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Portal season is officially upon us, and that means it’s time for Ball State football to replenish its roster with new faces once again.
The college football transfer portal window officially opened on Friday, Jan. 2, and will remain open for two weeks until Jan. 16. The NCAA eliminated the spring transfer window this season, meaning this will be the only portal window this offseason.
Ball State is coming off a 4-8 season in Mike Uremovich’s first season as the head coach. The Cardinals were very active in the portal last offseason as they brought in 34 transfer players between the two windows, including players like defensive end Nathan Voorhis and running back Qua Ashley who wound up becoming key contributors very quickly.
So far, Ball State football has seen 22 of its players from the 2025 roster enter the transfer portal.
Here are the latest transfer portal updates for Ball State football.
Ball State football transfer portal additions
Carsen Burckhardt, LB, Valparaiso
Valparaiso linebacker Carsen Burckhardt will transfer to Ball State. He announced his commitment via X on Jan. 21.
Burckhardt did not see game action in his lone season at Valpo and will retain four years of eligibility at Ball State.
Cincear Lewis, LB, Cincinnati
Cincinnati transfer linebacker Cincear Lewis announced his commitment to Ball State on Jan. 17.
Lewis spent four seasons at Cincinnati. He appeared in one game in 2022 and earned his redshirt. He suffered a preseason injury before the 2023 season and missed the entire season and did not appear in a game in 2024. Lewis appeared in five games for the Bearcats in 2025 and recorded 10 tackles. He will have two or three years of eligibility.
Jabari Smith Jr., WR, FAU
Jabari Smith Jr. — a wide receiver transfer from Florida Atlantic — announced his commitment to Ball State on Jan. 17.
Smith spent three seasons at FAU. He did not see any game action in 2023 as he earned his redshirt. Smith earned more playing time over the next two years, catching 17 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 and 15 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Corey Thompson Jr., WR, Utah State
Ball State made an addition to its receiving corps with Utah State transfer Corey Thompson Jr. Thompson’s agency, Snag City Agency, announced his commitment to the Cardinals on X on Jan. 17.
Thompson spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at UNLV. He played in eight games with four starts as a true freshman in 2023 and caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. In 2024, he appeared in all 13 games and made three starts, finishing the season with four catches for 60 yards. Thompson spent the 2025 season with Utah State but did not appear in a game for the Aggies.
Diante Griffin, DB, Ohio State
Ohio State graduate transfer Diante Griffin will spend his final season at Ball State. The defensive back announced his commitment to the Cardinals via X on Jan. 16.
Griffin spent four years with the Buckeyes after being invited to the team as a walk-on in the summer of 2022 but never appeared in a game. As a graduate transfer, he will have one season of eligibility at Ball State.
Misael Sandoval, OL, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt transfer guard Misael Sandoval announced his commitment to Ball State via X on Jan. 12.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pound guard spent three seasons at Vanderbilt and mostly played on special teams. He appeared in all 13 games in 2024 and in five games in 2025. He will have two seasons of eligibility left.
Cedric Franklin II, CB, Arkansas State
Arkansas State transfer cornerback Cedric Franklin II has committed to Ball State. He announced his commitment on X on Monday, Jan. 12.
Franklin was a 3-star defensive back recruit out of Kell High School in Mableton, Georgia, in the 2024 recruiting class and initially signed with Georgia Tech, where he spent one season earning his redshirt. He transferred to Arkansas State ahead of the 2025 season and appeared in three games for the Red Wolves. Franklin will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Will Yates, CB, Ball State
Ball State cornerback Will Yates initially announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 1. On Sunday, Jan. 11, Yates posted on his Instagram story to announce that he would return to the Cardinals.
Yates earned a starting cornerback job as a true freshman in 2024, finishing the season with 17 tackles and an interception. He was a starting cornerback for the 2025 season and finished with 34 total tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception. Yates retains two years of eligibility.
Chris Jackson, CB, Colorado State
Colorado State transfer defensive back Chris Jackson announced his commitment to Ball State via X on Sunday, Jan. 11.
Jackson began his collegiate career at San Diego Mesa College, where he appeared in 18 games and made 14 tackles with one fumble recovery from 2022-23. He joined Colorado State in 2024 and saw action in two games while earning his redshirt. He finished with seven tackles in 2025 and will have one season of eligibility left.
Maverick Gracio, EDGE, Pitt
Pittsburgh EDGE transfer Maverick Gracio has committed to Ball State. He announced his commitment on X on Saturday, Jan. 10.
Gracio first joined Pitt in 2023 and earned his redshirt during the 2023 season. In 2024, Gracio played in four games and had a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown to help lift the Panthers to a 38-34 victory over archrival West Virginia. In 2025, he appeared in seven games and made four tackles, including one sack. Gracio will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Keldric Luster, QB, Texas State
Ball State has picked up another quarterback commitment from the transfer portal. Texas State transfer QB Keldric Luster has committed to the Cardinals, according to a report from 247Sports. Luster’s commitment has been reflected on his 247Sports player profile.
