About three weeks after withdrawing his name from the transfer portal, safety Jordan Grier re-entered the portal and signed with the Memphis Tigers yesterday. Grier appeared in all 12 games for the Hoosiers this past season with three starts. He had 34 total tackles, including two tackles for loss.
Head coach Curt Cignetti mentioned Indiana's need for more safety help, which makes Grier's transfer somewhat curious. The Hoosiers lost starting safety Louis Moore to Mississippi when the transfer portal opened earlier this month. Defensive back Phillip Dunnam entered the portal and has not signed with another team.
Indiana does have five safeties on the roster: Josh Sanguinetti, Bryson Bonds, Tyrik McDaniel, Amare Ferrell, and freshman Jah Jah Boyd are currently on Indiana's roster. However, none of them have significant starting experience.
The Hoosiers signed 17 players via the transfer portal, but none of them are defensive backs.
Grier is the 23rd player to enter the portal since Indiana fired former head coach Tom Allen. He is the fifth defensive back -- and second safety -- to enter the portal for the Hoosiers. In addition to Grier's commitment to Memphis, cornerback Jordan Shaw committed to Arizona, and James Monds committed to Middle Tennessee State.
Grier was one of five players who put their names in the transfer portal but withdrew. Four players have withdrawn their names from the portal and intend to return to Indiana. Defensive lineman Carl Biddings, running back Trent Howland, wide receiver Donaven McCulley, and offensive tackle Carter Smith all intend to return to Bloomington.
Indiana is not done recruiting or in the portal just yet. Players can sign until February out of high school and eligible players can transfer through spring practice. Cignetti is still looking for depth and talent in the secondary.