Following its first College Football Playoff appearance in program history, Indiana football sent eight players to the NFL. While three former Hoosiers made rosters, five others were cut. Here is a look at the fate of these notable Indiana football alumni.
Made the roster
C.J. West: DT, San Francisco 49ers
West played a pivotal role on a defensive front that allowed opponents just 80.2 rushing yards per game in 2024 —the fewest in the nation. The interior defensive lineman posted 7.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble during his senior season. After starting 11 games in 2024, the 49ers selected West with the 113th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. West impressed during training camp with his power and strong hands, providing the 49ers with more depth on their interior defensive line.
Kurtis Rourke: QB, San Francisco 49ers
After starting four seasons at Ohio University, Rourke transferred to Indiana ahead of the 2024 season. In his fifth-year campaign with the Hoosiers, Rourke posted a completion percentage of 69.4% and 29 touchdown passes —both single-season program records —while guiding the Hoosiers to their first College Football Playoff appearance in school history. Following his success at Indiana, Rourke was selected with the 227th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the 49ers. Rourke is set to start the season on the non-football injury list as he continues to recover from a torn ACL he sustained at Indiana.
Myles Price: WR, Minnesota Vikings
In his first and only season with Indiana in 2024, Price showcased his explosive abilities. The wide receiver finished the season with 289 punt return yards—the fifth most in the nation. Price added 466 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns during his senior campaign. Following his success at Indiana, the Minnesota Vikings signed Price as an undrafted free agent. His explosiveness was on full display in preseason action, as he ran a kick return 81 yards against the New England Patriots on Aug. 16, helping him secure a roster spot with the Vikings.
Waived
Jailin Walker: LB
Despite being a key member of one of the top run defenses in the nation in 2024, Walker was waived July 22 by the Las Vegas Raiders prior to the start of training camp. The linebacker started all 13 games for the Hoosiers last season, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after collecting four tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble against Purdue on Nov. 11, 2024.
James Carpenter: DL
After starting his collegiate career as a walk on at James Madison University, Carpenter transferred to Indiana for his redshirt senior season in 2024. The two-time finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy started all 13 games for the Hoosiers on the defensive line last season, earning an All-Big Ten honorable mention. Carpenter signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent before being waived by the team Tuesday.
Ke’Shawn Williams: WR
Williams added a spark to the Hoosiers’ receiving game during his senior campaign in 2024. After racking up 448 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Williams earned an opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout the preseason, the Indiana alumnus flashed potential, securing a 26-yard touchdown pass against the Jaguars on Aug. 9, before being waived by the Steelers on Tuesday.
Trey Wedig: OL
In 2024, Wedig started all 13 games for the Hoosiers at right tackle as part of an offensive line that was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line unit in college football. Following his Indiana career, Wedig experienced limited action in the preseason after signing with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. The Rams officially waived Wedig prior to Tuesday’s deadline.
Zach Horton: TE
In his lone season with the Hoosiers after transferring from James Madison, Horton garnered an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2024. Horton totaled 189 receiving yards and four touchdowns across 13 starts at tight end for Indiana before signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. However, the former Hoosier was waived by the Lions on Tuesday.
NFL teams have until 12 p.m. Wednesday to claim these players off waivers. If a player clears waivers, they become a free agent and are eligible to sign with any team.
Follow reporters Conor Banks and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) throughout the Indiana football season.