Luster was a 3-star quarterback coming out of McKinney High School in McKinney, Texas, in the 2023 recruiting class. He signed with SMU, where he appeared in two games as a true freshman in 2023 and five games as a redshirt freshman in 2024. He transferred to Texas State during the spring of 2025 and appeared in two games for the Bobcats last season. Luster joins Ball State as a redshirt junior with two seasons of eligibility remaining and should be in the mix to compete for the starting quarterback job.
Sterling “Stu” Smith, DB, Purdue
Ball State’s rebuild of its secondary began with a commitment from Purdue transfer defensive back Sterling “Stu” Smith.
Smith played high school football at nearby Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, where he was teammates with the sons of Ball State head coach Mike Uremovich and defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles. Smith began his college career at Holy Cross in 2023, where he racked up 36 total tackles and two pass breakups. In 2024, he transferred to Purdue as a preferred walk-on to be closer to home. He did not see the field in 2024 but played all 12 games in 2025, mostly on special teams. Smith will have two years of eligibility.
Jovan Clark, LB/DB, Washington State
Washington State transfer Jovan Clark announced his commitment to Ball State on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Clark hails from Chicago and played his high school football at Morgan Park High School. He enrolled early at Washington State but did not appear in a game while earning his redshirt. Clark will join Ball State with four years of eligibility remaining. Given his status as a hybrid linebacker/defensive back, Clark will most likely play the SNIPER position at Ball State.
Kaleb Stewart, LB, Coffeyville CC
Coffeyville Community College linebacker Kaleb Stewart announced that he had committed and signed with Ball State via X on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Stewart prepped at Chaminade High School in Broward County, Florida, and began his college career at UConn in 2024. He transferred to Coffeyville after one season with no playing time in Storrs and finished the 2025 season with 26 total tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery which he returned for a touchdown.
Austin Stief, DE, Davenport
Ball State picked up some EDGE help from the Division II level, picking up a commitment from Davenport transfer Austin Stief. He announced his commitment to the Cardinals via X on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Stief played high school football at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, Florida. He made an instant impact at Davenport, playing in eight games with nine tackles and 1.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2023. In 2024, he earned honorable mention all-GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) honors after logging 36 total tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks and three pass deflections. In 2025, Stief had 35 total tackles with 8.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks, as well as a pass deflection and a forced fumble.
Myles Hancock, DL, Riverside City College
Riverside City College defensive tackle Myles Hancock has committed to Ball State, according to X. Hancock posted that he had visited Ball State on Sunday, Nov. 30, and Riverside CC announced his signing to Ball State on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Hancock hails from Corona, California, and played his high school football at Centennial High School. He had 20 total tackles and one sack for Riverside CC last season.
Jacob Jeudy, OL, Concord
Ball State picked up another transfer commitment from Concord University as offensive lineman Jacob Jeudy announced his commitment to the Cardinals on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The news was first reported by 336Edits and confirmed by Jeudy via a repost.
Jeudy is 6-foot-4, 290 pounds and played his high school football at Miami Palmetto High School in Miami, Fla. He will reunite with Concord quarterback Tyler Mizzell, who announced his commitment to the Cardinals on Nov. 29. Both players earned second-team all-conference honors from the Mountain East Conference.
Cole Coonrod, TE, Hutchinson CC
For the second offseason in a row, Ball State will add a tight end from Hutchinson Community College. Cole Coonrod announced his commitment to Ball State on Wednesday, Dec. 3, via his X account.
Coonrod spent two seasons with Hutchinson and was a member of their 2024 NJCAA national championship winning team. In Muncie, he will reunite with Tate Hoover, another tight end who also transferred from Hutchinson to Ball State last offseason.
Tyler Mizzell, QB, Concord
Ball State did not take long to start picking up transfer commitments. Tyler Mizzell, a quarterback transfer from Concord University at the Division II level, announced his commitment to the Cardinals on Nov. 29, the same day as Ball State’s final game of the season. 336Edits posted the announcement to X, formerly known as Twitter, and it was reposted by Mizzell.
Mizzell threw for 2,889 yards with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season as a sophomore for Concord while adding 337 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He earned second-team all-conference honors from the Mountain East Conference and will join Ball State with two years of eligibility remaining.
Ball State football players leaving in transfer portal
Isaac Lucas, OL
Ball State offensive guard Isaac Lucas will enter the transfer portal. He announced the decision on Tuesday, Jan. 6, with a statement posted to X.
