will enter the spring transfer portal, he announced via X on Tuesday.
Officially entered my name in the Transfer Portal !
6’3 200lbs
DB- SAF, $, CB
4 Years of Eligibility
*film will be posted soon or upon request pic.twitter.com/cimiCQh3lQ
Davis spent one season at Ball State as a redshirt freshman. He saw playing time in each of the Cardinals’ last four games in 2024, mostly on special teams. Davis enters the portal with four years of eligibility.
Christian Davis, RB
Running back Christian Davis became the first Ball State football player to announce his intentions to enter the transfer portal during the spring window. He announced his decision on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday.
I have entered my name into the transfer portal
5’11” 215 lb RB
3.2 GPA (2x Dean list)
3 years eligibility
Email: christian29090@gmail.com
Phone: 305-775-5920
(Transcript and more film available upon request) pic.twitter.com/G8JTJv3S1y
Davis joined Ball State as a freshman in 2023 but sustained a knee injury in fall camp, which forced him to take a redshirt for his first year. Last season, he rushed for 11 yards on 11 carries and had one catch for three yards while playing behind the likes of Braedon Sloan, Vaughn Pemberton, and TJ Horton.
With the additions of Qua Ashley and Elijah Jackson from the winter portal, as well as the returns of Horton and Jalen Alexander, Davis was seemingly the odd man out in the running back room. He enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@muncie.gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ball State football spring transfer portal tracker: Who’s in, who’s out for the Cardinals?
Reporting by Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
