Cartevious Norton, Eli Sanders among departing ISU football players

AMES — Cartevious Norton and Eli Sanders — both of whom have started several games at tailback for Iowa State — are the biggest-name Cyclones who announced Monday on social media they’re entering the transfer portal.

Tight end DeShawn Hanika, safety Treyveon McGee and wide receiver Greg Gaines also declared their intent to transfer to a different program.

Norton and Sanders, both sophomores, did not make the trip to Kansas State last weekend, which made their announcements today unsurprising.

Norton started seven games in the past two seasons and rushed for 343 yards on 97 carries this season while scoring three touchdowns. Sanders, who started six games in the past two seasons, turned 102 carries into 477 yards and four rushing touchdowns this fall.

Hanika caught 17 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns in the 2022 season. He was suspended this season after being charged as part of the state’s gambling investigation. The case against him was eventually dismissed. McGee and Gaines played primarily on special teams this season.