Lucas spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Purdue with minimal playing time before transferring to Ball State last offseason. He started nine games at right guard for the Cardinals but missed the final three games of the season with an injury. Lucas will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Ty Robinson, WR
Ball State receiver Ty Robinson will enter the transfer portal, per a report from @TheCFBNation posted to X on Monday, Jan. 5.
Robinson began his college career at Colorado and spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Boulder. He transferred to Ball State ahead of the 2023 season but suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of the year. His injury woes continued in 2024 when he missed three games after a dislocated shoulder on the first play of the season followed by a broken leg weeks later that cost him another season. Robinson earned a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA and will have one season of eligibility left.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, it was reported that Robinson had committed to Illinois, reuniting him with former Ball State head coach and Illinois offensive analyst Mike Neu.
Ashton Nawrocki, DE
On Friday, Jan. 2, Ball State defensive end Ashton Nawrocki announced on X that he had entered the transfer portal.
Nawrocki followed Mike Uremovich to Ball State from Butler, where he compiled 19 tackles, two sacks and three pass deflections over two seasons with the Bulldogs. He only appeared in the Cardinals’ first four games of the 2025 season and logged two tackles.
Michael Gravely Jr., DB
Ball State safety Michael Gravely Jr. announced that he would enter the transfer portal Friday, Jan. 2, via his X account.
Gravely’s college career began in 2021 at Michigan State, where he saw no playing time over two seasons. He transferred to the College of DuPage ahead of the 2023 season where he had 36 tackles as a redshirt sophomore. Gravely then transferred to Western Michigan where he appeared in six games of the 2024 season before joining Ball State in the 2025 offseason. He spent the 2025 season as Ball State’s starting safety, racking up 53 total tackles and an interception. As a graduate transfer, Gravely will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Eric McClain, DB
Ball State cornerback Eric McClain announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal via X on Thursday, Jan. 1.
McClain earned a starting job as a true freshman in 2024, finishing the season with 24 total tackles. He appeared in all 12 games in 2025, finishing with 28 total tackles and two interceptions. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Willizhuan Yates, DB
Ball State defensive back Willizhuan Yates will enter the transfer portal after two years in Muncie. He announced the decision on Thursday, Jan. 1, via his X account.
Yates earned a starting cornerback job as a true freshman in 2024, finishing the season with 17 tackles and an interception. He was a starting cornerback for the 2025 season and finished with 34 total tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception. Yates will have two years of eligibility.
Roman Pearson, DB
Ball State cornerback Roman Pearson will enter the transfer portal. He announced his decision on his X account on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Pearson joined Ball State in the transfer portal last offseason after two years at Bucknell. He emerged as a starting cornerback for the Cardinals and finished the year with 27 total tackles and one interception. He also did not allow any touchdowns. Pearson will have one season of eligibility remaining.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, Pearson announced his commitment to Kansas.
Trey Firestone, WR
Ball State receiver Trey Firestone announced via X on Tuesday, Dec. 30, that he would be entering the transfer portal.
Firestone joined Purdue as a preferred walk-on in 2022 and played five games for the Boilermakers in 2023 as a redshirt freshman. He transferred to Ball State ahead of the 2024 season in which he suffered a season-ending leg injury in the first game of the season and earned a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA. He will have two years of eligibility left.
Dahya Patel, WR
Ball State wide receiver Dahya Patel announced on X that he would enter the transfer portal on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Patel joined Ball State in 2022 and took a redshirt in his first season. He made four tackles on special teams in 2023, then had seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown in 2024. Last season, he had one catch, an 11-yard touchdown against UConn. Patel will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Russell Peterson, DB
Ball State defensive back Russell Peterson announced his plans to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday, Dec. 17, via X.
Peterson spent two seasons in Muncie and did not see any game action. He will have three years of eligibility.
Sam Feeney, LB
Ball State linebacker Sam Feeney announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal via X on Monday, Dec. 8.
Feeney signed with Ball State out of Bishop Chatard High School as part of the Cardinals’ 2024 signing class. As a true freshman in 2024, he had seven total tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked punt which he returned for a touchdown. Last season, he appeared in just four games and made seven tackles. Since he only played four games, Feeney maintained a redshirt and will enter the portal with three years of eligibility.
Jahmad Harmon, DB
Ball State defensive back Jahmad Harmon will enter the transfer portal. He announced the decision via X on Monday, Dec. 8.
Harmon began his career at Kent State in 2022 but transferred to Ball State after earning his redshirt. He appeared in seven games with two starts as a redshirt freshman in 2023 but did not play in 2024 after sustaining an injury in the preseason. Harmon had a breakout 2025 season with 28 total tackles and five passes defended. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Jalon Jones, DB
Ball State defensive back Jalon Jones announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal via X on Friday, Dec. 5.
