Cardinals Excited to Open Spring Drills on Tuesday

Photo by: Cam Pippin/Ball State Athletics

March 21, 2026 | Football

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MUNCIE, Ind. -- Spring football year number two under head coach Mike Uremovich begins Tuesday, March 24, when 93 student-athletes engage in Practice No. 1 out of 15 NCAA spring practice sessions. The spring schedule includes the program's annual Spring Showcase with a full-contact scrimmage on Saturday, April 18 at Scheumann Stadium that is open to the public. The series of 15 full workouts concludes on Wednesday, April 22.

Uremovich welcomes 59 returning players from the 2025 roster that finished 4-8 in his first season with the Cardinals. Thirty-four newcomers, including 26 transfers, have joined the Ball State roster, with 19 more slated to arrive to Muncie this summer. The Cardinals are eager to get on the field after offseason publications ranked Ball State's transfer class the second-best in the Mid-American Conference.

Key returning players for the Cardinals include offensive linemen Tristan Cook, Chris Hood and Cole Mosier who all were starters a year ago. Other key offensive returners include running back TJ Horton, tight end Tate Hoover and small cast of receivers: Elisha Durham, Donovan Hamilton, Eli Hohlt, Jamarion McDougle and Isaiah Thacker. Key names returning on the defense include 2025 starters DJ Fields and Will Yates. Ameir Glenn, Ben Marsh and Spencer Vaka return on the defensive line. Returning outside linebackers include Sam Feeney, Layton Starks and Justin Thomas. Other returners in the secondary are Tobi Adewoyin, Cole Earlewine and Deondre Shepherd.

The Cardinals' 2026 training camp opens in late July prior to a season opener at Big Ten power Ohio State on September 5. A full schedule announcement is anticipated later this week.