Ball State Cardinals 2026 Season Preview

Two transfers will battle for the job, and there is a real chance both see meaningful snaps. Keldric Luster arrives by way of Texas State, with an earlier stop at SMU, and is a dual-threat option whose arm could push Ball State toward a more balanced attack after it threw the ball only a third of the time a year ago. Tyler Mizzell took an unusual route, moving from Wake Forest to Division II Concord, and profiles as more of a pass-first passer who still owns some mobility. Both impressed the staff in the spring and reportedly formed a fast friendship.

Whoever wins out replaces Kiael Kelly, who paced the team with 600 rushing yards while throwing for 1,583 and accounting for 16 touchdowns. That production was not enough to lift an offense that averaged just 15.8 points per game, so the bar for improvement is set low and the opportunity is clear.

The wideout room is deeper and faster than it was last fall, and it is viewed as an offensive strength. Donovan Hamilton is a potential all-conference performer after finishing second on the team with 244 yards on 20 catches. Senior Jamarion McDougle brings size, and Isaiah Thacker is a breakout candidate after managing only five catches across his first two seasons. Uremovich imported a cluster of transfers at the position, including CJ Nelson, Jabari Smith Jr., DJ Young and Corey Thompson Jr., adding smaller, quicker slot threats. Tate Hoover gives the offense an experienced tight end.

TJ Horton (60 carries, 180 yards) returns as the lead back alongside Jalen Bonds, the more physical of the pair, who closed the season with a couple of starts. The Cardinals must run the ball more effectively than they did a year ago for the passing game to open up.

This is the most settled unit on the offense, returning three starters including its center and both tackles. Tristan Cook is a potential all-conference tackle, and 6-10, 327-pound senior Chris Hood anchors the other edge, with Cole Mosier at center and Zach Bandy and Jacob Jeudy inside. The caveat is significant: the group surrendered a staggering 49 sacks in 2025, even with a mobile quarterback, and must prove that number was an aberration.

The front has real questions after the departure of Nathan Voorhis, who was an outsized playmaker with 17 tackles for loss and 12 of the team's 23 sacks. Replacing that pass rush is priority one. Rush end Jared Badie transfers in from San Diego State and is expected to make an immediate impact in what projects as his only season in Muncie. On the interior, the Cardinals need reserves to grow up: Ameir Glenn and Ben Marsh were rotational pieces a year ago, and Spencer Vaka is set to step up at nose guard. Stopping the run remains a stated concern.

The portal appears to have delivered the most help here. Gavin Forsha, from Tennessee State, and Cincear Lewis, from Cincinnati, each bring four years of experience and look like plug-and-play starters, with Lewis regarded as one of the team's top newcomers after impressing during spring work. Mikeah Webster took strides in his second year in the program and should carve out a larger role.

The back seven has a chance to be the strength of the defense. Willizhuan Yates is a three-year starter and the team's best cover man, credited with a team-high six breakups, one of the unit's nine interceptions and 33 tackles. DJ Fields, coming off a 34-tackle season, is a versatile veteran who could line up at corner or safety. Deondre Shepherd brings starting experience, and Purdue transfer Sterling Smith adds another option in the deep middle. Between Yates and Fields the secondary returns a strong core of veteran snaps.

Carson Holmer gets another shot at the placekicking job after winning it in the spring and then struggling, going just 3-for-7 on field goals with a long of only 23 yards while connecting on all 14 of his extra points. The punting job is open, with Cole Stumbaugh and Missouri transfer Brody Boehm competing to replace Adam Saul, who averaged 41.3 yards a year ago. Horton is the top kick returner and Yates handles punts.