By Ball State Athletics—
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State football coach Mike Uremovich has announced the enrollment of 25 new student-athletes who have arrived on campus and begun taking classes in the Spring 2025 semester. The first class of student-athletes to arrive under Uremovich’s watch includes 15 transfers, five mid-year freshman enrollees who signed with the Cardinals in December, and five grayshirt student-athletes who delayed their enrollment after signing with Ball State a year ago.
The impressive list of transfers features a pair of all-conference selections from last season. Thirteen of the 15 transfers have spent time at a host of notable FBS programs: Coastal Carolina, Colorado, Connecticut, Duke, Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Missouri, Northern Illinois, Old Dominion, Purdue, Rutgers, Vanderbilt and Western Michigan. All 20 mid-year enrollees are expected to participate in spring drills later this semester.
Ball State’s 2025 Mid-Year Enrollees – Transfers
Qua Ashley – RB, 5-10, 195, R-Jr., Dublin, Ga./Kennesaw State
Brody Boehm – K, 5-11, 200, R-Fr., Westfield, Ind./Missouri
Drew Cassens – TE, 6-3, 250, R-Sr., Downers Grove, Ill./Butler
Alfred Chea – Sniper, 6-3, 220, R-Sr., Jacksonville, Fla./Connecticut
Michael Gravely Jr. – S, 6-1, 205, R-Sr., Cleveland, Ohio/Western Michigan
Elijah Jackson – RB, 5-10, 191, R.-So., Indianapolis, Ind./Purdue
Ashton Nawrocki – DL, 6-2, 235, Jr., Elmhurst, Ill./Butler
Roman Pearson – CB, 6-2, 195, R-Jr., Pickerington, Ohio/Bucknell
Deondre Shepherd – DB, 5-10, 180, R-Fr., McKinney, Texas/Coastal Carolina
Avery Stuart – DB, 6-2, 196, R-So., Montgomery, Ala./Kentucky
Walter Taylor III – QB, 6-5, 235, R-Jr., Jackson, Ala./Colorado
Nathan Voorhis – DL, 6-4, 253, Sr., Stroudsburg, Pa./Bryant
Eric Weatherly – WR, 5-8, 180, R-Jr., St. John’s, Fla./Bucknell
Ashton Whitner – S, 5-11, 198, R-Jr., Greenville, S.C./Old Dominion
Micah Wing – LB, 6-4, 225, R-Jr., Wilmington, Del./Dodge City CC
Ball State’s 2025 Mid-Year Enrollees – Incoming Freshmen:
Tobi Adewoyin – S, 6-1, 185, Fr., Atlanta, Ga./North Atlanta HS
* Brady Barrowman – OL, 6-5, 275, Fr., Minooka, Ill./Minooka HS
Kamron Chamble – S, 6-0, 175, Fr., Port Orange, Fla./Spruce Creek HS
Elisha Durham – WR, 6-2, 165, Fr., West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield
* Ryan Eldridge – OL, 6-6, 260, Fr., Goshen, Ind./Goshen HS
Donovan Lanier – CB, 6-0, 170, Fr., Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange HS
* Mason Riggins – TE, 6-6, 235, Fr., Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville HS
Michael Thacker – DT, 6-1, 272, Fr., New Palestine, Ind./ New Palestine HS
* DJ Williams – RB, 5-10, 195, Fr., Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch HS
* CJ Zeltwanger – OL, 6-5, 305, Fr., West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison HS
* Grayshirt student-athletes who signed with Ball State in December 2023, but delayed their enrollment
More on each new signee can be found below:
Tobi Adewoyin – S, 6-1, 185, Fr., Atlanta, Ga./North Atlanta HS
Classified as an “athlete” and honored as an all-league safety and return specialist at 6A North Atlanta HS … returned two kickoffs for touchdown in 2024, in addition to four interceptions and 10 pass break-ups … flipped his commitment to Ball State from Kennesaw State following the announcement of Ball State’s new coaching staff … also recruited by Louisville and Northwestern; service academies Air Force, Army and Navy; and MAC schools Central Michigan and Miami.
