Iowa State football's Eli Sanders and Cartevious Norton will enter the transfer portal
Iowa State football lost three players to the transfer portal Monday. All of the announcements were expected.
Tight end DeShawn Hanika announced his intent to transfer Monday morning. Running backs Eli Sanders and Cartevious Norton did the same Monday afternoon.
"First off, I would like to thank Iowa State University and Coach (Matt) Campbell for giving me an opportunity to chase my dreams," Norton wrote on X, formerly called Twitter. "With that being said I will be entering the transfer portal on Dec. 4 with 2 years of eligibility left."
Sanders wrote on X: "Thank you Coach Campbell and the entire Iowa state staff for giving me an opportunity to play for this program! With that being said, I am entering my name in the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility left."
Hanika's announcement was accompanied with these words:
"After a really long year and talking with my family, I have decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining."
Neither Norton nor Sanders, both sophomores, accompanied the team to Saturday’s 42-35 victory at Kansas State. When asked Saturday night if they’re likely headed to the portal, Campbell said:
"I would imagine. … Both of those guys going through some things personally … felt it was their best interest to work through personal situations, and our best interest to continue to make sure the guys that were ready to play in this football game were on the plane to come down here.”
Hanika, a redshirt senior, did not play this season after being charged in the state's sports gambling investigation. Hanika was alleged to have made 288 bets, with 70 on Iowa State basketball. He pleaded not guilty.
A Story County judge granted the prosecution's motion to dismiss Hanika’s misdemeanor tampering with records charge after the state waited too long to indict him.
Hanika played in 12 games in 2022, during which he caught 17 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
More: Iowa State football veteran tight end DeShawn Hanika unlikely to return this season
Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson is in his 51st year writing sports for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, on X @RandyPete, and at DesMoinesRegister.com/CyclonesTexts
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State's Cartevious Norton, Eli Sanders will enter transfer portal
