The MAC Freshman of the Year and the FBS’s fourth-place receptions leader are among the Cardinals in the portal.
When a head coaching change happens in the modern age, it’s not uncommon to see a mass exodus of the roster the coach recruited.
That is the case at Ball State, following the firing of head coach Mike Neu on Nov. 16. The Cardinals have since witnessed an influx of outgoing transfers. As of the night of Monday, Dec. 9, here are key Cardinals (starters and frequent rotation players) who have entered the portal:
Kadin Semonza, QB
Kadin Semonza was named the MAC Freshman of the Year last week, becoming the first Ball State player to win it since 2008 and the first quarterback to win it since 2019. Semonza manufactured a respectable passing offense in Muncie throughout conference play, and he currently ranks 24th in passing yards in the FBS and first in the MAC at 2,904. The redshirt freshman posted the sixth-most prolific passing season in Ball State history, adding to his yardage total 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He surpassed 300 yards on three occasions this season and threw four touchdowns in two games.
Tanner Koziol, TE
Tanner Koziol would have received a First Team All-MAC bid in nearly every other year in history except 2024 when Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. is enjoying a historic record-breaking season. The star tight end ranks fourth in the entire FBS — including wide receivers — with 94 receptions and he has 839 receiving yards to rank fifth among all FBS tight ends. Koziol caught nine passes or more in seven games and finished the final year of his Ball State tenure with eight touchdowns. With 163 career receptions in three seasons, he ranks 10th in program history in the statistic. Koziol previously transferred to Louisville last December, but he de-committed in January to remain at Ball State for 2024.
Cam Pickett, WR
Cam Pickett landed on the All-MAC Third Team after a breakout sophomore season. Pickett received zero playing time in his first two years on campus, but the second he stepped onto the field, he proved to be a valuable offensive piece. Pickett ranked second on Ball State in receptions (49) and receiving yards (524) and first among wide receivers in the categories. The speedy receiver was utilized quite often in the run game, mainly on jet sweeps, as he added 170 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns in that facet.
Qian Magwood, WR
Qian Magwood was another fixture in Ball State’s receiving corps. Magwood led all 2023 Cardinals with 41 receptions and 358 yards in a breakthrough sophomore campaign. The Hilltop, OH native saw a slight dip in production as a junior with 23 receptions and 207 yards, but his four touchdown snags still ranked second on the roster. Although he did not see any action, Magwood was a member of the 2020 MAC champion team — one of the few remaining members.
Justin Bowick, WR
Justin Bowick only played four games as a Cardinal, but they were four very impactful games. Bowick was a bona fide star on midweek MACtion in November, coming out of his shell to become the team’s No. 1 receiver down the stretch. On Nov. 5 vs. Miami (OH), he caught eight balls for 171 yards and a touchdown. The following Tuesday at Buffalo, he posted seven receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Bowick arrived from Eastern Illinois of the FCS, but after a brief and successful stint in Muncie, the viable vertical threat is spending another offseason in the portal.
Kiael Kelly, QB/WR
Kiael Kelly entered the transfer portal back in April after Kadin Semonza won the starting quarterback job, but Kelly ultimately returned to Ball State to pursue a different role. Originally the former quarterback was slated to play defensive back, but Mike Neu and his staff found a more effective role for the stellar athlete as a wildcat quarterback/wide receiver. Kelly was Ball State’s primary starting quarterback in 2023 logging a team-high six starts. He threw for 577 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, but was renowned more for his work on the ground — 724 yards and seven touchdowns that season. That mobility allowed him to find a way back into the offense in 2024, where he rushed 35 times.
Vaughn Pemberton, RB
Vaughn Pemberton ended the 2024 campaign as Ball State’s second-leading rusher behind Braedon Sloan. Pemberton averaged 4.6 yards per carry, posting 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his junior campaign. He held a role as a secondary tailback for three-straight seasons and spent a total of four years in Muncie before entering the portal.
Myles Norwood, CB
Myles Norwood served as Ball State’s top cover corner this season. Norwood deflected a team-high 10 passes, along with picking up 38 tackles and two tackles for loss. It was the cornerback’s only year playing in Muncie, as he sat out the entire 2023 season after transferring in from Iowa State. After earning valuable experience, the redshirt junior from St. Louis, MO will now look for his third school.
Thailand Baldwin, CB
Thailand Baldwin spent two seasons as a rotation piece in Ball State’s defensive backfield. In 2023, the cornerback tallied 30 tackles and five pass breakups. In 2024, he added 23 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three pass breakups in addition to his first collegiate interception. Baldwin spent four total years in Muncie before entering the portal.
DD Snyder II, SS
DD Snyder II was one of Ball State’s more impactful defenders in 2024. The starting strong safety racked up 55 tackles to rank fifth on the team. He also registered two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and led the defense with 61 interception return yards. This past fall marked Snyder’s first year as a starter.
Taran Tyo, OT
Taran Tyo operated as the starting right tackle for Ball State in 2024. The 6’4”, 326 pound lineman presents expressive size and versatility. In 2023, he started the entire season as the Cardinals’ right guard. Tyo also dabbled as a reserve left guard during the 2022 campaign, spending three impactful years serving the Ball State offensive line.
Caden Johnson, ILB
Caden Johnson served as a rotation linebacker in Mike Neu’s final season at the helm. After seldom playing time as a redshirt freshman, Johnson became more of a fixture of the defense in 2024 where he generated 22 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. The Lexington, KY native will seek a new home after three seasons as a Cardinal.