Qua Ashley – RB, 5-10, 195, R-Jr., Dublin, Ga./Kennesaw State
Ashley arrives at Ball State with two seasons of eligibility after three years at Kennesaw State … All-CUSA kick returner and honorable mention All-CUSA at running back … his 29.4-yard kickoff return average would have been the third-highest among FBS programs last season had he not played for a reclassifying school … he was one of just three players nationally with two kickoff returns for touchdown … had a 97-yard KOR for TD at UTEP (11/9) and a 93-yard return for TD vs. Jacksonville State (10/4) … named an All-American and National Kick Returner of the Year by College Football Network … out of the backfield, he led the Owls in receptions and all-purpose yards in 2024, and was the team’s second-leading rusher … carried 122 times for 436 yards, one touchdown and 3.4 yards per rush … caught 28 passes for 255 yards, one TD and 9.1 yards per catch … big plays included a 60-yard run at Middle Tennessee and a 51-yard catch at UTSA … he averaged 99.4 all-purpose yards per game … appeared in six games as a redshirt freshman in 2023 and did not see action in 2022 … decorated career at Dublin High School included a trip to the GHSA stats playoffs as a senior, and a 2019 state title as a sophomore … two-way star in high school playing running back and safety, he was an all-region selection in both football and basketball.
Brody Boehm – K, 5-11, 200, R-Fr., Westfield, Ind./Missouri
Boehm transfers to the Cardinals after a freshman year at Missouri in which he saw no action … completed a standout prep career at Westfield HS … successfully converted 6-of-12 field goals and 48-of-49 PATs as a senior … booted 46 of 67 kickoffs for touchbacks … also averaged 37.3 yards per punt … rated as one of the nation’s top 20 kickers by Kohl’s Kicking Camps … named a U.S. Army All-American as a senior.
Drew Cassens – TE, 6-3, 250, R-Sr., Downers Grove, Ill./Butler
Grad student transfers to Ball State, following Uremovich and his staff from Butler … he played one year at Butler after three seasons and a transfer from Northern Illinois … caught 10 passes for 126 yards in 2024 … appeared in 26 games over three seasons at NIU, mostly on special teams … played in 10 games as a freshman in 2021, four in 2022 and 12 as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 … two-way starter at quarterback and safety for Downers Grove North HS, was the Trojans’ offensive MVP as a junior and senior.
Kamron Chamble – S, 6-0, 175, Fr., Port Orange, Fla./Spruce Creek HS
One of two mid-year enrollees who flipped prior commitments to Kennesaw State, following coaching changes in both programs … Chamble starred for four seasons at Spruce Creek HS where the Hawks finished 28-15 during his prep career … as a sophomore in 2022, he led his area with five interceptions, and followed with four interceptions as a junior … as a senior in 2024, he made 73 tackles, broke up eight passes and grabbed two picks … regarded as a hard-hitting safety, he added 13 catches for 122 yards as a receiver as Spruce Creek advanced to the 7A regional semifinals.
Alfred Chea – Sniper, 6-3, 220, R-Sr., Jacksonville, Fla./Connecticut
A linebacker at UConn since 2020, Chea reports to the Cardinals with one season of eligibility … 13-game contributor for the Huskies last season including a victory in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl against North Carolina … finished the season with eight tackles and a fumble recovery … played 12 games in 2023 and earned a redshirt in 2022 with just four games of action … participated in 11 games as a true freshman, and did not play in the 2020 campaign … played in the secondary at First Coast High School in Jacksonville where he posted 54 tackles in six games in 2019 … added six PBUs, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … was a team captain at First Coast as a senior.
Elisha Durham – WR, 6-2, 165, Fr., West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield
Highly-regarded, Detroit-area wide receiver chose Ball State over Wisconsin and a host of offers from other Mid-American conference schools … long and lanky, he collected 2,041 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns over two varsity seasons at West Bloomfield HS … had 1,124 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, and got 917 yards and 11 more TDs as a senior … his 11 touchdowns each season set a school record.
Michael Gravely Jr. – S, 6-1, 205, R-Sr., Cleveland, Ohio/Western Michigan
Transfer from Western Michigan who appeared in six games for the Broncos in 2024, after playing for NJCAA champion College of Dupage in 2023 … he reports to the Cardinals with one year of eligibility … posted three tackles last season … had 36 tackles (28 solo) with 4.5 tackles for loss for DuPage, along with one sack, one interception, three pass break-ups and a fumble recovery … enrolled at Michigan State in January 2021 and earned a redshirt with the Spartans in the 2021 season, following a first-team all-state campaign as a senior at Euclid High School in Ohio … entered college ranked the third-best safety in Ohio by Rivals.com, and No. 36 overall.
