Donaven McCulley transfer: Six schools emerge early for former Indiana WR

Former Indiana receiver Donaven McCulley is officially in the transfer portal after announcing last week that he was going to redshirt for the rest of the season and look to transfer.

On3’s Pete Nakos has revealed six early schools to watch for McCulley.

According to Nakos, Ole Miss, Missouri, Cincinnati, Miami, Colorado and Michigan are early contenders for Donaven McCulley.

McCulley had two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown on the season for Indiana. He played in four of the first fives games for the Hoosiers, who are off to a 6-0 start.

Donaven McCulley started his career as a quarterback at Indiana before transitioning to receiver ahead of the 2022 season. As a freshman in 2021, he appeared in six games and made four starts. McCulley accounted for four total touchdowns and threw a pair of interceptions that year.

In 2022, his first season as a receiver, the Indianapolis native appeared in all 12 games, catching 16 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. He also had a rushing touchdown.

As a junior in 2023 he had his best year yet, catching 48 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns. He was named fourth-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele and also earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media.

There were high expectations for Donaven McCulley entering the 2024 season and it seemed as though he was going to be a perfect fit for the offense Curt Cignetti runs. However, he has now left the program and entered the transfer portal after making only two catches this year.

Even without McCulley having much of an impact, Indiana is off to a strong start in 2024. The Hoosiers are 6-0 (3-0) and ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll.

Indiana hasn’t played the toughest schedule yet, but the Hoosiers have also handled every team they have played. IU has yet to play a game that it did not win by at least 14 points.

Up next, the Hoosiers have a bye before hosting Nebraska on Oct. 19.