- Makai Jackson joined Indiana football with his transfer commitment Dec. 24, 2024, but he is no longer on the team.
- Jackson figured to be a player who could fill a need as a starter after Michigan transfer Tyler Morris suffered a season-ending injury.
- Instead, Jackson preserves a year of eligibility and the Hoosiers offense rolls with Omar Cooper Jr. at that slot.
A senior wide receiver has left the Indiana football program, a source confirmed to IndyStar.
Makai Jackson played in four games for the Hoosiers but no longer appeared on the team’s roster, his page giving an error that read, “404, you tossed an air ball! The page you are looking for no longer exists.” Jackson had three catches for 15 yards this season, and dropped a ball from backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza against Indiana State.
IU needed receivers and filled that void in the transfer portal. Jackson committed to Curt Cignetti’s program Dec. 24. And it looked like he was going to have a role in an offense that was second nationally last season.
When IU lost slot receiver Tyler Morris to a season-ending injury, it opened up an opportunity for Jackson. But the Hoosiers landed Jonathan Brady as a late-cycle transfer from Cal.
It instead went to Omar Cooper Jr., who has 23 catches with team-highs of 432 yards receiving and six touchdowns (tied with Elijah Sarratt). Brady has added six catches for 47 yards and two scores, and has been an effective punt returner with a 91-yard touchdown in 12 tries (238 yards).
Jackson leaving the team after playing four games allows him to preserve his final season of eligibility. Prior to arriving at IU, he was building a solid career at Appalachian State.
In 25 games, Jackson caught 73 passes for 1,163 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 15.9 yards per catch per Sports Reference. He added 90 yards rushing on five carries with a score during the 2024 season.
Jackson, a 6-foot, 190-pound receiver, played high school football at Harry S Truman in Croydon, Pennsylvania.
Jackson was rated a three-star transfer, No. 221 nationally and No. 42 receiver, per the Rivals industry rankings.
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