Elijah Jackson – RB, 5-10, 191, R.-So., Indianapolis, Ind./Purdue
Former Purdue and Indianapolis prep star transfers to Ball State with three seasons of eligibility … speedster boasts a 10.47 time in the 100 meters and was the 2023 IHSAA state champion in the 100m at Lawrence Central HS … former walk-on was Purdue’s top kickoff returner last year, averaging 18.1 yards over eight returns … carried six times for 97 yards as a redshirt freshman for the Boilermakers, scoring on a 69-yard run against Indiana State in the 2024 season opener … three carries for 83 yards in his opening game, had two carries at Wisconsin and one vs. Penn State … 1,237 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over his last two seasons at Lawrence Central, where he saw time at RB, WR, CB and kick returner.
Donovan Lanier – CB, 6-0, 170, Fr., Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange HS
Four-year varsity cornerback for West Orange High School … finished his high school career with 103 total tackles, 61 solo tackles, nine interceptions, three caused fumbles and two TDs … part of the Warriors team that made an appearance in Class 7A FHSAA state semifinals his senior year.
Ashton Nawrocki – DL, 6-2, 235, Jr., Elmhurst, Ill./Butler
Transfer from Butler with two years of eligibility … played in 17 games over two seasons with the Bulldogs, recording 19 tackles (13 solo) … recorded two tackles for loss, both sacks, and three pass deflections … recorded a sack in consecutive games in 2024, at Valparaiso (11/9) and against St. Thomas (11/16) … career-high four tackles as a freshman at Morehead State (11/4) … was part of the winningest team in York HS football history, winning a conference championship and reaching the semi-state round of the IHSA playoffs as a senior … helped York go 12-1 overall with an 8-0 conference record … made 44 tackles including 18.5 tackles for loss … credited with 8.5 sacks … all-conference lineman was the West Suburban Conference co-defensive lineman of the year … earned Academic All-State recognition.
Roman Pearson – CB, 6-2, 195, R-Jr., Pickerington, Ohio/Bucknell
Two-year starter at Bucknell arrives at Ball State with two seasons of eligibility remaining … played in all 12 games for the Bison last season, making 11 starts at cornerback … seventh on the team with 40 tackles (31 solo) … had two interceptions, nine pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for a loss … recorded interceptions in consecutive games against Cornell and Georgetown … had a career-high four pass break-ups against Cornell … played 10 games and made seven starts as a redshirt freshman … registered 21 tackles (14 solo), two interceptions, six pass break-ups and a forced fumble … recorded first career interception against Penn … helped Pickerington HS to a 2019 state title and a state runner-up finish in 2020 … son of former NFL and Ohio State running back Pepe Pearson.
Deondre Shepherd – DB, 5-10, 180, R-Fr., McKinney, Texas/Coastal Carolina
Redshirt freshman appeared in one game last season for Coastal Carolina … transfers to Ball State with four years of eligibility … a first-team all-district honoree at McKinney HS in Texas, he led the Lions to a 9-3 record as a senior in 2023 while starring under secondary coach and current Ball State assistant coach Mayomi Olootu.
Avery Stuart – DB, 6-2, 196, R-So., Montgomery, Ala./Kentucky
Former four-star secondary recruit transfers to Ball State from Kentucky, with three seasons of eligibility … saw action in two games as a redshirt freshman last year with the Wildcats, against Ohio and Murray State … saw action in one game as a true freshman, against Akron … four-star recruit by multiple publications was ranked as high as the No. 19 prospect in Alabama and the No. 29 cornerback in the country … four-year starter at Alabama Christian Academy … played on both sides of the ball, as a cornerback and wide receiver … as a WR, made nine catches for 228 yards and five TDs as a senior … initially chose Kentucky over offers that included Auburn, Florida State, Oklahoma and Penn State.
Walter Taylor III – QB, 6-5, 235, R-Jr., Jackson, Ala./Colorado
Arrives at Ball State as a big, strong dual-threat quarterback … transfer from Colorado who did not see action in lone season with the Buffaloes … transferred to CU from Vanderbilt where he appeared in five games in 2023 and earned a redshirt in 2022 … five completions for 44 yards and 30 rushes for 103 yards and a touchdown in 2023 with Vandy, and scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 2-yard run at Ole Miss … three-star prospect out of Jackson HS in Alabama … On3 listed him as the No. 20 quarterback in the class and No. 15 player from Alabama … ESPN ranked him as the No. 52 quarterback in the class and No. 46 player from Alabama … led Jackson to Alabama Class 4-A state semifinals as a senior, earning Back of the Year in the class from the Alabama Sports Writers Association … Jackson went 11-3 during his senior campaign after throwing for 3,405 yards and 40 touchdowns while completing 62.9 percent of passes … ran for 613 yards and 10 touchdowns, caught one touchdown pass … cousin, Darius Slayton, plays for the New York Giants.
