Indiana football is in a tough spot. Sam West, a tight end who doubled as a slot receiver, has decided to leave the team. Recently, he announced that he would be entering the transfer portal. While the spring portal means that every team will undergo some significant changes in their lineup, this recent development has the potential to shake up Indiana’s lineup.
Sam West’s Departure Puts a Lot of Pressure on Curt Cignetti
West, the young star player from Greensburg, Indiana, shared his decision to leave on social media. “I want to thank everyone at Indiana for an incredible past two years,” he said. “I’ll always hold my time here in high regard and value the experiences and relationships I’ve built.” He’s got three years left to play elsewhere.
West joined Indiana in 2023 as a three-star recruit. That year, he played in two games as a freshman before redshirting. In 2024, he stepped up, appearing in all 13 games, mostly on special teams. He made his mark with a 37-yard catch during a 52-14 win over Charlotte on September 21. It was his first career reception.
This spring, West took on a more significant role. Indiana’s head coach, Curt Cignetti, had him practicing as a slot receiver. The team needed help there. They only had seven scholarship receivers available. Then, Michigan transfer Tyler Morris got hurt with a season-ending knee injury. That left just six healthy receivers. West’s work at receiver was a lifeline.
Now, his departure hurts. Indiana’s tight-end group is thinner. They’re down to five players for the fall: Holden Staes, Riley Nowakowski, James Bomba, Blake Thiry, and Andrew Barker. Staes, a transfer from Tennessee, is a strong pass catcher. Nowakowski, who came from Wisconsin, is a tough blocker. Bomba brings experience, while Thiry and Barker are freshmen with potential.
The tight end position was already a focus. Last season, Zach Horton, who followed Cignetti from James Madison, was a key player. He caught 21 passes for 189 yards and scored four touchdowns. His blocking was so good that other coaches noticed. Indiana brought in Staes and Nowakowski to fill Horton’s shoes. West’s exit makes that task harder.
Cignetti now has to rethink his strategy. The team’s spring game is soon, and the roster feels stretched. With only six healthy scholarship receivers and five tight ends, depth is a problem. West’s ability to play both roles made him valuable. Losing him means younger players or transfers will need to step up fast.
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Indiana’s coaches are used to challenges. Cignetti has built a tough team. But this tight-end tightrope is a tricky one. The fall season is coming, and the Hoosiers must balance their lineup carefully.
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