Jones will be a graduate transfer with one season of eligibility remaining. He played sparingly in four years in Muncie and has 12 career solo tackles in 15 total appearances.
Dejuan Echoles Jr., OLB
Ball State edge rusher Dejuan Echoles Jr. will enter the transfer portal, he announced via X on Thursday, Dec. 4.
Echoles has spent the last four seasons in Muncie, redshirting in 2022 before playing sparingly in 2023 and 2024, missing the last eight games of the 2024 season with an injury. He broke out in 2025 with 26 total tackles, including five tackles-for-loss and three sacks. He also forced two fumbles. Echoles enters the portal with one season of eligibility remaining.
Ashton Whitner, DB
Ashton Whitner will enter the transfer portal after one season with Ball State. He announced his decision on X on Thursday, Dec. 4.
This will be Whitner’s fourth career transfer. He began his career in 2022 at Georgia Southern but transferred to Old Dominion after his redshirt season. He appeared in 19 games with three starts over two seasons at ODU before transferring to Ball State last offseason. Whitner compiled 41 tackles with three tackles-for-loss and one pass breakup this season and enters the portal with one season of eligibility.
Derek Fields Jr., DB
Ball State defensive back Derek Fields Jr. will enter the transfer portal, according to a post from his X account on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Fields first came to Ball State in 2023, redshirting his first season before compiling eight tackles in 2024, most of them on special teams. In 2025, he became a starter in the Cardinals’ secondary and finished the year with 24 total tackles and two pass breakups. Fields enters the portal with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Aidan Leffler, QB
Ball State quarterback Aidan Leffler announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal via X on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Leffler has been at Ball State since 2022 but seen very little action. He redshirted in 2022, played scout team quarterback in 2023, and saw action late in two games in the 2024 season. He also appeared in three games in 2025 but never with extended playing time. The former Roncalli star will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Walter Taylor, QB
Ball State quarterback Walter Taylor will enter the transfer portal, he announced via X on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Taylor saw very limited action in his lone season in Muncie. He started his career at Vanderbilt, redshirting in 2022 and appearing in five games in 2023 before transferring to Colorado ahead of the 2024 season. After seeing no playing time in his lone season in Boulder, Taylor transferred to Ball State last January and backed up Kiael Kelly in 2025. He will enter the portal with one remaining season of eligibility.
Caden Johnson, LB
Ball State linebacker Caden Johnson will enter the transfer portal, per Pete Nakos of On3. The move was first reported by Nakos on X and confirmed by Johnson via a repost on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Johnson has spent four seasons in Muncie and saw playing time in each of the last three years after redshirting in 2022. He logged 22 total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 2024 and entered the transfer portal last offseason before ultimately deciding to remain at Ball State. He finished the 2025 season with 34 total tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Johnson will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Darin Conley, DL
Ball State defensive lineman Darin Conley will enter the transfer portal. The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports on X on Monday, Dec. 1.
Conley first joined the Cardinals in 2023 and earned his redshirt that season. He came on strong down the stretch of the 2024 season and entered 2025 as one of the leaders of Ball State’s defense. He finished the 2025 season with 28 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks and was the fourth-highest graded interior pass rusher in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. Conley will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, Washington announced that Conley had signed with the Huskies.
Kameron Anthony, TE
Ball State tight end Kameron Anthony will enter the transfer portal after two years in Muncie, according to Steve Wiltfong of Rivals and confirmed by Anthony reposting Wiltfong’s report on X on Monday, Dec. 1.
Anthony joined Ball State as an in-state prospect out of Hamilton Southeastern but did not play in 2024 as he earned his redshirt. He hauled in seven receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 and enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
On Monday, Jan. 5, Rutgers announced that they had signed Anthony.
Qua Ashley, RB
Qua Ashley, Ball State’s starting running back for the 2025 season, will enter the transfer portal after one season in Muncie. Ashley’s decision was first reported by Chris Hummer of 247Sports via X on Monday, Dec. 1.
Ashley spent his first three seasons at Kennesaw State, where he earned all-conference honors from Conference USA as a kick returner and all-conference honorable mention honors at running back. In his lone season with Ball State, he rushed for 547 yards and four touchdowns and added 21 catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Ashley will have one season of eligibility left.
Eric Weatherly, WR
Ball State wide receiver Eric Weatherly will enter the transfer portal for his final season of college eligibility, according to The Portal Report on X and confirmed by Weatherly’s agent, Parker St. Pierre, on Monday, Dec. 1.
Weatherly began his career with a redshirt season at Duke before transferring to Bucknell, where he compiled 117 catches for 1,468 yards and 15 touchdowns over two seasons. He joined the Cardinals last offseason and finished the year with 29 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown. Weatherly has recorded a reception in every game over the last three seasons.
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: Tracking all 2026 transfer portal movement for Ball State football
Reporting by Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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