Indiana Defensive Lineman Hosea Wheeler Enters Transfer Portal After Championship Win

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Indiana Defensive Lineman Hosea Wheeler Enters Transfer Portal After Championship Win

Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers finished out the 2025 college football season on top, securing a perfect 16-0 record after defeating Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the national championship. On their way to the title, Indiana also knocked the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oregon Ducks out of the College Football Playoff.

Now, Cignetti will turn his attention to the 2026 college football season as the Hoosiers look to defend their title. Indiana is expected to lose Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cignetti had also lost 13 players to the NCAA transfer portal (247 Sports), but another departed on Thursday.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on before the 2026 Rose Bowl.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Hosea Wheeler, a 6-foot-3, 298-pound defensive tackle out of Elk Grove, California, was an unranked JUCO prospect in 2022 (247Sports). He appeared in nine games for Sacramento State College in 2021, tallying 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

After his lone season at the junior college, Wheeler committed to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, where he spent three seasons. He elected to redshirt in 2022 before earning a significant role for Western Kentucky in 2023. But 2024 was his best year, starting in all 14 games for the Hilltoppers and recording 75 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Wheeler transferred to Indiana for the 2025 season and appeared in every game, finishing with 31 tackles, four tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. However, following Indiana’s national championship win, Wheeler elected to enter the transfer portal on Thursday, becoming the 14th player Cignetti has lost to the portal.

“NEW: Indiana DL Hosea Wheeler has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos reports,” On3’s Transfer Portal wrote on X. “Wheeler totaled 31 tackles.”

While Cignetti and the Hoosiers have lost 14 players to the transfer portal, they have been able to bring in 17 new players as well. This includes former Tulsa Golden Hurricanes defensive tackle Joe Hjelle, who was a three-star transfer prospect.

Related: Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza Makes Admission About Raiders Owner Tom Brady

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos