Indiana Football: Key offensive players enter the transfer portal

Indiana football has lost three crucial offensive players via the transfer portal.

The future head coach for Indiana football has quite the project ahead of him. Bloomington is a tough place to win consistently. That job has become more complicated because three critical offensive players have formally entered the transfer portal. Brendan Sorsby, Donovan McCulley, and Trent Howland are headed for the portal.

These transfers sting because all three players were last season’s team starters.

Brendan Sorsby

Sorsby took the starting job from Tennessee transfer Tayven Jackson. McCulley began his career as a quarterback and has developed as a potential difference-maker at receiver. Howland led the running back by committee.

Sorsby began this season by splitting snaps with Jackson. Sorsby took the job after Jackson was injured. He was the spark the Indiana offense needed. The Texas native played in ten games, throwing for 1,587 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 286 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Donaven McCulley

There are going to be a lot of teams in line for McCulley. At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, McCulley, a converted quarterback, is still growing into and learning the position. Despite being new to the position, McCulley led the Hoosiers with 48 receptions, 644 yards, and six touchdowns. The Lawrence North High School product had a breakout performance against Illinois with 11 receptions, 137 yards, and two touchdowns.

Trent Howland

Like Sorsby and McCulley, Howland began to break out during the second half of the season. Though offensive coordinator Rod Carey used running back by committee, Howland led the committee.

Howland consistently earned more responsibility in the offense, including more carries. The Joliet, Illinois native led the Hoosiers in rushing yards (354). All three players would have likely started, no matter who the head coach is. The portal does not officially open until December 4th, so they do have the option to return, though it is unlikely.