Ball State had a forgettable 2023 season made worse by its clear No. 1 player, Marquez Cooper, transferring out of the program. Now, Mike Neu and Company are going to have to figure out how to improve in 2024. The defense has been decimated, and there’s a big question mark at quarterback, but the receivers and offensive line provide some hope for the Cardinals.
Who are Ball State’s top returning players in 2024?
Ball State Cardinals Top Returning Players
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal era. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) Braedon Sloan, RB
Out with Cooper, in with Braedon Sloan at running back for Ball State. While he’s lacking in FBS experience, he was excellent at FCS Eastern Kentucky, especially as a receiver. Sloan has 87 catches and over 1,000 receiving yards in his career and more than held his own in Power Four games against Kentucky and Cincinnati last season.
9) Kiael Kelly, CB
If you follow the NFL Draft, you might hear an analyst say that teams like to “bet on traits.” That’s the story here for Kiael Kelly, one of Ball State’s quarterbacks last year and a guy who ran for over 700 yards. The staff is moving him to cornerback, where he’ll be a huge question mark. But in a secondary with few proven commodities, he could be an instant impact player.
8) Justin Bowick, WR
It feels weird to put a Division II transfer on the list of key returners, but Justin Bowick is a huge target who can make contested catches for the Cardinals. The Eastern Illinois transfer will be important to the Ball State offense because, in the past, the Cardinals haven’t had secondary and tertiary options; he can prevent the offense from getting too one-dimensional.
7) Damon Kaylor, OT
Damon Kaylor has played multiple positions along the offensive line as a three-year starter for the Cardinals, and he may be asked to play another new spot in 2024. Kaylor, after starting at right tackle last season, looks like he’s going to play left tackle this season. He’s never been spectacular, but he’s a steady veteran presence for the Cardinals.
6) Qian Magwood, WR
Qian Magwood was one of the lone bright spots for a poor passing offense last season, catching 41 passes on a team that only completed 180 the entire season. Magwood primarily operated out of the slot and underneath, with an average depth of target of just 7.7 — hopefully, he’ll be able to find more room in 2024.
5) Taran Tyo, OG
Taran Tyo is one of three offensive linemen on this list and was a solid pass blocker at right guard for the Cardinals. Given the inexperience at the quarterback position, Tyo will be vitally important this season because interior pressure can kill the confidence of any player. Tyo has experience at multiple positions and could play any of the five offensive line spots in a pinch.
READ MORE: MAC Strength of Schedule
4) Tanner Koziol, TE
Tanner Koziol is more of a receiving threat than a blocker, but he put up some decent numbers last year, racking up 295 yards and a team-leading three receiving touchdowns. He’s a big-bodied red-zone target who can go up and get balls high in the air.
3) Keionte Newson, LB
Keionte Newson is the most experienced player on a very inexperienced defense, and he’s going to need to be fantastic if the Cardinals are going to be better than poor on that side of the ball. He was the leading tackler last season for the Cardinals and added 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
2) Ty Robinson, WR
For all of Ball State’s issues in the passing game, Ty Robinson was an early bright spot at receiver for the Cardinals, leading the team in receiving yards against Kentucky and giving the offense some semblance of verticality. However, he got hurt against Georgia in Week 2 and missed the rest of the season. When healthy, Robinson completely changes the offense, stretching the defense and giving Magwood space to work underneath.
1) Jon Mucciolo, OG
Jon Mucciolo is the unquestioned leader on an offensive line that needs a strong season in 2024. A starter last year for the Cardinals after transferring up from Sacred Heart, Mucciolo is an elite pass blocker who allowed just two pressures all season.
The rest of the offensive line is largely unproven, so Mucciolo will need to be his typically solid self if the Cardinals want to improve last year’s inconsistent offense.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!