Appalachian State WR transfer Makai Jackson signs with Indiana

Appalachian State wide receiver Makai Jackson has signed with Indiana out of the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned.

Jackson was a junior for the Mountaineers, coming off a breakout season in 2024. He finished his campaign with 46 catches for 745 yards and five touchdowns, nearly doubling his production from the prior year.

In two playing seasons with Appalachian State, Makai Jackson logged 73 catches for 1,163 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran five times for 90 yards and a score.

Jackson also contributed on special teams, where he returned nine kicks for 165 yards and two punts for 24 yards.

Prior to enrolling at Appalachian State, Makai Jackson suited up for St. Francis. As a true freshman for the Red Flash, Jackson hauled in 85 passes for 991 yards and eight touchdowns.

Jackson played high school football at Harry S Truman (Pennsylvania) High School, where he was an unrated prospect. He was not counted in the overall recruiting ranking in the 2022 cycle in the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Indiana also lands a portal quarterback

In addition to Makai Jackson, Indiana also landed a transfer portal quarterback on Christmas Eve.

California Golden Bears transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza is taking his talents Indiana, joining Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers via the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned.

Mendoza was a hot name in the portal after completing his third collegiate season, including a redshirt in his first year, at Cal. He has appeared in 20 games over the past two years with all but one of those being starts for the Golden Bears.

In those outings, Mendoza was 418-629 (66.5%) when passing for 4,712 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He also rushed for 191 yards and four more scores.

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this report.