Zachman, who was twice named Academic All-Big Ten, spent two years as a key figure on the back end of the Badgers’ defense before missing most of 2025 due to a season-ending injury. He was among a large list of visitors to IU over the weekend as Curt Cignetti and his staff looked ahead to the upcoming season.
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Now Zachman, the Hoosiers’ first portal commitment of this window, will be part of that future.
Here’s what you need to know about IU’s newest security.
Preston Zachman Statistics
Zachman was a fixture for Wisconsin in Luke Fickell’s first two seasons in Madison.
The Elysburg, Pennsylvania, native appeared in 25 games during 2023-24, recording 107 tackles, 11 passes defended and four interceptions.
In particular, he excelled in coverage, where he earned an 87.2 grade from PFF. That ranks sixth among the Big Ten safeties.
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Preston Zachman injury
Zachman hoped to play a key role in Fickell’s Badger resurgence this fall, before an unspecified lower leg injury suffered in Wisconsin’s loss to Alabama sidelined the sixth-year safety.
For a while there was hope that Zachman could return to Wisconsin this season. It wasn’t until the week the Badgers lost at Indiana that he was officially ruled out for the season. Zachman will seek a medical exemption to restore that final year of eligibility.
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Preston Zachman Eligibility
Zachman will play his seventh collegiate season in 2026.
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He is among a dwindling number of players still taking advantage of the additional eligibility allowed by COVID. Zachman signed with Wisconsin in 2020, but appeared in just one game during his first two years in college and then wore his regular redshirt.
Next season will be his last at the university.
How Preston Zachman fits into IU football
Indiana will want at least one experienced safety in the mix next season, with Louis Moore (78 tackles, six interceptions) out of eligibility.
Amare Ferrell, who also has one year of eligibility remaining, may have a decision to make in the NFL draft. His departure would likely increase IU’s need at the position.
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But for now, Zachman fills the position Moore will vacate on the depth chart, allowing the Hoosiers more time to develop young players like Byron Baldwin Jr. and Jah Jah Boyd. Baldwin will also be among the candidates for IU’s hybrid nickel position, what Bryant Haines’ defense calls the rover, next season.
Preston Zachman Highlights
Here’s Zachman connected to Wisconsin:
Going back in time, his high school highlights are the most available.
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This article originally appeared in Indianapolis Star: Preston Zachman commits to Indiana football in transfer portal