With the 2026 Indiana football season rapidly approaching, we’re going through the Hoosiers’ roster with position by position previews as the program moves into a post-national title era.
We’ll be previewing the offense first this week with the defense following next week. Follow along!
Safeties
Amare Ferrell – Sr
Ferrell is Indiana’s lone returning starter at safety with both Louis Moore and Devan Boykin off to the NFL this offseason.
He’s experienced within the system, having started in both 2024 and 2025 after
being part of the rotation under Tom Allen as a freshman in 2023.
Ferrell manned the free safety spot and stayed disciplined in coverage while pulling in interceptions against Old Dominion, Illinois, Iowa and Purdue, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors from the conference media and an honorable mention nod from the coaches.
He’s as reliable as it gets in the back end of a defense and Indiana is way better in 2026 for his return.
Preston Zachman – 7th (lots of injuries, man)
Indiana added Zachman through the transfer portal this offseason after he spent the previous six seasons with Wisconsin. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2020, saw no snaps due to injury in 2021, suffered a season ending injury after six games in 2022 and suffered another after three games in 2025.
Obviously, Zachman has seen a lot of football, probably about as much as a collegiate player can while maintaining eligibility. He appeared in 35 games over those six seasons with the Badgers and started in 20 of those appearances. He’s a factor when he’s on the field.
He seems in line to take over for Louis Moore at strong safety and would form a dangerously experienced back end alongside Ferrell.
Byron Baldwin Jr – So
Baldwin Jr. is one of the most promising young stars on Indiana’s roster, with his work ethic in practice evoking that of D’Angelo Ponds.
He missed much of the first half of his freshman season in 2025 due to injury but was a strong enough contributor when he saw the field that the staff saw fit to burn his redshirt. He ended up appearing in eight games, contributing largely on special teams with some strong relief play as well.
Baldwin’s one to watch at the rover spot, that of Boykin before him, and gives Haines and Ola Adams a tremendous weapon to work with and develop simultaneously.
Quan Sanks
Sanks joined Indiana through the transfer portal this offseason after spending the previous two seasons with Cincinnati. He was a starter in half of his 24 appearances for the Bearcats in those seasons, so he brings some strong experience to the room.
He’d figure into the question at rover but has a size disadvantage over the larger Baldwin for that spot. There’s reason to believe Sanks could be more of a long-term play in addition to contributing this season, he’s shown both potential and room for growth in his career up to this point.
The Depth
The bulk of Indiana’s snaps at safety will come from the above group. Behind them is a pretty inexperienced mix that could factor in on special teams, in late game situations or as depth.
Anthony Chung and Clay Conner, both entering their fourth seasons of college football, have mostly been special teams contributors during their time with the Hoosiers. Heith Kizer, son of former Indiana letterwinner Bob Kizer, is entering his third season with the program but has yet to see game action. Seaonta Stewart Jr. redshirted as a freshman in 2025 and saw no game action.
Indiana has a pair of freshmen in Jamar Owens and D’Montae Tims, both consensus 3-star prospects. Given the depth ahead of them, it’s hard to project any playing time outside of special teams.
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