Former Arizona defensive back DJ Warnell transfers to Indiana

Former Arizona defensive back DJ Warnell is transferring to Indiana, he announced on his social media pages Wednesday afternoon. 

Warnell entered his name into the transfer portal but finished the spring practice schedule with the Wildcats. 

Warnell transfers to the Hoosiers as a graduate transfer.

Warnell, the 6-3, 200-pound defensive back from La Marque, Texas, transferred to Arizona after two seasons at UCLA and reunited with then-UA defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, who was an assistant for the Bruins. In two seasons at Arizona, Warnell was a key contributor to the Wildcats' special teams units and "dollar" package defense that features seven defensive backs. Warnell, who started two games at safety in 2022, appeared in 25 games and recorded 41 tackles, three sacks, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery in two seasons.

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This spring, Warnell was among the top reserve defensive backs in a secondary that returned four starters between Tacario Davis, Treydan Stukes, Gunner Maldonado and Dalton Johnson. In early looks at Arizona's "dollar" package on defense, Warnell was among the seven defensive backs used. He was also used at "gunner" on punt coverage. 

A move to Indiana could position the productive Warnell into the starting lineup at IU, which hosts former head coach Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies on Oct. 26 in Bloomington.