Montana State corner Carson Williams commits to Indiana secondary

Carson Williams, a redshirt freshman cornerback from Montana State, committed to Indiana following a weekend visit on Jan. 11. The move adds a young, productive defender to the Hoosiers' secondary as Indiana works through an active January portal window and reloads after a deep College Football Playoff run.

Williams posted 46 tackles in 2025, broke up multiple passes and earned FCS Freshman All-America type recognition for his play. That body of work at the FCS level signals both immediate tackling and coverage instincts, and he arrives with multiple seasons of eligibility remaining. For a program balancing short-term needs and long-range roster planning, that timeframe matters: Williams can contribute now while still representing a multi-year investment in the secondary.

Indiana’s portal activity this month has focused on adding depth and competition across the roster. Williams fits squarely into that plan by providing cornerback depth and special teams upside without occupying a one-year emergency slot. His tape from the FCS season shows physical play near the line of scrimmage and the ability to stick with receivers long enough to force pass breakups, traits that translate to slot and boundary work at the FBS level. How coaches deploy him will depend on spring reps and matchup needs, but having a young player with production and eligibility creates flexibility for Indiana’s defensive staff.

For the FCS community this transfer serves as another reminder of how the FCS-to-FBS pipeline feeds Power Five needs with players who arrive experienced and hungry. Williams’ redshirt year allowed him to mature physically and mentally, and his 2025 season put him on the map for programs seeking cornerback depth. Montana State’s development process is on display for FCS programs that aim to prepare players for the next level.

Practical takeaways for Indiana fans: expect Williams to battle for snaps in spring practice and to see early opportunities on special teams. For roster managers, his multi-year eligibility is a roster-builder’s asset in an otherwise frenetic January. For FCS followers, this is a development win worth tracking—freshman production can translate quickly when opportunity and fit align.

Our two cents? Watch spring reps and early fall camp to see where Williams lands on the depth chart; if he adapts quickly, he could be a steady piece of Indiana’s secondary for seasons to come.