Indiana's special teams have received a significant boost for the year 2025 with the arrivals of two key players through the transfer portal. This development is set to have a major impact on the team's performance and strategies.

Transfers Transform Indiana's Special Teams for 2025

UCF Punter Mitch McCarthy

Mitch McCarthy, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 230 pounds, is a product of Australia. He has an extensive punting experience, having punted 115 times over 37 games. His career average is an impressive 43 yards per kick, with an even better 44.1 yards in 2024. This placed him at the 42nd best average in the nation, just a few spots behind current IU punter James Evans. In 2024 alone, he was 52nd nationally with 18 punts inside the 20 and 23rd in hangtime at 3.99 seconds per kick. With one season of eligibility remaining, McCarthy is set to make a big impact on Indiana's special teams.Another aspect of McCarthy's game is his ability to control the field position. His consistent punting distances give the Indiana defense a better chance to set up their plays. His experience and skills make him a valuable addition to the team.

Texas State Kicker Brendan Franke

Brendan Franke is likely to step in as Indiana's kickoff specialist and may also handle longer field goal attempts. In 2024 for Texas State, he kicked touchbacks on 64 of 78 kickoffs, which is an impressive 82%. According to PFF, he was graded No. 11 in the nation for kickoffs. His kickoff average was 70.2 yards, good for sixth best nationally, and he had the 11th lowest return percentage among kickers with at least 50 kickoffs.Franke enrolled at Texas State in January 2024 and has a proven track record. In his previous stints at Georgia Southern (2023) and Nebraska (2021-22), he registered a touchback rate of 63 percent (83-of-132) over 3 years. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 255 pounds, Franke has one year of eligibility remaining and is expected to bring his skills and experience to Indiana.His ability to consistently deliver touchbacks and long kickoffs gives Indiana an advantage in starting their drives from good field positions. His performance and potential make him a key player in the team's special teams.For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE. The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”