Michael Thacker – DT, 6-1, 272, Fr., New Palestine, Ind./ New Palestine HS
Senior leader on defense for the IHSAA Class 4A state champion and undefeated New Palestine Dragons … finished his high school career with over 100 tackles for loss … completed senior campaign with 10 sacks, two fumble recoveries and 33 QB hurries on route to a 14-0-1 record and state title as a senior … he also picked off a pass, forced a fumble and blocked a punt while earning a spot on the Indianapolis Star’s 2024 Super Team and the IFCA’s Top 50 All-State Team … helped the Dragons to a semi-state championship appearance his junior year … finished his high school career with a total of 339 tackles, 232 solo tackles, 35.5 sacks, two blocked punts and six forced fumbles … he is the younger brother of current Ball State wide receiver Isaiah Thacker.
Nathan Voorhis – DL, 6-4, 253, Sr., Stroudsburg, Pa./Bryant
Defensive lineman and edge rusher transfers to the Cardinals after three seasons with UConn and Bryant … played in 11 games last season for Bryant, receiving his most extensive playing time with 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a forced fumble … had a streak of five straight games with a sack, including two against Richmond … career-high eight tackles at Maine … appeared in 11 games for UConn in 2023, and 10 with the Huskies in 2022 … two-time all-conference star at Stroudsburg HS in Pennsylvania … as a senior was first-team all-conference at defensive end, and a second-team selection as a tight end.
Eric Weatherly – WR, 5-8, 180, R-Jr., St. John’s, Fla./Bucknell
First-team All-Patriot League wideout comes to Ball State with two seasons of eligibility … began his career with the 2022 season at Duke, but transferred to Bucknell where he caught 117 passes for 1,468 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons … boasts five games with 100+ receiving yards the past two seasons, and three with 10+ receptions … also averaged 19.4 yards per return on 23 kickoff returns, and 8.2 yards on 23 punt returns during the 2023 and 2024 seasons … started all 12 games last year and led the Bison with 75 catches for 865 yards and eight TDs … led the Patriot League in receiving yards and TDs … had at least five receptions in 10 games and eclipsed 10 catches twice … career highs of 11 catches and 175 yards, with two TDs, in a win over Colgate … 10 receptions, 129 yards and two TDs against Holy Cross … played in 11 games and made seven starts as a redshirt freshman in 2023, finishing second on the team with 42 receptions and 603 receiving yards … finished fourth in the Patriot League with seven receiving scores … appeared in two games with Duke in 2022, against North Carolina A&T and Kansas … three-star prospect out of Bartram Trail HS where he was charted by ESPN.com as the No. 54 receiver in the nation and No. 99 prospect out of Florida … posted 4,210 all-purpose yards over four seasons, while leading Bartram Trail to a 47-13 overall record with four state playoff appearances.
Ashton Whitner – S, 5-11, 198, R-Jr., Greenville, S.C./Old Dominion
Whitner appeared in 19 games with three starts over the past two years with Old Dominion … he earned a redshirt during a true freshman season with no action at Georgia Southern … posted 26 tackles last season over six games, including a season-high nine stops against Marshall, and six against Virginia Tech … played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman for the Monarchs, recording 26 tackles with an interception … season-high 10 tackles at Liberty … made his first college start against Georgia State, totaling four tackles with his first INT … had four tackles in the Famous Toastery Bowl against Western Kentucky … three-star recruit was rated as the No. 30 player in the state of South Carolina, per ESPN.com … three-time all-region selection at Greenville HS.
Micah Wing – LB, 6-4, 225, R-Jr., Wilmington, Del./Dodge City CC
Linebacker played eight games for Dodge City Community College, after originally attending Rutgers in 2022 … tallied 21 tackles (11 solo) with 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks for the Conquistadors in 2024 … former three-star signee made his college debut for Rutgers, against Boston College, and played in four games for the Scarlet Knights prior to entering the transfer portal in April 2023 … did not play in the ’23 season and wound up at Dodge City last year … defensive end recruit from Salesianum HS in Wilmington, Delaware, earned offers from programs such as Arizona, Boston College, East Carolina, Kansas, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple and Virginia Tech before committing to the Scarlet Knights.
Under the leadership of new head coach Mike Uremovich, season tickets for the 2025 Ball State football season are on sale now. Learn more at BallStateSports.com/2025Football.
