Indiana gains huge transfer in DL Samuels

Indiana picked up defensive tackle Kayton Samuels as a graduate transfer from Syracuse on Sunday. The 6-foot, 319-pound Samuels, who announced his intentions through social media, will have one year of eligibility remaining with the Hoosiers. As a grad transfer, he will be able to play next fall. In three seasons at Syracuse, Samuels started 24 games and totaled 44 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. Last season as a redshirt junior, he shared time at nose tackle with junior McKinley Williams, who is expected to start for the Orange in 2018. Samuels started seven of 12 games and finished the season with 12 tackles, two quarterback pressures and one sack. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Samuels started all 12 games at nose tackle and had 15 tackles. He was named to the All-ACC academic team. "This past journey has been a stressful one for me," Samuels wrote in announcing his move. " ... Felt like I lost myself without the game. I'm even more grateful for it now. I'm extremely happy to say I'm back and I'm better." Samuels, a Georgia native, visited Bloomington during the weekend of Indiana's spring game. He also was considering Memphis and Houston. With the Hoosiers, Samuels is expected to compete at nose tackle with fifth-year seniors Ja'Merez Bowen and Michael Barwick. Indiana has gained two other graduate transfers during the offseason. Offensive lineman from Miami Nick Linder and former Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins will join the program next season. Meanwhile, Syracuse has lost six players to transfers during the offseason.